How our dentist helps nervous patients

When it comes to dental care, it is safe to say that the majority of people are less than eager to attend their biannual appointment with their dental team, even if they know they do not have any underlying issues.

However, there exists a small minority of dental patients who may feel total dread when booking their check-ups, which can cause them to avoid the dentist altogether. This isn’t ideal and can have significant consequences for their oral and physical health.

When you come to see our team at Cannon Street Dental Centre, our dentist in London will always treat you with compassion and care, even if you have missed more than a few dental check-ups! We will always aim to save as many of your teeth as we can and will talk you through every treatment that we recommend. We will not judge you, but rather ensure that your dental health and your physical health remain in good condition.

Luckily, there are a few options that we can offer to help make your visit to our dentist in London more comfortable, and in this article, we will discuss them.

Why are people worried about dental check-ups?

But first, it’s worth exploring why you may feel worried about seeing our dentist in London. Perhaps you underwent a particularly uncomfortable dental treatment many years ago, and you now have an associated concern. Or maybe you were simply not taught about the importance of dental care as a child, so your first trip to a dental surgery was unusually invasive. Whatever the reason, our team will not judge and will always give you a warm welcome.

Communication

One of the ways we can do this is to talk openly. This may involve us inviting you in for a non-clinical appointment prior to your check-up, so you can get to know our team before we begin the initial assessments. This will help you to see that we are just people, too, and that we are not here to be judgmental towards you. This can also be a great place for you to discuss potential options going forward to help you feel more relieved and may help you to voice the concerns that you have with us so we can alleviate any worries.

Distraction

Many people find that it is the sound of the dental drill that makes them uncomfortable. If this is the case, our team will be more than happy for you to wear a headset playing either music or a guided meditation while you see our team.

Sedation

We are also able to offer intravenous sedation, which, as the name suggests, involves a needle being placed into your arm and a drip of medication being administered directly into your bloodstream. This should only be used if you have severe dental anxiety, and after the treatment has been completed, you will need a reliable family member or friend to escort you home afterwards. You should also not operate heavy machinery for a minimum of 24 hours after you have had IV sedation.

Long-term goals

The long-term goal, with a dental patient who is nervous, is to build up their confidence in the procedures. Our team will always be on hand to provide you with the best tips to keep your dental health in good condition, and we will always aim to make you feel comfortable when you attend our surgery. So, call us today!