If you have anxiety about visiting the dentist, you are not alone. Between 9% and 20% of Americans avoid going to the dentist due to fear and anxiety. A bad experience, the sights, smells, and the buzzing and drilling sounds can be overwhelming. If this sounds like you, continue to keep reading. Our team at Belvedere has come up with a few easy ways to help manage your anxiety in our practice.

Common reasons people fear going to the dentist.

There are several reasons why people fear the dentist. A few include: a painful or unpleasant experience, a fear of sharp tools or needles, or embarrassment. Here at Belvedere, we are here to help make visiting the dentist a comfortable experience. Below are a few tips we think are important to help make your
experience less stressful.

  1. Talk with your dentist at Belvedere about your fears and anxiety. Let us know what makes you feel more comfortable and less anxious. Ask your dentist to explain what’s happening at every stage of the appointment so that you know upfront.
  2. Ask your dentist to take breaks. If you are feeling overwhelmed, take a break and breath. Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist for a few minutes to yourself.
  3. Book early appointments. We open at 8 AM Monday and Wednesday and 7 AM Tuesday and Thursday. When scheduling an appointment request for an earlier time. You and your dentist will be able to handle stress better when things aren't as busy.
  4. Avoid any caffeinated beverages. Skip your morning coffee before you visit the dentist. This will help you feel less anxious and shaky. Eat a healthy breakfast and drink lots of water before coming in.
  5. Bring a friend or family member with you to your appointment. Let a family member or friend drive you to your appointment and wait in the waiting room with you. Having someone close to you will help with any anxiety and stress.

If you have any further questions about dental anxiety, feel free to call us at 704-927-5499. Schedule an appointment today with our easy online scheduler. We look forward to helping improve your oral health!

Going to the local dentist office for a routine cleaning or a few fillings may be commonplace to you, but it can be very frightening for young children. Even if your child has never had a bad experience, the sights, smells and sounds can be scary and having a stranger poking around with metal objects can be uncomfortable. Here are some tips for making sure your child is confident and compliant at the dentist’s office.

Seek Out a Children’s Dentist

It takes special skills to work with children. Their mouths are physically smaller, meaning there is less space to work. Some children gag very easily and may heave if a tool or finger brushes their tongue or roof of their mouth. Children may also have a shorter attention span or be less able to control their tongue during dental work. A children’s dentist will have the special tools and patience required to work with kids.

Practice at Home

If the only time an adult looks in a child’s mouth is at the dentist’s office, it can seem very invasive and uncomfortable to the child. Have your child recline with their head in your lap and look in their mouth with a small flashlight. Use their toothbrush to count their teeth and inspect them. If your child has a sensitive gag reflex, work on having him or her gently press the toothbrush against their own tongue to learn not to gag. Make it fun and normal to practice dental hygiene at home.

Avoid Horror Stories and Scary Words

Try not to talk about shots, needles, drills and pain and instead use words like numbing medicine, cleaning machine, ‘fixing tool,’ vibration and pressure. Explain to your child that dental procedures shouldn’t hurt, and that the sensations of pressure and vibration can be unusual but not something to be feared. If you are a nervous patient yourself or have had bad experiences, try not to let your child see your apprehension or overhear your horror stories.

Make Dental Care Routine

Take your child to the dentist every six months as soon as their first tooth erupts. This will allow them to grow up with dental care being commonplace. Don’t wait until your child has nearly a full set of teeth! Children need to start going to the local dentist office and practicing dental hygiene very young to develop comfort with these routines.

Children can be afraid at the dentist’s office, even if they’ve never had a bad experience. If your child needs dental work, call our office today to schedule an appointment.

Uptown Charlotte Dentistry & Orthodontics

Specializing in Invisalign, Composite Bonding, Veneers and Crowns.

We do our best to make it easy for you to get the beautiful smile you deserve! Our office accepts nearly all major insurance plans. Even though dental insurance is a private arrangement between you and your company, we will file your claim, handle all the paperwork, and help you get maximum insurance benefits.

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