Dental anxiety is a common problem that affects many people, and it can make it challenging for patients to receive the dental care they need. This is something that it is important that we change. Fortunately, there are now many things that dental practices can implement in order to help our nervous patients Marylebone feel more comfortable and at ease.

If you are one of these nervous patients Marylebone, then I hope that reading the following information can help you to feel more at ease when visiting my practice.

What strategies can be used to help me?

Creating a relaxing and comfortable environment is one way that may help nervous patients Marylebone to feel more comfortable during their time at the dentist. This can be done by using soothing colours, soft lighting, and/ or calming music. These can help to reduce your anxiety and create a more positive experience.

I sometimes find that my nervous patients Marylebone feel more relaxed when dental practitioners communicate with them in a clear and respectful manner, taking the time to explain procedures and answer any questions. When you come to this practice, this is something that I am happy to do.

For some patients, however, these aforementioned strategies are not enough to help them to access the dental care they need. In these instances, conscious sedation can be used to help patients relax during dental procedures. Sometimes the sedation is administered intraorally, other times, through an IV.

What makes people nervous at the dentists?

Dental anxiety is a common problem which affects many people, and there are many possible causes of this anxiety. Many people are afraid of experiencing pain during dental procedures, particularly injections or drilling. When dental treatment is taking place patients may feel that they are not in control of their body, which in turn can create a feeling of fear. In addition to this, past experiences which have been painful or traumatic can cause anxiety around dental procedures. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and some patients’ anxiety may not have a specific cause.

If any of the above resonates with you, or if you are someone who feels anxious or nervous for a different reason, I want to encourage you. Conscious sedation may be a good option for you (though this can only be decided in consultation with a qualified dentist). When patients undergo treatment with sedation, often they find that they do not remember what has happened while they were sedated. It is not the same as general anaesthetic however, as some patients may believe. Instead, when successfully sedated in this way you should be awake, but unaware of what is going on around you. You should feel very relaxed and unable to experience pain or even nervousness throughout your dental treatment.

For those patients who choose to move forwards with conscious sedation for their treatment, it is important to bring an additional person with you for your appointment. This may be a friend or family member who is able to accompany you, get you home safely, and stay with you for a while after your appointment. This is simply due to the fact that you may still feel some of the effects of the sedation after your appointment, making it unsafe for you to drive yourself away from your appointment.

What are my next steps?

If you are one of the many nervous patients Marylebone, I hope that you have been encouraged by reading this, and would advise you to get in touch with a member of my team. We will be happy to listen to your concerns and to talk you through booking in your next dental appointment.