Tips for Your Fear of a Dental Checkup

There are many reasons you should have a dental checkup, but it is not uncommon to have a fear of the dentist. The gums, teeth, and tongue all play a significant role in helping you have a nutritious diet. When these do not work well, you may not be able to eat the right foods. And if you are afraid of the dentist, it might be hard to gather the courage to make an appointment. The good news is you can conquer your fear.

Choose the right dentist

One of the most fundamental ways of conquering dental checkup fear is finding the right dentist. The patient should be comfortable with the dentist. Plus, some dentists charge a lot of money for some procedures. If the dentist does not accept the patient’s health insurance, it could cost more money than the patient is willing to spend.

If the patient has a phobia or anxiety, it is vital to choose a dentist that understands the patient. The dentist should be willing to help keep the patient comfortable during any procedure. However, sometimes, the patient might need to make a consultation appointment first. Then they can talk about the cause of the anxiety or fear of the dentist.

Having medication

Many things can cause fear, including the lighting, tools, and the thought of having a needle in the mouth. However, having a dental checkup is critical, and one possibility to get over fear is medication. The dentist can give it to the patient to help reduce anxiety. These could include local anesthetics or a light sedative to calm the patient.

Having regular dental checkups

A great way of dealing with fears is by facing them. That is what exposure therapy aims to do. The patient will make visits to the dentist to reduce anxiety. Regular dental checkups are the right way to do that. Slowly building up is the right way to do that.

For instance, the patient can have a checkup one time and an X-ray the next time. During this time, the patient will get enough courage to have procedures done when needed. Starting small is critical, but over time, the patient will feel better about dental visits. The patient gets used to the tools and the dentist that way.

Other ways of overcoming fear

Many times, the fear of a dental checkup puts oral health at risk. However, there are some other ways patients can reduce fears. For instance, a patient might go to the dentist with a friend. Or the patient can ask the dentist to give them a quick break from the procedure. Having headphones and music can take the patient’s mind off the process.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Checkup in Bakersfield, CA

Get a dental checkup today

It is common to fear going to the dentist, and it can affect patients of any age. However, younger people are often more prone to the issue. Still, it happens more in some people than others. The good news is you can manage it with the help of your dentist.

Request an appointment or call Brimhall Dental Group at 661-249-1122 for an appointment in our Bakersfield office.

Recent Posts

What To Expect At A Dental Checkup

If you have never seen a dentist, it has been a long time since your last visit, or perhaps you had a bad experience at some point, it would help a lot to know what to expect at a dental checkup. Dental professionals work hard to put every client at ease. Regardless of the treatment…

The Importance Of Regular Dental Checkup X-Rays

More than likely, you have had a dental checkup multiple times in your lifetime. So, you know a hygienist cleans the teeth and a dentist performs an oral examination. You also understand that either a hygienist or a technician takes X-rays during the visit. However, have you ever wondered just how important the X-rays are?…

Questions To Ask At Your Dental Checkup

Patients might not always get the most out of a regular dental checkup. But asking some questions during that time can help patients gain more information on different topics. The dentist has experience and knowledge in many areas. Continue reading to learn a few things to ask the dentist.One reason for having a dental checkup…

Brimhall Dental Group

Share
Published by
Brimhall Dental Group

Recent Posts

3 CPAP Alternatives for Sleep Apnea

Here, we answer frequently asked questions that patients have about CPAP alternatives for sleep apnea.

7 days ago

When Should I Visit My Dentist for Denture Care?

Dentures can be a great way to replace missing teeth, but they require regular denture…

1 week ago

Denture Care: How Often Should You Clean Your Dentures?

If you are new to the denture world, you may be curious about denture care…

2 weeks ago

3 Types of Orthodontic Treatments

Whatever treatment option you choose, the end goal is straightening your teeth and improving your…

3 weeks ago

How to Properly Care for Your Dentures

When you have dentures, you must remember this, proper denture care starts with treating your…

3 weeks ago

Denture Care: How Long Should You Keep New Dentures In?

One of the most common questions that dentists receive about denture care from new denture…

4 weeks ago