Many people have a fear of the dentist, however it doesn’t mean you should have to deal with it. Visiting the dentist, whether you’re going to a cosmetic dentist in Leeds or a general dentist in London, is important to not only keep your smile healthy but in some cases, to give you a smile you feel confident with. We’re here with four things you can do to make the process much easier for you!
Visit Just For A Tour
The first thing you should do if you have a fear of the dentist is to visit just for a tour the first time. Give the dentist a call, explain your situation and that you have a fear of the dentist. Say that you’d feel more comfortable if you were to come to the practice and have a look around before an actual appointment. Any good dentists will be happy to facilitate this for you, and if they’re not, we’d recommend looking for another dentist. You can get used to the space, meet the team and generally just take the unknown out of the situation to help you feel more comfortable.
Tell Your Dentist!
If you have booked your appointment, whether for general dentistry or something like Invisalign aligners, then make sure to tell your dentist in advance about your fear. You can just give the practice a call and they will inform the dentist, who may approach the appointment slightly differently or assign a bit more time to ensure you’re completely comfortable with everything. Dentists will have nervous patients often, and a big part of their job is making their patients feel comfortable. So, just be honest and the dentist will look after you!
Consider A Private Dentist
Another thing you can do if you have a fear of the dentist is to consider a private dentist. With a private dentist, you avoid long wait times, which are the worst when you’re not looking forward to your appointment. Additionally, you usually have a longer slot when you choose a private dentist, so there will be absolutely no pressure if you need those extra 5 minutes to compose yourself or get comfortable. If part of your fear surrounds having to hang around for a long time, struggling to get an appointment and being rushed when you’re there, then a private dentist would be a good option to consider.
Consider Less Invasive Treatments
If you have a fear of the dentist yet want cosmetic work done, then we’d recommend asking your dentist about less invasive treatment options where they are possible. For example, rather than having porcelain veneers, you could consider composite veneers, or Invisalign combined with teeth whitening. Some dentists also offer dental sedation for very nervous patients having more invasive treatments, so this is something to discuss with them. We all deserve to have a smile we are proud of without it causing us to feel scared, so just be honest with your dentist and they will be able to offer you lots of different options to find what you’re comfortable with.