If the thought of going to the dentist sends chills down your spine and sets your heart racing, you probably have what\u2019s known as dental anxiety.<\/p>\n
Millions of Americans experience some level of fear about their dental visit. In fact, an estimated 58% of them are so afraid, they skip dental appointments altogether! While this is understandable, avoiding the dentist isn\u2019t good for your oral health.<\/p>\n
Dr. Finley at Bayou Dental Group knows how you feel. As someone who had bad experiences in the dental chair as a kid, he knows all too well how those experiences can affect you later in life. That\u2019s why Dr. Finley, and all of us here in our Monroe dental office, do all we can to make sure your experience with us is comfortable and positive.<\/p>\n
Since it\u2019s July, when we celebrate our great country\u2019s independence, we thought it was the perfect chance to talk to you about another kind of freedom\u2026 one that will allow you to get back on track toward a healthier smile. <\/p>\n
We\u2019re sharing information about dental anxiety and how our caring team at Bayou Dental Group can help you break free from it for good!<\/p>\n
One of the best ways to overcome your fear is to first try to identify where it\u2019s coming from. Now, we know that most people don\u2019t skip excitedly to the dentist\u2019s office. Even the strongest among us may feel at least a little anxious about going. <\/p>\n
But when you\u2019re so nervous that you\u2019re physically affected by it, maybe with sweaty palms or intense butterflies in your stomach, or worse, you avoid going at all, it\u2019s time to take a serious look at what\u2019s causing those feelings. <\/p>\n
So here are some common reasons people have dental anxiety:<\/p>\n
You Haven\u2019t Been To The Dentist In A Long TIme<\/i><\/p>\n
If it\u2019s been years since you\u2019ve been to the dentist for a cleaning and exam, you probably feel anxious about what your dentist will find. You might wonder about the state of your oral health and how bad it\u2019s gotten. Fear of the unknown can have a profound impact on your feelings about returning to the dentist for a checkup.<\/p>\n
You Had A Negative Experience In The Dental Chair As A Kid<\/i><\/p>\n
For a kid, it doesn\u2019t take much for them to feel scared. Even a child\u2019s first haircut can be traumatic. So it\u2019s perfectly understandable that you may have had a scary dental appointment and don\u2019t want to risk it happening again. Whether you actually felt any pain during your childhood visits or not, the fear can stay with you for many years. <\/p>\n
You\u2019ve Heard Stories From Others Who\u2019ve Had Bad Experiences<\/i><\/p>\n
Sometimes our dental anxiety comes from simply hearing someone else talk about their horrible appointments. One of the reasons we love books and movies is because they can make you feel like you\u2019re right there experiencing it for yourself. The same is true when a friend or family member shares their troubling experience with you. If they had a bad visit, you\u2019re afraid you will, too.<\/p>\n
All the reasons we just mentioned are totally understandable. But how do you get past your fear? In our Monroe dental office, we can help you feel more comfortable in a number of ways. Here are a few: <\/p>\n
Comfort Options<\/i><\/p>\n
It begins with our warm, caring staff and our comfortable office atmosphere. You\u2019re treated like a part of our family here at Bayou Dental Group. We take our time with you, don\u2019t rush through your appointment, and we listen to your questions and concerns.<\/p>\n
You can also enjoy our comfortable chairs, warm blankets, pillows, and earphones to listen to relaxing music or watch a TV show. We also offer complimentary drinks. Whatever we can do to make you feel at ease, you can count on our friendly team to make that happen. <\/p>\n
Nitrous Oxide And Oral Sedation<\/i><\/p>\n
If you need a little extra help feeling relaxed, we also offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation. While you receive treatment, you\u2019ll feel calm and comfortable so you can get the dental care you need for the healthy smile you deserve. <\/p>\n