Fears and phobias surrounding the dentist

Whilst each individual suffers from their fear of the dentist in their own unique way, rest assured that if you have anxieties you are not alone. Studies have shown that a high percentage of people with fears and phobias surrounding the overall dental experience have had them since childhood, partially due to minimal appointments being attended or bad experiences. However, this does not mean that your anxiety is just another one of those things that you need to overcome alone. Our team is here to support every single patient, no matter how big or small their fears may seem.

How to reduce and potentially eliminate anxiety surrounding dental visits throughout childhood

Attending regular appointments from the age of around 6 months old can drastically reduce fears surrounding dental appointments in later life. Each check-up appointment, which could be in intervals of 6 to 12 months, can help reinforce a positive association with the dental practice. In some cases stickers or a toy may be given after the check-up. Whilst this may seem like a very simple idea, the impact of the positive associations can last throughout an individual’s life. This is one of the many reasons that regular check-up appointments throughout childhood are encouraged, so as to reduce nervous patients Guildford in the future.

Containing the fears and attending our practice

When nervous patients Guildford regard visits to the dental practice, it is all too easy to postpone, delay and continue to put the appointments off. In some cases the appointments never get rebooked and years pass before any consideration towards a visit arises again. Whilst without any physical pain this may seem like the way forward, after all, why force yourself into an uncomfortable situation, it can actually create further dental problems leading to extensive dental work further down the line. This is most definitely something everyone wishes to avoid, particularly when anxiety is already apparent.

In order to make your experience within the dental practice a positive one each time, it is important for you to inform the practice of any anxieties you may have before attending the appointment. By informing our friendly reception team we can work with you to ensure that any extra measures that may need to be taken can be put in place to assist with your overall comfort. It could vary from a simple visit without any other patients present to a particular piece of music being played. No matter what, upon discussion with our team we will work together with you to ensure that each visit is as gentle as possible.

The environment

Along with our friendly, approachable team our practice has also ensured that the entire layout and decoration of our modern practice is as calming and relaxing as possible. The approach to ensuring your comfort throughout your visit is important and therefore the environment combined with the dental team will hopefully have you feeling as much at ease as possible from day one.

Whilst all treatments and procedures can carry small potential risks it is important to know that thorough checks and consultations are carried out before any are undertaken. It is also encouraged that all patients discuss everything under consideration with their local dental team, so as to fully understand the processes before deciding upon a course of action. This is of particular importance for nervous patients Guildford as they may then feel more at ease.

Avoiding dental visits for years and fearing the worst.

For those suffering from anxiety surrounding visits to the dental practice, it is all too easy to allow months and years to pass by without stepping foot into a dental practice. It may be that your overall oral hygiene does not suffer to the extent that pain begins to occur, however it is better to attend the dental practice before it becomes an absolute necessity. By attending appointments on a yearly basis at least the need for extensive treatments and procedures are greatly reduced which in turn will enable you to spend more time enjoying your life.

Things to understand.

A common misconception often arises among patients that should a certain amount of time pass by without attending an appointment, the dental team will reprimand and judge the patient. Whilst we may fear this approach and think the worst, rest assured this is not a common occurrence and whilst the media may suggest this occurs, in everyday life it is far from the truth.

Whether you have attended appointments every 6 months or have not visited in several years, our dental team is here to support and encourage you every step away. It may be that you feel more comfortable picking up the phone and giving us a call to start the process or it may be an email, no matter how you decide to get in contact, please rest assured your comfort is our priority and we will not leave you to face your fear alone.

Useful tips which may assist your visit

In some cases having a particular item or piece of music playing throughout your visit to the dental practice can assist with calming the nerves. When suffering from anxiety this can be a great source of redirection as having an item or music to focus on can often provide a sense of calm. We therefore encourage all Nervous Patients Guildford to discuss their individual needs with our friendly reception team to ensure we assist in whichever way possible. Your visits with us need to be as relaxing as possible each visit and therefore if we can help you achieve this then we will.

