What to Do When You Haven't Been to the Dentist in Years

It's common for dental patients of all ages to suffer some degree of dental anxiety. Though dental anxiety is a mere inconvenience for some individuals, for other patients, it interferes with their ability to obtain regular dental care. In severe instances, dental anxiety can turn into a dental phobia, where the patient avoids going to the dentist until they're suffering extreme pain.

Patients with dental anxiety or dental phobias may forgo regular dental visits that can help them maintain optimal dental health, or they might put off recommended dental procedures for months or even years. If you have avoided going to the dentist for an extended period due to dental anxiety or a dental phobia, here's what you can do to remedy the situation.

Identify the Source of Your Anxiety or Fear

The first thing to do is to determine the driving force behind your dental fear or dental anxiety. Once you know the underlying cause of your dental phobia, you can properly address the source of your fear.

For example, many patients develop dental anxiety due to concerns over experiencing pain at the dentist or because they had a painful dental visit in the past. If you have concerns over pain, it's important to find a dentist who will take your fears seriously.

You should seek a dentist who offers a variety of options to manage your pain levels. Many dentists offer pain management solutions designed to put patients with a dental phobia more at ease. It's essential to remember that advances in dental technology have minimized the discomfort caused by many common dental procedures.

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a top alternative for many patients. You're allowed to drive before and after receiving the nitrous oxide, as it only takes a few minutes for the effects of the laughing gas to wear off. This is a safe option for pain relief that makes it possible for many patients to better relax during their procedures.

Some patients dread the pain associated with the injection of a local anesthetic. A local anesthetic injection is the first step for many dental procedures, but many patients dislike the pain associated with getting the equivalent of a shot in their mouths.

Seek a dentist who offers electronically delivered anesthesia. Your dentist will attach adhesive pads to your face and use a handheld control unit to deliver electrical impulses. These electrical impulses will numb the face and the patient can customize the level of numbness via the handheld control unit.

A lack of control is another underlying cause of dental anxiety. You may dislike going to the dentist because you don't like not knowing what's going to happen or not being able to control the flow of your appointment. Consider asking your dentist for a longer appointment slot. This will ensure that your dentist has ample time to explain all the aspects of your appointment and address any concerns that you might have.

Schedule an Appointment with a Dentist Who Fits Your Needs

It's vital to find a dentist who will help you alleviate your dental anxiety and that you find it convenient to go to. Many patients opt for a dental office close to their job, gym, or favorite store, as these are all areas that they're likely to frequent.

Plan to reward yourself after your appointment with a fun workout, delicious meal, or a relaxing outing. When you schedule a reward along with your appointment, this uses positive reinforcement to help you view the dentist in a more positive light.

You don't want to schedule an appointment with a dentist in an area of town that you never go to. This will only increase your anxiety, and you might use the unfamiliarity of the locale as an excuse to skip your appointment. If it's not easy to attend your appointment, you're less likely to keep your appointments.

Ready to put your dental anxiety behind you? Contact Dr. Teresita Hernandez, DDS today to schedule an appointment.