Overcoming Fears of the Dentist
Many patients cite fear or discomfort as a major reason for postponing dental work, but the reality is that tooth pain from poor dental hygiene is a much bigger concern than a standard dental appointment. We’ve heard many fears over the years, and we want to ease your worries about visiting our professional dental team.
Common Fears about Going to The Dentist
Fear
Going to the dentist hurts.
Solutions
Most dental exams and procedures are not painful. For more invasive procedures, dentists use numbing agents on the affected area.
If you experience mouth pain at the dentist, it could be a sign of a bigger medical issue like gum disease or tooth decay, which should be addressed immediately before the problem escalates.
Fear
There’s nothing that can help my anxiety about the dentist.
Solutions
Nitrous Oxide and other light sedatives are options for anxious patients who need help relaxing at the dentist’s office.
Fear
I am afraid of the sound of the dental drill, needles, and my gag reflex.
Solutions
Most modern dental drills are much quieter than they used to be. Nitrous Oxide is a great solution if you’re worried about an active gag reflex or injection pain.
Fear
My dentist doesn’t care about me.
Solutions
At Heart City Health, we care for all of our patients. If going to the dentist makes you uncomfortable, talk with us about it. There may be things we can do to make you feel more at home in our office.
Why Bad Dental Hygiene is the Biggest Thing to Fear
Regular dental care isn’t only about having a brighter, whiter smile (though it can help with that, too!) It’s also about preventing serious dental diseases and emergencies. Tooth decay and gum disease are just a few of the major dental concerns that can lead to tooth and mouth pain, difficulty chewing, loose teeth, damaged teeth, less confidence, and tooth extractions. In addition, problems with your teeth and mouth can indicate health issues elsewhere, such as diabetes, heart disease, and more.
Benefits of Choosing Heart City Health as Your Dental Provider
Having a strong relationship with your dental care team goes a long way toward easing anxiety about going to the dentist. Because Heart City Health is a full medical home, you can get your traditional doctor’s appointments, mental health care, women’s health care and dental care conducted by the same organization. This allows our team to get quick access to your medical history, and allows us to understand our patients on a deeper level.
That means if your dental problems appear to be linked to an overall health concern, the Heart City Health medical team can assess the issue quickly and personally.
In addition to serving you as a whole person, we also serve all ages ranging from toddlers to seniors, which means you can have the same dental and medical team to support you throughout your life.
If you’re interested in experiencing dental care the Heart City Health way, book an appointment online, over the phone, or in person. We look forward to seeing you.