Scared of the Dentist? Don’t Stress — Let’s Talk.

If you get anxious about going to the dentist, you’re not alone. Not by a long shot. Some studies show nearly three-fourths of American adults experience anxiety or outright fear when they even think about visiting the dentist. About 1 in 10 Americans experience enough fear to classify it as a phobia. It’s okay. We know going to the dentist can seem scary!

But avoiding dental care as a result of dental anxiety can result in serious consequences for you and your teeth. Even if you’re nervous about going to the dentist, it’s extremely important to do what’s necessary to keep your mouth clean and healthy.

We want all of our patients to be as comfortable as possible when they visit our office, so we do everything we can to give our guests a comfortable, calming environment. But there are a few things you can do on your own to help make your visit a little easier.

One: Talk with your dentist

If you’re stressed about your upcoming visit to our office, one of the best things you can do is talk with us about it. Having a clear understanding of what your visit will be like – even visualizing what will occur during your appointment – can do wonders. It’s possible we can make special accommodations to make things more comfortable for you. You’re not the first person who’s been worried about a visit to your dentist’s office, and you won’t be the last! We’re here to help.

Two: Take deep breaths

We all know that deep, relaxing breaths can help reduce our stress, but sometimes we need a reminder. If you’re feeling anxiety about your visit as you drive to our office or you begin feeling fear as you sit in our waiting room, begin by taking a deep breath in, holding it for a second, and slowly letting it out. That’s the most basic start toward relaxation, and it works for almost any situation. Continue relaxing breaths throughout your appointment.

Three: Bring a friend

Bringing someone you trust to our office with you is one of the best ways to reduce the stress of your dental appointment. Not only will your companion’s presence be comforting, but that person can help make sure everything is going well and get you home safely if you’re under the effects of anesthesia. Pleasant conversation can distract you from your nervousness and help pass the time more quickly.

Four: Plan your appointment well

Yes, life is stressful. But you don’t need the stress of life to cause extra anxiety during your dental appointment. If you’re already nervous about your visit, it won’t help to carry in the anxiety of a bad day at work. Schedule your appointment for a day when you don’t have anything big going on outside of our office. If you have a dental appointment scheduled, try to keep the rest of the day clear. That way, your mind can be rested and fresh for your procedure.

Whatever the cause of your anxiety over a visit to our office for your cleaning or other dental procedure, we can manage it together. We want all our patients to be as comfortable as possible, and we want you to look at your visit to the dentist as a good thing. If you have any questions about a dental procedure, or if there is something we can do to ease your worry, give us a call at (712) 255-1440 We’ll work as a team to keep your next visit to the dentist stress-free!

Laughing Gas Eases Dental Procedures

 

What to Expect When You Get a Dental Checkup

The Dentist of Siouxland at Lakeport

3434 S. Lakeport St.
Sioux City, IA 51106
View Map

Hours

Monday: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Front Desk Only)

Phone

(712) 276-8391

Email Address

Lakeport@dentistofsiouxland.com

The Dentist of Siouxland at Hamilton

Hablamos Español

2930 Hamilton Blvd
STE 103, Building Upper F
Sioux City, IA 51104
View Map

Hours

Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Phone

(712) 255-1440

Email Address

Hamilton@dentistofsiouxland.com

The Dentist of Siouxland at Elk Point

109 E. Main Street
P.O. Box 368
Elk Point, SD 57025
View Map

Hours

Monday: 7:30 a.m - 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 8:00 a.m - 5:30 p.m.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: Closed

Phones answered during normal business hours any day Monday-Friday

Phone

(605) 356-2271

Email Address

elkpoint@dentistofsiouxland.com