A guide to dental phobias from our dentist

Have you received a text message on your phone reminding you that it’s time for your biannual dental checkup? Are you already thinking of ways to get out of it and delay getting into the dental chair?

With as many as 7 out of 10 dental patients reporting that they feel nervous when they attend checkups, dental teams have taken steps to mitigate these issues.

At Buttercup 7 Day Dental, we are at the forefront of helping our more nervous patients at our Glasgow dentist West End. Everything from our waiting room to our team’s compassionate approach is geared towards making all of our patients feel more at ease when we perform checkups and other dental treatments. Great!

But what are some of the signs that you may need a bit more help managing your dental anxiety from our Glasgow dentist West End?

Avoidance

We’ve already mentioned it, but it is still at the top; if you avoid attending dental checkups with our Glasgow dentist West End, then you probably have anxiety about dental treatments.

We can help to resolve this by allowing you to talk openly about any concerns you have and taking the time to get to know you better, helping you to feel more relaxed in our surgery.

You must remember that whilst you may have a phobia of seeing our dental team, it is important to do so at least twice a year to keep your teeth and general health in good condition. Furthermore, attending frequent dental checkups can reduce the need for more invasive procedures since any dental issues can be addressed at an earlier stage, such as dental extraction caused by extensive decay.

If you are nervous about seeing our team, please let us know of this when you book your appointment, and we will be sure to take care of you!

Sweating

A physical symptom of anxiety, sweating whilst in our surgery can also point towards a more medium level phobia. So, should you feel your palms becoming sweaty, we can offer our treatments with minimal discomfort.

Palpitations

Another physical symptom of dental anxiety is heart palpitations, which can in itself make you feel panicked and out of control.

However, we are aware of how frightening this can be when linked to dental treatments, and so, we can offer you sedative-based medications to help reduce your heart rate and your anxiety.

Low blood pressure and fainting

Fainting and low blood pressure are more worrying symptoms of dental anxiety. If you feel you may faint or have a history of fainting when stressed, please tell our team, and we will aim to ensure that your appointment runs on time to reduce anxiety. We may also offer you sedatives and recommend that a friend or family member accompany you to support you.

How we can help

As before, at Buttercup 7 Day Dental, we take pride in helping nervous dental patients by offering a welcoming environment, but we do know that even attending an appointment can be a big step if you have such anxiety.

So, we aim to put you in charge of what we do in all cases, helping you to take back control of your dental health.