How to Deal With Dental Anxiety | WA & OR Locations

How to Deal With Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety is common and not something you should feel ashamed of. At Smiles Dental, we have worked hard to provide an atmosphere of comfort and relaxation. There are several proven methods to overcome dental anxiety, and we employ them at our offices. These are just a few of the innovative approaches to care you can expect at our office.

worried girl with dental anxiety

Sit Back, Relax, & Enjoy

Because we know the dental experience isn’t typically pleasant for everyone, we provide a cozy environment in our offices. You’ll feel the Smiles Dental difference as soon as you walk through the door. Pleasant lighting, blankets, pillows, and iPads are all available to you while you wait for your treatment. Many of our dental rooms have a TV, so you can binge-watch your favorite show while having your teeth cleaned. We promise the time will fly.

Ask Away!

We pride ourselves on valuing transparency and communication, and we love questions. We’ll answer any questions you may have about your treatment and will then show you the method for anyone who may be nervous. This means we will slowly walk you through what you can expect and make sure you are completely comfortable with what is happening before we proceed. A lot of fear arises from what is unknown, so we want you to know what to expect.

Take a Look

If you have any anxiety about a procedure or cleaning as it is being done, we are happy to show you what we are doing. This helps to ease the stress of the unknown. We’ll show you through our intraoral camera exactly what we’re working on so you know you are in good hands.

dark haired girl holding her head with dental anxiety

Taking the Edge Off

We offer gentle sedation techniques to those who need an extra bit of calm. Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) is a safe solution for jitters. It wears off quickly and won’t leave you feeling groggy.

More Questions? We Have Answers

Don’t put off an appointment because of dental anxiety! You are in the best hands with Smiles Dental. Come in today to tour our offices and we will make you see why our patients look forward to their dental check-ups!

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Are you ready for the happy, healthy smile of your dreams? When you choose Smiles Dental Services, you’re putting your smile in the hands of highly-trained professionals you can trust. Above all, we provide our patients with leading-edge dentistry that goes above and beyond.

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Dental Anxiety

Dental Anxiety

Our caring team at Smiles Dental understands that many patients struggle with dental anxiety. Whether you feel small butterflies in your stomach, paralyzing fear, or anything in between, dental anxiety can make it difficult for you to receive the dental care you need for a healthy, bright smile. We are here to help you feel relaxed and comfortable during your visits to our offices.

comfortable on couch, no Dental Anxiety

Advanced, Comfortable Dental Care

If your anxiety is caused by a negative experience in the past, you have no need to worry; dental technology, techniques, and chairside manner have improved dramatically in recent years, and our team is here to do all we can to help you feel more comfortable. Many patients also feel nervous because they are uncertain of what their visits will include. Our dentists and team members are always happy to explain every step in your treatment so you can feel at ease during your time with us. Our goal is to show you that dental visits can be a positive, stress-free experience!

Our Signature, Relaxing Services

We are pleased to offer an array of services and amenities to help reduce your unease and provide you with a more enjoyable dental experience:

Transparency & Communication

We ask questions of you, and we want you to ask us questions, too. We want you to be honest with us; with open communication, we can help you overcome most anxieties.

The Tell, Show, Do Method

The “Tell, Show, Do,” technique is especially helpful for patients who are anxious because they do not know all of the details of their treatment. We will first tell you what we are going to do, then we will show you how we will do it, and then we will do it. Throughout your visit, we will check in with you to make sure you are comfortable and to see if you need a break.

Blankets, Pillows & More

We provide warm blankets and soft pillows to help you feel more comfortable. In addition, many of our offices offer TVs and movies in the treatment room.

Want to See?

If seeing what is going on would help you feel more comfortable, feel free to ask us for a mirror. We also utilize intraoral cameras so that we can show you a dentist’s view of your mouth while we go over treatment plans and diagnoses.

Sedation Dentistry

The Smiles Dental offices offer a variety of sedation options to treat your dental anxiety and help you feel calmer during your visit, whether it’s for a dental cleaning or a more complex treatment. Depending on your needs, our dentists may recommend oral medication, inhalation sedation (nitrous oxide/laughing gas), topical medications, or IV sedation. We are happy to help you find the solution that is right for you.

To learn more about how we can help you overcome dental anxiety, we welcome you to contact your nearest office today. Our team is eager to care for you!

Top-Notch Smiles Start in Our Dental Office

The Smiles team is pleased to provide excellent dentistry in the Pacific Northwest. Contact the office nearest you today to learn more about what we can do for your smile!

Visit our sister locations at Optima Dental Spa!