How do I get over my fear of going to the dentist?

Dentophobia, the fear of dentists and dental work, is a very real problem that’s surprisingly common in children as well as adults. In fact, research shows that 50% to 80% of adults in the United States experience mild to severe dental anxiety.

If you experience dentophobia, whether it be mild anxiety or severe fear, it might cause you to avoid seeing a dentist. This can leave you feeling frustrated. You know your oral health is important but your dental anxiety is an obstacle.

One of the most impactful things you can do to conquer your dental anxiety is find a dentist who wants to help you on your journey. Tomasik Family Dental’s team has helped many dentophobia-sufferers work through their fears, relax their worries, and even begin to look forward to their dental appointments.

Here are six ways we help patients like you feel less anxious, stressed, and fearful in our practice.

1. We treat you like family, not a customer.

The Tomasik Family Dental team is all about family – not only our own, but also our patient family. When you visit us we want you to feel like you’re visiting friends, not simply receiving dentistry as a customer.

We take the time to get to know you as a person and a patient. We genuinely want to learn about your life, your interests, and what you do for fun around our community. We also want to learn about your dental history, medical history, and your experience with your dental anxiety, so please feel free to share about these things when you come see us!

2. Our office is clean and inviting.

We don’t have to tell you that your environment can have either a positive or negative impact on your mental health and dental anxiety. Dental practices are medical environments, but that doesn’t mean they should feel impersonal or unwelcoming.

At Tomasik Family Dental, we’ve designed and decorated our office to exceed safety standards for sterility and cleanliness without sacrificing comfort. You can take a look at how inviting and warm our practice is by taking a virtual tour of our office.

3. We take time to discuss your concerns and fears.

Dental anxiety is different for everyone. Worries and stress may be triggered by past bad experiences, anticipation of pain or discomfort, social anxiety while being around people you don’t know, or even concerns over financial factors.

We always ask what does and doesn’t make you feel anxious, in order to better understand your needs. For example, some patients like to know everything that is happening in detail before we do it while others prefer not to know the details as this raises their anxiety. We also ensure you are 100% ready to move forward with treatment before we take the first step. This can include going over the entire process with you in detail or providing an accurate estimate for treatment expenses with or without insurance.

4. We work within your comfort zone.

Feeling like you don’t have control is a surefire trigger for anxiety, discomfort, and fear. It’s important to feel physically and emotionally in control, and we help you with this in a couple of ways.

We always work at your pace, even if that means taking things slow or giving you a break if needed. We also pride ourselves in providing a no-pressure atmosphere. Our dentists only recommend treatments or services that are important for your oral health, but oftentimes there may be alternatives. If a recommended procedure makes you feel nervous, please let your dentist know. You can discuss different options and ask questions to help you better understand what may be best for your oral health.

5. We offer sedation dentistry for relaxation.

Sedation dentistry is a versatile service that can be a fantastic tool for patients with dental anxiety. Sedation can be used to help you remain conscious but more relaxed during a procedure or whisk you away to sleep during extensive dental care.

We provide mild sedation in the form of nitrous oxide all the way to general anesthesia. Nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, is especially popular as it helps aid in relaxation and takes the edge off your anxiety while still being completely conscious and aware.

6. Our office is outfitted with the latest technology.

Our dentists stay up-to-date with the latest in dental technology advancements and outfit our practice with the best equipment. Modern dental technology not only helps us provide superior care, but it also helps you feel more comfortable as a patient. For example, digital 3D imaging means no more gooey putty impressions and many procedures can be accomplished with a ultra-precise, gentle dental laser instead of a drill.

If you notice an interesting piece of equipment in our office, we’ll eagerly explain what it is, what it does, and how it benefits you as a patient.

Experience the Tomasik Family Dental difference for yourself.

Choosing a dentist is a very personal decision. You certainly want to find a practice that’s clean and modern with an experienced team, but you also want to find a dentist that meshes well with your personality.

Scheduling a visit is a great way to see how Tomasik Family Dental can meet your needs and offer a safe, comfortable atmosphere in which you can begin working through your dentophobia. You can book an appointment today by calling our Bee Cave, TX office or requesting a visit online.