Visiting at a particular time?

There is no harm at all in requesting a particular time of day for your appointment. It may be that having the same time and day of the week for each appointment helps calm your nerves a little. Or it may be that attending an appointment first thing will ensure you attend rather than fret about the visit all day. All of these options are possible and therefore do not feel pressured to just go with any time, please ask and we will ensure that we come up with a variety of options to suit your needs.

If you are a Nervous Patient Guildford and any of the above applies to you or someone you know, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly, approachable team. Our aim is to get you through our doors and feeling comfortable within our calming environment whilst also maintaining and improving your overall oral hygiene.

We all know that regular trips to the dentist are important for most of us; they are simply an inconvenient routine and usually a mundane experience. This is not the case for anxious patients whose anxiety over attending a simple dental check-up can be so crippling that they either deliberately or subconsciously find reasons to not attend or ignore their checkups completely.

Nervous patients in Guildford are our top priority when it comes to receiving care. More often than not, they have missed appointments and often find themselves requiring emergency care more than the average. Many of the nervous patients in Guildford we see in our clinic feel that their behaviours are particularly odd or that they are strange. The unfortunate truth is that nearly a quarter of all patients have some concerns about the dentist and one in 10 people are considered officially dental phobic, to the point of avoiding dental care unless absolutely essential. This unfortunately has the side effect of delaying care and resulting in more radical treatment being necessary to resolve the condition that could have been treated relatively simply if it had been picked up in its early stages.

Here at Farnham Road Dental Practice, we understand that patients come with their own unique set of experiences and prerequisites. When it comes to their perception of dentists (and although our intention is only to support our patients and maintain their dental health and get the most out of treatment), their previous experiences have led them to expect the worst from a dentist. Alternatively, patients may have had very few, if any, experiences of dentists and have inherited their negative perspective from parents or parental figures who experienced dentistry which was far less focused around patients comfort than modern techniques. Much of the old family horror stories about dentistry are either heavily embellished or based around procedures which have long since been stopped.

There is a very primeval aversion which we all have; to be in a vulnerable position with somebody close to us who possesses a sharp implement. It is similar to the type of phobia that many young people have regarding hairdressers; the act of sitting or lying with somebody so close to your personal space is an ernerving and it is understandable that many people find the dentist quite unsettling, regardless of the intention of their visit or the standard of  their teeth.

Managing dental anxiety in the clinic

We attempt to manage dental aversions in the clinic through communication and spending the additional time explaining the procedure as well as agreeing on a non-verbal communication strategy before starting any work. This allows the patient to stop the procedure at any time by raising their hand or some other form of signal. We are entirely comfortable with patients bringing and playing their own music as well as wearing dark glasses or a blackout blindfold during the procedure if they find this helps.

If you have any further questions or you or a family member who would be a nervous patient in Guildford and would like to speak about what measures can be taken to make your or their visit more comfortable, please feel free to get in contact with the clinic.

Get the care that you need

Here at Farnham Road Dental Practice, we recognise the stress that Covid-19 may have placed our patients under. As such, we are doing all that we can to make sure they know that we are there for them, and will be able to provide them with the dental and oral care they need, throughout these troubling and uncertain times. For many people, the recent pandemic measures have caused us to pay a closer amount of scrutiny and attention to all aspects of our health and wellbeing.

One result of this rising amount of focus towards our health has been an increase in the amount of patients who are looking to have their oral health professionally assessed by a dental hygienist. At Farnham Road Dental Practice, we offer a professional cleaning service which is tailored around the needs of nervous patients in Guildford, and we understand that for some a visit to the dentist chair can be the cause of high levels of anxiety and stress.

What can a dental hygienist do for me?

