People have always enjoyed “fun” scares. Halloween in particular is a time when people enjoy dressing up as scary monsters or watching scary movies.

Yet, we also know that genuine fear and anxiety can be an obstacle to your health. We’ve seen its effect on patients with dental anxiety. It’s also why we do everything we can to help you learn to manage an overcome that anxiety at Davenport Dental Group in Laredo, TX.

You Are Not Alone

Dental phobia, or fear of the dentist, affects between 13 and 24 percent of the population, according to Harvard Medical School. That could mean nearly 1 in every 4 people you see has some anxiety about dental visits. That’s tens of millions of people in a country the size of the United States.

The reasons for dental anxiety can vary widely:

  • Bad experiences with a dentist
  • Painful dental care in the past
  • A sensitive gag reflex
  • Concern that you might be criticized by the dentist
  • Fear of a particular procedure or piece of equipment

This isn’t a complete list by any means, but these are some common concerns we have heard in our decades of caring for patients. We have also helped countless patients feel more comfortable getting the oral care they need.

Easing Your Anxiety

Just as different people have dental anxiety for different reasons, there are different ways to manage those feelings.

A good place to start is by sharing your concerns with us. Our dental professionals want to understand your worries. By knowing what bothers you about oral care, we can alter our approach to make it easier for you in the dental chair.

Many people find dental sedation is an effective way to calm their nerves and prevent pain during treatments. Laughing gas (inhaled sedation) is a quick and effective option for patients who need a little help getting the care they need to improve and maintain their oral health.

Distracting yourself can be another effective way to get through dental visits. We have televisions in our patient rooms for this reason. If you can focus on one of your favorite shows, you spend less time thinking about what we are doing.

Get To Know Our Team

Perhaps the most important way to ease your anxiety is getting to know our team of dedicated professionals. In most cases, dental fear does not disappear after one appointment. However, when you are being treated by people who you know and trust, that makes a big difference. As you learn more about us and our approach to patient care, we think you will find it a little easier to schedule your next appointment each time.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with dental anxiety, please reach out to us. We are happy to answer your questions about our training and technology and about how our team approaches patient care.

Contact us online, or call the location nearest. Call 956-242-6745 for our Junction Drive office or 956-517-2695 for our Winfield office.