How Can I Manage My Dental Anxiety? Our Tips & Recommendations

If you have dental anxiety, you’re not alone. Millions of people experience anxiety and fear at the dentist. But it’s possible to overcome your anxiety, get the dental care you need, and maintain your oral health. How? Here are a few recommendations from Academy Dental Care in Ashburn.

Consider Laughing Gas At The Dentist

At our office, we offer laughing gas (nitrous oxide) for all dental appointments, even six-month oral exams and teeth cleanings. This is an ideal sedation method if you have dental anxiety. No pills or needles are needed, just a comfortable nose mask.

Once you breathe in the gas, you’ll feel more comfortable, relaxed, and happy. You also will be less likely to feel any pain or discomfort during your appointment, but you will remain fully conscious. 

Best of all, laughing gas wears off about 5 minutes after your appointment ends. You can drive home or even go to work, and resume your normal day-to-day routine right away. 

Keep Up With Dental Appointments To Avoid Issues

Getting a six-month teeth cleaning may not be comfortable for you, but it probably doesn't feel as scary as getting a filling, a crown, or a root canal. One of the best ways to avoid intimidating dental procedures is to maintain good oral hygiene.

This means you should take great care of your teeth at home, and you should also come to Academy Dental Care every six months for a preventive consultation with Dr. O’Shea. With great at-home and in-office oral care, you will dramatically reduce your chances of needing invasive, intimidating, and costly dental procedures. 

Choose The Right Dentist For You

You need to choose a friendly, gentle, and caring dentist who will listen to you, have an honest discussion about your anxiety, and help you come up with steps to cope with your anxiety at the dentist. Dr. Thomas O’Shea, for example, regularly treats patients with anxiety, and can help you develop a customized care plan to ensure you stay comfortable during your treatments.

This can help with common triggers and dental anxieties. If you don’t like the sound of dental drills, you can listen to music or wear earplugs. Or, if you fear loss of control, Dr. O’Shea can communicate with you throughout your treatment, and ask for your approval and consent during each step of the process.

Look For Plenty Of Comforting Office Amenities

It’s easier to relax in a modern, bright, and comfortable dental office. At Academy Dental Care, we offer a comfortable waiting area, modern operatories, TVs that can distract you from your procedure, and modern dental tools like digital x-rays to speed up your treatment. 

Contact Us Today For Anxiety-Free Dental Care In Ashburn

At Academy Dental Care, Dr. Thomas O’Shea is always here to help you get the dental care you need in Ashburn, even if you suffer from dental anxiety. But don’t just take our word for it. Contact us online or give us a call at (301) 884-2299 to visit our office. See what makes us unique, and how we can help you overcome your fear and get the dental care you need for a healthy mouth and a bright smile.