Who’s afraid of the dentist?

Does the sound of a drill make you flinch or cringe? Do you worry about your twice-yearly dental checkup? Trust our team at Gentle Dental Associates when we say you’re not alone! In fact, the Journal of the American Dental Association has estimated that 30 to 40 million people have a fear of visiting the dentist.

To eliminate some of that fear, we’ve put together six steps to help you or your child overcome your dental anxiety before visiting our office.

1. What are you most afraid of? Is it the sound of the drill? Do you have needle phobia? Have you been traumatized by previous dental visits? Write down your fears, one by one.

2. Don’t wait. The more frequently you visit our office, the less work needs to be done at any one visit. Simply having your teeth cleaned professionally by one of our dentists twice a year—or as recommended—prevents many, if not most, problems.

3. Bring a distraction to your appointment. Bringing along an iPod is a great idea. Just plug in those earphones, close your eyes, and get lost in the music. Listening to music can also be a pain killer.

4. Relax. Inhale slowly, and count of five. Hold your breath for 10 seconds, then exhale slowly to the count of eight. Repeat. It's easier if you're not totally focused on the work going on inside your mouth.

5. Ask. Before any procedure, ask your dentist why we’re using the tools we’re using. Ask us what we're doing, what the tool is used for, and how it will benefit you during the appointment. Also, please ask about anti-anxiety medications that we may prescribe to help you relax during your appointment.

6. We are here to help you. Remember, we are health care professionals who want to improve your oral health, and will never judge you or the state of your mouth. Our team will do all we can to ensure a trauma-free and pain-free experience!

We hope this helps! For more on dental anxieties, we encourage you to visit this helpful article, ask us during your next visit to our convenient Ann Arbor office! Or, ask us on Facebook!

Overcoming Dental Anxiety with Gentle Dental Associates

Do you feel nervous or stressed about your upcoming dental treatment? Well you’re not alone; in fact, almost 30 percent of the population experiences "dental phobia" when faced with visiting the dentist! This fear can prevent patients from getting the treatment they need. But it's also important to remember that postponing your dental visit can result in more treatment, which will just reinforce your fear of the dentist.

To help you relax at Gentle Dental Associates, we offer Nitrous Oxide Gas and are also able to prescribe medication prior to your appointment that will lessen your anxiety. There is no shame in being afraid, we are here to help you get the treatment you need. For more information about how you can overcome your fear of the dentist, please visit the DENTAL ANXIETY page on our website or give our office a call.

Below is a video of our patient, Brandon Osborn, discussing how he overcomes his dental anxiety when he comes in for an appointment.

Brandon Describes His Sessions with Dr. Peele at Gentle Dental Associates

Do you suffer from dental anxiety? Take a look at this video of one of our patients, Brandon, who shares his struggle with dental anxiety, and how Dr. Peele has worked to help overcome these fears. Brandon has had dental fears since he was a child, and Dr. Peele has worked to help him release these fears through conversation, hypnosis, and other mental exercises. Brandon has been kind enough to share his journey at Gentle Dental Associates in this video, and we are excited to share it with you.

Fear of the Dentist, a Video Testimonial from one of our patients at Gentle Dental Associates

When Brandon first contacted us, he explained his past experiences with dental work, and the problems with infection that he has struggled with. Brandon has just become a patient at Gentle Dental Associates, and in this video he describes how he has worked to overcome his fear and begin treatment at our office. You can also take a look at the first email he sent to us below, which he wanted us to share with you all:

When I saw "No lecture, just support," on your web page, it meant as much to me as your other patient services - I have an irrational fear of dentistry, and have made every excuse not to get this taken care of. I cannot smile, I feel unacceptable as a person due to the state of my body because of the state of my teeth. I cannot eat properly or control my weight, I cannot kiss someone I love without careful consideration. Having spent most of my life as a consultant (computers, systems and networking), I have lost confidence and customers because I am a horror to look upon. I have frightened small children, and that is depressing.

I am sometimes in pain, and often in danger of serious infection. I have used green tea and Listerine to keep systemic infection out; so far it has, for the most part worked.

If you do or do not have any options available to me, please let me know either by replying to this email, or by contacting me as per below.

Do you struggle with any of the fears that Brandon mentions in the video or in his email? Take a look on our web site, where we have a page devoted to dental fears. Then give us a call to learn how fear of the dentist shouldn't stand between you and a healthier smile!