For nervous patients in Guildford who may not have visited their dentist for a considerable amount of time, we recommend that they visit our practice to seek the services provided by our dental hygienists. Whilst cosmetic dentistry is centred around how a patient’s teeth look, a dental hygienist operates in a more preventive capacity – by making sure that a patient’s teeth and gums are as healthy as they ought to be. Any nervous patients in Guildford who visit our practice can rest assured that our expertly trained hygienists have seen teeth in all conditions over their lengthy careers, and that nothing will come as a surprise to them.

Our hygienists do all that is within their power to make the patient feel at ease and comfortable throughout their treatment with us, and absolutely never judge a patient who may have refrained from seeking out dental help prior to now. The important thing, we believe, is that patients have made the first – and arguably most important – step on their journey towards a healthier dental future, by taking direct action and contacting one of our dental hygienists.

Maintaining healthy gums

One of the most crucial parts of the dental care which is provided by our hygienist, here at Farnham Road Dental Practice, is keeping our patient’s gums fit and healthy. Our gums are vital to our oral health, and act as cushions to our teeth by protecting them from harmful bacteria as well as adding support to our jaws. One of the most common signs that your gums may be in a poor state of health is noticing blood when brushing or flossing. This, alongside inflammation in your gums, is known as Gingivitis. When caught early, Gingivitis can be easily treated through medicated mouthwashes and other treatments, however – if it is left to develop further then it can cause a gum infection which is known as Periodontal disease (or, more commonly, gum disease) which is far more serious and accounts for the most losses of teeth in adults across the country, after trauma or injury. However, luckily our expert hygienists here at Farnham Road Dental Practice are well practiced in the identification of early signs of periodontal disease, and can provide treatment to stop it in its tracks before it can do any serious damage to the patient’s oral health.

Here for you

At Farnham Road Dental Practice, we know that a trip to the dentist’s chair isn’t typically a highly anticipated event for most of our patients. Whilst many people put off going to the dentist until it is absolutely necessary, most of our patients recognise that it is necessary to ensure the health of their teeth. However, there are some out there who suffer from such severe levels of dental anxiety and dental phobia that they avoid going to the dentist altogether – regardless of the conditional of their oral health. People who feel this way will be glad to know that here at Farnham Road Dental Practice we specialise in the treatment of nervous patients Guildford and do all that we can to make them feel relaxed and at ease, throughout each step of their treatment.

Over the years our practitioners have seen it all, and we never judge our patients – regardless of how long it may have been since they have last been in the dentist’s chair. Any nervous patients in Guildford who perhaps feel that now is the time to seek out dental care, can trust Farnham Road Dental Practice to provide a level of care which is tailored to their needs and at a pace with which they feel comfortable and at ease.

Getting your smile ship-shape

One of the best forms of treatment that we offer for nervous patients Guildford, is provided by our dental hygienist. Rather than address the cosmetics of a patient’s teeth – which are arguably secondary to their wellbeing – it is the job of our dental hygienist to make sure that a patient’s teeth are as medically fit and healthy as they can be, which allows them not to have to fret about dental problems affecting their health. Our dental hygienist is one of the best solutions for those who have not been to the dentist in a long while, as they are experts at identifying any potential oral health problems, such as periodontal disease and recommending the relevant treatment before it can have a chance to develop further.

At Farnham Road Dental Practice, our dental hygienists have seen teeth in all imaginable conditions, and therefore nothing can surprise them. Additionally, they are expertly trained in listening to the needs of the patient, and acting accordingly. If you are a nervous patient, but wish to have your oral health professionally looked over by a dentist who will work to a pace which suits you, then you ought to speak to one of our staff here at Farnham Road Dental Practice to see what we can do for your smile.

