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.

Dentophobia- a fear of going to the dentist- is extremely common amongst many children and adults in the UK. Nervous patients in Guildford usually have something in common – they experience anxiety attached to trips to the dentists for reasons that may, or may not, be rational. Nervous patients in Guildford may be suffering from dental phobia whether they realise it or not. But the question is, what makes nervous patients in Guildford so afraid?

A fear of pain

No one likes pain, let alone dental pain which can be extremely traumatic and scarring. Once a person endures a particularly painful procedure with a dentist, it is extremely difficult to overcome and forget about it. In many cases, it becomes lodged in our brains and serves as a reminder that all experiences with a dentist must be the same. But this isn’t true whatsoever, no two experiences are ever the same. Thanks to anaesthetics, most procedures nowadays are actually painless. Some patients may experience minor discomfort after an invasive procedure, but this can usually be managed with over-the-counter painkillers.

Remembering a bad experience

One bad experience can set a precedent for every dental visit in the future. One bad experience can induce intense fear and can often stop patients visiting their dental practice when necessary, or ever again for that matter. Unfortunately, some procedures can vastly change the state of your mouth and may take a long time to complete. Naturally, this would be nerve-racking, but it should never put you off visiting your dentist ever again. In most circumstances, the worst has been and gone, and it can only get better.

Worried about bad news?

Fear of bad news is common across all medical fields. With modern technology such as google, it is very easy to self-diagnose and let anxiety consume us. Putting off news from your dentist can be very detrimental for your health if your condition is serious. No one wants to receive bad news, but it is necessary to improve your life in the long term and speaking to your dentist sooner rather than later could save you a lot of money or pain in the future. That being said, not all news is bad and patients need to remind themselves of that.

Fear of tools

Some dental instruments can look intimidating and scary. From drills to metal scrapers, some of their tools can induce fear in patients and can turn routine check-ups into traumatic experiences. Dental tools cannot be changed but rest assured, they are being handled by a professional at Farnham Road Dental Practice who knows how to work them. In most cases, they look scarier than they are.

Feeling vulnerable

Feeling vulnerable during a procedure can cause intense anxiety and fear. Lack of control or feeling trapped are common emotions to experience during dental work, but often this can spiral and lead to more fears. However, your dentist will always explain each and every step of the procedure to you, which should eliminate the fear of not knowing. 

A trip to the dentist for nervous patients in Guildford can be daunting for many reasons. Nervous patients in Guildford worry that it will be painful, embarrassing, and frightening, but our professionals, here at Farnham Road Dental Practice, are experienced in helping patients overcome their fears. Nervous patients in Guildford will always be listened to and supported through treatment, because we understand that dental work can be traumatic. Here are our tips on how to handle your dental anxiety. 

Choose the right dentist

If you suffer from dental anxiety, selecting a dentist who will listen and consider your fears is very important. A dentist who is empathetic and patient is more likely to present these qualities during your treatment, as opposed to someone who is not. For children who suffer from dental anxiety, try seeking out a paediatric dentist who is trained to deal with youngsters. This is particularly important for children, because one negative experience could traumatise them for many years, turning even minor procedures, such as routine check-ups, into a distressing event.

Change your perception of fear

Pain is an experience that sticks with us all. Anaesthetic and numbing gel are effective in numbing or alleviating pain but depending on the procedure, some pain may linger. In order to overcome your fear of pain, experts would recommend performing deep breathing exercises to slow your heartbeat and clear your mind. Similarly, learning different ways to relax before your appointment could help with pain management and make your entire experience more bearable.

Request numbing gel

Studies have shown that across all medical fields, one in five people are scared of needles. Needles can be very intimidating, and it is natural to feel nervous, especially when that needle is being injected into your mouth. Rest assured, dentists will usually administer numbing gel to relieve the pain of injection and will always take your anxiety into consideration. Most patients have described that with numbing gel, dental injections have been completely painless.

Listen to music

Fear can sometimes be triggered by sounds and in the case of dental care, drills can instil huge levels of anxiety. This is normal, but an empathetic dentist will also consider this fear and suggest ways to improve the situation. Use headphones to drown out the sound. Music can be incredibly soothing and distracting, and could help drown out the daunting buzz of a dental drill.

Anaesthetic is not as frightening as it seems

Anaesthetic across dental and medical fields can be an area of great concern. A lot of people worry that they will still experience pain, whereas others fear the sensation of numbness and feeling out of control. The anaesthetic used during dental procedures simply numbs a particular area, but does not stop the ability to function. Even if your cheek or tongue feels swollen when numbed, you will still be able to swallow properly and move them.

It is natural to feel embarrassed

Dentists deal with damaged, discoloured, and decaying teeth every single day, which is why you should never feel ashamed about the condition of yours. Being open and honest about this with your dentist could prevent unwarranted anxiety and apprehension. Their words of reassurance could make your experience far more relaxing.