How to Handle Dental Anxiety Caused By Coronavirus
If the current pandemic has you feeling anxious, you’re not alone. Whether you need a cleaning or help with a dental issue, you might experience dental anxiety for the first time. Knowing how to handle this type of anxiety when you visit a dentist in Mesa can help you feel more at ease. Keep the following tips in mind to help reduce your anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Table of Contents
Find a Dentist You Trust
Going to a dentist that you trust can go a long way toward helping you feel more comfortable during dental visits. Look for a dentist with years of experience and a reputation for helping patients feel relaxed during dental visits. You should be able to discuss your concerns with your new dentist before you go in for your appointment.
Ask About Safety Procedures and Guidelines
What is your dental office doing to ensure safety when patients need to come in for a visit? Dental offices should take certain precautions and following guidelines that help reduce the spread of illness during the pandemic. For example, will staff members wear a mask? Are patients asked to wear a mask while sitting in the waiting area? Getting detailed information about current safety practices and guidelines can help you feel less anxious about being exposed to coronavirus.
Consider Dental Sedation
Dental sedation can help you feel less nervous during your appointment. Whether you have a basic cleaning or a dental procedure, sedation produces a feeling of calm that makes it easier to handle the visit. You have a few options, including oral anti-anxiety medication, intravenous (IV) sedation, or nitrous oxide.
Different levels of sedation are available, depending on how much anxiety you experience. Some types of sedation keep you semi-conscious during your visit, but you won’t feel pain or discomfort. You also won’t feel anxious or remember what happened during your visit. This helps reduce your risk of experiencing more anxiety the next time you need a cleaning or dental work. Your dentist can go over sedation options with you and recommend the right kind to use for your visits.
Practice Good Dental Hygiene
Taking good care of your teeth and gums helps lower your risk of having a dental emergency. This reduces your need to go to the dentist during the pandemic, which may ease some of your anxiety about coronavirus exposure. Brush your teeth after eating and floss a couple of times per day to remove food particles from between your teeth. Both are effective ways to lower your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, which can lead to infections and other problems. Avoid sugary and starchy foods and eat foods that are good for your teeth, such as foods containing protein. This also prevents dental problems from developing.
How to Handle Dental Concerns
What should you do if you need to see your dentist during the current COVID-19 pandemic? Get in touch to see what your options are for treatment. Your dentist will let you know if you’re experiencing a dental emergency that requires immediate care or if you can wait to schedule an appointment. For example, severe tooth pain or other potential signs of a tooth infection generally require emergency care, but a milder toothache or symptoms might not.
Your dentist can provide you with information on steps to take at home before coming in for treatment, such as how to save a tooth that has fallen out. You may also want to ask about special practices or guidelines in place at your dentist’s office for emergencies that help lower the risk of exposure to coronavirus.
Conclusion
Feeling nervous about exposure to coronavirus is a normal feeling. But letting that anxiety delay dental care you need can lead to problems in the future. Don’t go without the care you need out of fear. Contact us today so we can answer your questions and help you get the treatment you need.
