Conquering Your Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety affects many Australians and it’s very common for patients to be nervous when visiting their orthodontist, too. Here at Tony Weir Orthodontics, we understand that many of our patients experience nervousness around their treatment and we endeavour to do everything we can to make your visit as stress-free as possible. Below, we list a few of our top tips on how to alleviate dental anxiety.

Honesty is the Best Policy

If you’re nervous about your upcoming appointment, then make sure to tell your orthodontist . They will be very familiar with your concerns and if they know that you are nervous, they can help you to feel more comfortable. Try to speak to the orthodontist that you will be seeing in advance so you can discuss what your appointment will involve, what tools and techniques will be used and how long the process will take.

Often, the biggest part of dental anxiety is a fear of the unknown, so finding out as much about your treatment as you can will make it a lot less nerve-wracking. If you know of ways in which your orthodontist can help to alleviate your fears, let them know – they want you to have a positive experience and will do everything they can to make that happen.

Bring a Companion

There’s no need for you to be alone during your appointment, unless medically necessary, so ask your orthodontist if you can bring a friend or relative. Having someone with you who understands your feelings can be very calming and they can also be a distraction when you need it. Whether you want someone to hold your hand, pull funny faces to distract you or talk you through what’s going on inside your mouth, these can all help reassure you during your appointment.

Distract Your Focus

When you’re nervous about undergoing orthodontic treatment, it can be hard to think about anything else. Although most treatments will be painless, they can be uncomfortable, and focusing on your discomfort will not help you to feel calm. Ask your orthodontist whether it’s possible for you to listen to headphones while they carry out their work and you can distract yourself with your favourite podcast or playlist.

If this isn’t possible then think up some other mind distractions before you get in the chair – this could be replaying the plot of a movie you saw recently, planning the details of your next holiday or trying to remember every item in your last grocery shop.

Gain Back Control

Often the nerves surrounding orthodontic treatment stem from the lack of control you may feel over what’s happening whilst you’re in the chair. If you think this is the root cause of your anxiety, speak to your orthodontist in advance to arrange a signal you can give to show that you feel uncomfortable or worried. Even just having the option of using this signal can make you feel more in control of what’s happening and calm your nerves.

To speak to our friendly team about your concerns and find out how we can help, call us now on 07 3054 6767 or visit our contact page for more ways to get in touch.