3 Common Dental Fears and How We Address Them

Millions of people around the world suffer from dental anxiety. It’s the butterflies you feel in your stomach at the thought of scheduling an appointment and your desire to be anyplace else once you’re in the dental chair.

Some people are so riddled with anxiety that their condition is considered dental phobia. This kind of intense anxiety can be so uncomfortable that many phobic patients choose to forgo treatment altogether.

Let’s take a look at four common fears and how your dentist in Fairfax, VA addresses them:

Fear of Pain

Let’s face it; nobody likes pain. You may have heard “horror stories” from family or friends, or you may have had your own negative experience earlier in life.

You should know that a lot has changed about modern dentistry, and updated technology and techniques now enable us to provide treatment that’s more comfortable and stress-free than ever before.

Fear of Injections

Even the most confident dental patients can get a twinge of anxiety when faced with an injection. The fear of the injection may also be worsened by a concern that it won’t work.

We understand, and we take every precaution to ensure that the process is as comfortable as possible. And we will never start treatment until we check that you are completely numb.

Fear of Loss of Control

You’re sitting there in the dental chair leaning back with your mouth wide open, and you’re surrounded by people who want to put their hands in your mouth. This situation can make it pretty difficult to feel like you have any control!

At Dr. Fairfax & Associates, we recommend that you use a hand signal if you’re getting overwhelmed and need us to stop for a few moments. If it’s a lengthy procedure, we’ll take occasional breaks to explain what’s happening and answer your questions, which puts some of the control back in your hands.

Dr. Fairfax Can Help You Get the Care You Need

We always encourage patients to open up to us because just talking about your concerns can help minimize your anxiety. Please don’t let dental anxiety ruin your oral health – call us today so we can help you get the comfortable, stress-free care you need.