Scaling and polishing

One of the main roles which is carried out by our dental hygienists at Farnham Road Dental Practice is the professional cleaning of a patient’s teeth. This is known as a ‘scale and polish’ procedure. This is a two step process which has been engineered to leave the patient’s teeth both in top health, and looking fresher and brighter. The first stage of the cleaning procedure involves scraping away any superficial stains or tartar and plaque from the patient’s teeth – particularly in the more difficult to reach spaces which are commonly missed when regularly brushing. After this has finished there is the ‘polish’ section of the procedure, whereby the patient’s teeth are professionally polished using hand operated dentistry equipment. This removes any excess plaque and leaves them with a brighter, shinier, cleaner and most importantly, healthier smile.

Within the field of dentistry, many nervous patients may hold the common misconception that dental anxiety is only experienced by patients of a young age. Despite this misconception however dental anxiety can be experienced by adults of all ages, and consequently, therefore, in all walks of life! With this variety in mind, therefore, dental anxiety can be triggered by a multitude of factors, arguably the most common however is unpleasant childhood experiences within a dental environment.

What triggers dental anxiety for nervous patients in Guildford?

Dental anxiety can come in all forms and therefore range greatly in regards to its severity, despite this, however, arguably the most common cause is unpleasant dental memories experienced at a very young age for many individuals.

So… What’s the solution for nervous patients in Guildford?

Many nervous patients may see no solution, they may therefore be tempted to refrain from paying a visit to our clinic at all, however, this can have a massively negative effect on a patient’s oral health. Many patients’ may have solidified their anxiety by experiencing negative visits within their adult life, at our Farnham Road dental practice however we wish to make our nervous patients feel as comfortable as possible within the walls of our modern and friendly dental clinic!

Did you know?

Many nervous patients may feel more comfortable after having familiarized themselves with our clinic, familiarity does breed content after all! With this familiarity in mind, therefore, we choose to display a selective array of clinic photographs on our modern and easily accessible dental website. We believe these photographs can make our nervous patients feel far more comfortable prior to their visit to our clinic however we understand that we may need to do more to ensure our patients feel happy when seeing a member of our dental specialist team.

Ensuring our patients feel as comfortable as possible within the walls of our dental clinic

In addition to providing our new patients with a wide array of practice photographs, we also offer all of our nervous individuals an initial consultation where they can express any burning queries, questions or dental concerns they may have regarding their scheduled dental appointment. In addition to a comforting initial consultation however, we also offer nervous patients a detailed phone call where they can receive answers to any queries they may have from our friendly team of dental healthcare professionals.

Our approach..

We believe our attentive dental healthcare team can make our patients feel as comfortable as possible when receiving treatment from us, with this in mind, therefore, we choose to display a wide variety of contact details on our website to ensure even our busiest of patients can receive the comfort they need before attending an appointment at our clinic.

How to get in touch before your scheduled appointment

Located on our website we not only display our direct telephone number, our exact geographical location, in addition to our precise opening hours, however, we also display our email address in addition to an online form which allows our nervous patients to request an appointment online.

It is never a good day when you receive a dental check-up reminder and you have a fear of the dentist.

Of course, there is the option to avoid it altogether but this rarely ends well; if you fail to attend dental check-ups, you are putting yourself at risk of falling victim to cavities, gum disease and even abscesses.

Luckily, as dentistry has evolved, so has the knowledge that surrounds phobic dental patients. Many surgeries are now able to offer the most anxious patients ways to manage being in the dental chair, meaning that you can now attend any dental appointment without feeling fear.

If the thought of getting into the dental chair makes you break out in a sweat, come along to Farnham Road Dental Practice for a check-up. We cater to the most nervous patients in Guildford and can offer you an array of options to help you manage your anxieties. We promise a non-judgmental approach to all of our patients and will ensure that your visit to our surgery will be a pleasant one. Perfect!

But what are these options that we can offer nervous patients in Guildford? Read on to find out!

Open communication

One of the main reasons that people fear attending dental check-ups is due to the fear of judgement from their dentist.

