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Dental Anxiety

Dental Anxiety Hawthorn

James M

James Wong is a wonderful Dentist. The communication and patience through the procedure was first class.

James M

If you experience fear and anxiety just thinking about the dentist, you’re not alone. According to recent surveys, dental anxiety may affect up to 60% of the population. That’s why our team here at Elevate Dental Hawthorn Melbourne takes extra care to listen to our patients and provide the strategies you need to feel comfortable and safe.

If you experience fear and anxiety just thinking about the dentist, you’re not alone. According to recent surveys, dental anxiety may affect up to 60% of the population. That’s why our team here at Elevate Dental Hawthorn Melbourne takes extra care to listen to our patients and provide the strategies you need to feel comfortable and safe.

What is Dental Anxiety

 
Dental anxiety is worse than fear because it often causes people to avoid the dentist altogether. This can set one up for a lifetime of dental problems that can spread past the mouth and affect the health of the entire body if allowed to continue. How do you know if you experience dental anxiety or are just procrastinating? Some signs of dental anxiety include:

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Avoidance of dental visits
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Problems sleeping when thinking of a dental appointment
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Racing heart or sweaty palms when contemplating a dental visit
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A feeling of nausea or physical illness when in the dentist’s waiting room
There are some common reasons why people have a fear of the dentist. Sometimes a past, negative experience and a dentist or doctor’s office can create a lifetime of anxiety, or television shows may be the cause. Some fears stem from events one cannot recall, while others have recent memories behind them. Some causes of dental anxiety may include:
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Fear of pain
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Fear of shots
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Self-consciousness of neglect of dental care
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Fear of a medical situations or medical offices
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Fear of anesthesia
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Feelings of claustrophobia or loss of personal space
Sadly, dental anxiety can affect both adults and children. This may be due to behaviour and emotions that are learned from family members or friends, or due to a negative dental experience. But no matter if the fear is in you or your child, be assured that our team understands and will do everything we can to alleviate anxiety and put you at ease.
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How Elevate Dental Can Help

 
At Elevate Dental, we do everything we can to make a comfortable and safe space for you to visit. Firstly, we ensure our waiting room is a calm and quiet atmosphere with soothing music. We provide you with noise-cancelling headphones so you can listen to music or watch movies to entertain you during treatment.

We can also provide medications that help calm you before your appointment and nitrous oxide (or happy gas) during treatment so you can relax and maybe even enjoy the experience. And mainly, you can count on our well-trained, compassionate and knowledgeable staff who will always consider your feelings first. Here is our approach:

We Listen

Our experienced team knows that each patient has different needs. That’s why we listen with an open mind and want to learn what triggers your fears and anxieties. Then we can better address the problem and find a solution that works for you. Whether it’s a need to know all the steps of your treatment or the desire to sit back and let us work while you enjoy music, we will cater to your needs to make your appointment less stressful.

We Don’t Judge

It is common for people to avoid the dentist for a number of reasons. We know this happens and we understand people may be uncomfortable or even embarrassed to have a stranger look around their mouth. Be assured that when you come in for an initial dental checkup, we will not judge, but we will use our experience and compassion to help get your oral health back on track.

Medications

It is common to use medications and calming agents to help alleviate the physical distress that may come with your dental visit. The following are typical medication options for dental treatments.
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Oral Calming Medications

Some patients require a calming medication like diazepam before they even come in. If you would like this option, let your dentist know during an exam and we can provide a prescription for you to take ahead of your procedure.
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Laughing Gas

For the extremely anxious, we offer nitrous oxide or laughing gas. This can help make the time go faster while you relax and listen to music or watch a movie. And the best part about laughing gas is that it starts and ends quickly, so you can drive to and from your appointment without worry.

What You Can Do

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Talk to us ahead of time.

Share your fears with us and we can discuss which option, or combination of options we can use to help you feel relaxed and safe.
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Practice stress relief with deep breathing.

Many patients find that when they begin deep breathing practice for calming at home, it helps them with any anxiety-inducing situation, including a dental appointment. With just a few practice sessions, you can use this technique alone or with other calming techniques like diazepam.
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Get regular dental checkups to avoid pain due to large dental problems.

When small, most problems like decay and gum disease can be treated without the need for anything more than a topical anesthetic. And when most dental experiences have minimal discomfort, you will soon let go of fear that accompanies a dental appointment.
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Child Dental Anxiety

 
Children are also prone to dental anxiety. This may be due to behaviour learned from parents, or pain in a tooth that brings apprehension when someone tries to look at it. We can help your child calm with various methods like toys and movies.

Bringing your child in at a young age can help stop dental anxiety before it begins. Our team at Elevate Dental encourages you to bring your child to your dental checkups. We will make them feel comfortable and even give them a ride in the chair afterwards. Bring a comfort blanket or toy for them, and we will provide an after-visit gift. All of these techniques can work together to lessen your child’s apprehension when it comes time for their first dental checkup.

Child Dental Anxiety

Children are also prone to dental anxiety. This may be due to behaviour learned from parents, or pain in a tooth that brings apprehension when someone tries to look at it. We can help your child calm with various methods like toys and movies.

Bringing your child in at a young age can help stop dental anxiety before it begins. Our team at Elevate Dental encourages you to bring your child to your dental checkups. We will make them feel comfortable and even give them a ride in the chair afterwards. Bring a comfort blanket or toy for them, and we will provide an after-visit gift. All of these techniques can work together to lessen your child’s apprehension when it comes time for their first dental checkup.

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Call Today

 
Don’t let dental anxiety stop you from your best health and beautiful smile. Call today on 1300 2 SMILE, and together, we can make your dental experience a positive one.

book now

Call Today

Don’t let dental anxiety stop you from your best health and beautiful smile. Call today on 1300 2 SMILE, and together, we can make your dental experience a positive one.
book now
Nick B

Dr Barnes has been my dentist for decades and he makes my least favorite place to go an experience that I usually enjoy. He’s gentle and highly professional which always leaves me very satisfied. Staff always greet me with a huge smile which adds to the positive experience. I clearly highly recommend Swinburne Dental and I don’t plan to ever go anywhere else.

Nick B

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