Overcoming Fear of the Dentist

For most of us, a routine dental checkup is simple and quick, but for those with dental anxiety a trip to the dentist can be a scary prospect, or something to put off, sometimes indefinitely. The University of Adelaide estimates that about one in six Australian adults, and about one in ten children, experience dental anxiety.

Symptoms of dental anxiety

• Trouble sleeping the night before a dental exam
• Nervousness that escalates in the waiting room
• Crying or feeling physically unwell at the thought of visiting the dentist
• Intense uneasiness, or difficulty breathing, when objects are placed in the mouth during treatment

What causes dental anxiety?

Common causes include a bad early dental experience, a pre-existing anxiety disorder, a feeling of lack of control in the dental chair, a cycle of avoidance driven by a current dental condition, and simple biological discomfort with anything blocking the airway.

Two tips to overcome dental anxiety

Understand it: thinking through why you feel anxious makes it easier to find ways to deal with it, whether through distraction, meditation or clearer communication with your dentist.

Talk about it: a simple conversation, ideally with someone who does not share the same fear, can help you move forward with a bit more perspective.

Consider sleep dentistry

At United Smiles, our sleep dentistry methods provide a more relaxed and pleasant dental experience, using sedatives administered before any procedure. Our doctors and staff are ready to listen to your concerns, and through simple, genuine communication we hope to overcome your discomfort and anxiety about dentistry.

United Smiles is conveniently located in the heart of Mernda Village, serving patients from all Melbourne areas, with ample parking at the rear and wheelchair access at the front.