Luckily, as mentioned earlier, all of our dental practitioners are trained to be able to manage nervous patients in Guildford and will discuss ways to make you feel more at ease. Indeed, many patients prefer to know what is happening when their dentist is putting all manner of unusual objects into their mouths, and our team can happily offer you a more open line of communication.

Music

The dentist drill has been an object of fear for a long time, and can still cause some patients to feel severe anxiety.

Luckily, at Farnham Road Dental Practice, you are more than welcome to bring along a set of headphones to listen to some music. Why not listen to an audiobook? That way, our team can work on your teeth without triggering any noise-related anxieties, what could be better?

Sedation

If both the aforementioned techniques don’t sound like your cup of tea, then our team is happy to offer sedation.

Coming in 2 forms, intravenous and nitrous oxide, both options will create an extreme feeling of relaxation, but will allow you to be conscious enough to respond to our team’s instructions. Once the procedure is complete, you will have no memory of what occurred during the time you were sedated. It is important to note that with intravenous sedation, you will need to bring along an age-appropriate family member or friend to escort you home afterwards. Also, no operating heavy machinery for 24 hours!

Anaesthetic

In cases of extreme anxiety, our team will be able to refer you to a nearby day clinic to complete your treatment under traditional anaesthetic.

Once again, you will need a family member or friend to escort you home afterwards.

It can be tough when you have a fear of something. Especially if that fear revolves around a medical professional who can preserve your teeth.

One of the most common phobias across the globe, dental based anxiety typically stems from an unpleasant experience in childhood and, if left unchecked, can lead to a myriad of issues in adult life. It is an unfortunate fact that people who actively avoid attending dental check-ups and appointments are at a higher risk of developing more complicated dental problems and so, it is very important to attend those check-ups as often as you can!

Luckily, if you are phobic of the dentist, we can help. Our team at Farnham Road Dental Practice is happy to offer nervous patients in Guildford a slower, more calming trip to our surgery, allowing you to feel more comfortable in our care. We will take the time to explain everything to you in jargon-free language, so you can feel reassured when you begin treatment with us.

But what are some of the general tips we would suggest to nervous patients in Guildford? Read on to find out!

Find a specialist dentist

When you have decided that you want to overcome your fear and see a dentist, ensure that you choose one who is skilled and knowledgeable about patients who have phobias relating to the dentist.

At Farnham Road Dental Practice, all of our clinical staff have worked with nervous patients in Guildford and will be able to offer you a judgement-free zone to discuss your worries in, while also providing you with top-notch dental treatments. Perfect!

Communicate openly

Whatever your worries are based around, feel free to explain them to your dental team. At Farnham Road Dental Practice, we will empathise with your concerns and allow you to take the lead in whatever treatments you feel comfortable to undertake.

We will work with you to overcome your phobia and help get your dental health back on track.

Book a meeting in advance

Our team is also able and happy to offer advanced meetings, so you can get to know us a bit better.

Typically, these meetings will involve nothing clinical and will offer you the space to talk with our team about your fears. It will also offer you the chance to ask our team questions, without worrying about undertaking a dental assessment.

Make an early morning appointment

When you are ready to take the plunge, we would advise that you book an early morning appointment to get started.

There is nothing worse than waiting around for hours for a late afternoon appointment to come round, so in the first few visits, always aim for an early appointment so you can get on with your day afterwards.

Reward yourself afterwards!

Of course, when you have attended your first dental appointment with us, it is important to treat yourself afterwards! Overcoming a phobia is a huge achievement and should be rewarded with an enjoyable activity, a meal or a shopping trip.

One of the ways that we can help to support nervous patients in Guildford is by going through some of the things that we will do during a first appointment. Being armed with knowledge is perhaps one of the most powerful tools that we can offer our patients, especially those who find it difficult to deal with their anxiety or fear of the dentist.

It isn’t uncommon to be afraid of the dentist. Some people avoid going because they believe their smile to be strong and disease free, and after several years become a little embarrassed to visit us. Our non-judgemental team is here to help you feel great about your smile and confident in knowing that it is as healthy and attractive as it can be, both now and for the future as well.

