Living in Burton and Scared of the dentist?

Some help with managing dental anxiety for our Burton patients.

Fear is a very personal thing but, if you are afraid of dental visits, you are not alone. It is estimated that 25% of the population of the UK are afraid of visiting the dentist. Modern dentistry and the use of local anaesthetics mean that dentistry is far more pleasant these days, however we fully understand that some patients struggle with anxiety even when heading to their routine check-up.

For most, it is simply a case of facing their anxieties and going through with it. Most people do recognise that it is something that has to be done to keep their teeth in good condition and put up with their concerns.

Others though may suffer quite severe anxiety and may even avoid the dentist altogether. Although this may be understandable, it will almost inevitably lead to invasive dental surgery later on which may be even more difficult to face.

Although we strive to offer a pain-free dental service in Burton on Trent, we could never argue that dental visits are something to be enjoyed, but, at Mike Allen’s Dental Practice, we will do all that we can to put you at ease and help you to relax during your visit.

Our Practice Philosophy

At Mike Allen’s, not only are our premises clean and hygienic, but also offer a relaxing environment. Our staff too are aware that some patients are anxious about their visit and endeavour to communicate with them in a friendly and relaxed manner.

We always listen to our patient’s questions and concerns and address those the best that we can so that our patients feel an important part of the process.

We hope that this approach, at the very least, makes it easier for nervous patients. Some patients though, also like to take additional action and these are just a few methods that some of our dental patients from Burton on Trent have suggested which have worked for them:

Relaxation

Some patients have had a great deal of success using meditation or relaxation techniques. Although these are longer term solutions, many patients do find that it helps with their dental phobia and, some say, even their overall health and well being.

Natural Remedies

Health shops often have remedies which can help with anxiety. Whilst some of these do contain ingredients such as hops and lettuce extracts which are known to be soporific, others, such as Bach Flower Remedies, on the surface, have no real logical explanation. And yet, many patients have had great success with this product; so if it works for you then why not? Of course, before trying any remedy, even if it’s a natural one, it’s worth checking with a medical practitioner first.

Music

For patients whose main concern is the sound of the dental drill, the use of an mp3 player to listen to whilst a tooth is being prepared may be useful. Please remember though that it may be necessary to discuss aspects of your treatment during the procedure.

Medication

For those whose dental anxiety is severe to the point that they are genuinely terrified and therefore likely to miss their treatment; a visit to their doctor is recommended. Many GPs are prepared to give patients short term medication to allow them to go through with their dental treatment, recognising it as an important part of their overall health care.

If you are afraid of the dentist and would like to visit a friendly customer focussed practitioner, please call us at Mike Allen’s Dental Practice on 01283 845345 and see what we can do to make your visit as relaxing as we possibly can.