For nervous patients in Guildford, we have a range of different tools that we can implement during procedures to ensure that you feel as relaxed and at ease as possible. With sedation, your mind can drift off whilst we quickly and efficiently perform the procedure that needs to be done.

During your first appointment if you are one of our nervous patients in Guildford you will be given the opportunity to discuss your feelings of anxiety, so that we can shape further treatments, if necessary, around this. Before you come in for your consultation, you will be asked to fill out a short questionnaire that details some of your past medical and dental history, as well as some information regarding your diet, general health and lifestyle choices, so that we are able to gather some basic information about your situation and who you are before we begin.

It is important to take the time to get to know you so that we are able to help you in the best possible way. We have found that taking these moments at the beginning and end of each consultation goes a long way in ensuring that you feel confident and comfortable with us.

After you have spent some time talking with us, we will begin the physical examination of your mouth, teeth and gums. Going slowly so that you feel relaxed and explaining what we are doing at every point during the examination, so that you are confident with the proceedings, we will examine your mouth for anything out of the ordinary.

We will look at your bite to ensure that it is aligned and your teeth and gums to see if they are free from disease, decay or infection.

We may need to perform some X-rays to gain a deeper understanding of your oral health, but towards the end of your initial consultation, we will be able to give you a detailed report as a result of our analysis.

From this, we will recommend your next dental plan of action and talk to you about the possible ways in which we can care for your smile in the future.  If restorative treatments are necessary, sedation will be offered to ensure that you feel as comfortable as possible with moving forward and creating a smile that you can be proud to share.

For those of you who are a little hesitant about visiting your local, non-judgemental and friendly dentist, you should rest assured knowing that we have many measures in place to allow nervous patients in Guildford to feel relaxed and at ease.

We understand that people can feel apprehensive before a dental examination and sometimes a little embarrassed, because of the length of time it has been since their last check-up. Many people avoid going to the dentist and we realise that the reasons behind this can be numerous and varied, just as our patients are.

The fact of the matter is, whether it is a past experience that has put you off coming in, a fear of dental treatments and the process by which we examine and care for your teeth, or the potential cost of treatments; avoiding the dentist is going to have a negative impact on your overall health and wellbeing.

Nervous patients in Guildford need to understand that specialist care for their oral health is essential, to ensure that they can reduce the need for complex restorative care or painful conditions that could have been more easily avoided should they have visited a professional more often.

Dentists are non-judgemental and compassionate when tending to their patients’ needs. We know that the longer you leave it, the harder it is to come in. Rather than looking into the past and making comments on what should have or could have been done to maintain your oral health; we prefer to look to the future and present you with actionable choices that allow you to enjoy your smile again and keep it healthy for the years to come.

Let us know if you are one of the many nervous patients in Guildford that we come across and we will make sure that options are readily available to you, so that your experience can be as pleasant as possible.

What can we do for you?

To start with, our dental practice prides itself on exuding a warm and welcoming atmosphere so that you can relax and take your mind off any impending treatments, before heading in to see one of our professionals.

During a treatment, you have the opportunity to receive sedation in addition to the numbing or pain relief that is given whenever slight discomfort might be experienced. An anaesthetic is used so that you do not feel anything besides gentle pushing, during treatments that may involve interaction with the tooth nerve.

Sedation is administered either as a gas or intravenously during these appointments, so that your mind can relax and you can experience feelings of deep peace.

Otherwise known as laughing gas, this sedation is beneficial for both patients who are uncomfortable during treatments and for dentists, because they can work swiftly to get the restorative or cosmetic treatment completed and do not have to be concerned with their patient needing constant breaks. If you think that sedation might be a good option for you, then let us know prior to your appointment, so that we are able to go through routine checks in order to offer you a more relaxed means of dental care.