Leave Dental Fear Behind
We often know what we need to do, but it’s easier said than done. Shortages of time, money, or motivation frequently set up roadblocks on our journey to better health. Or anxiety may hold us back when nothing else really stands in the way. Fear is a critical protective mechanism, but it can also paralyze and keep us from taking care of ourselves. In fact, up to 75% of the population feels some level of fear when facing dental care.
We’re here to help you discover a better experience.
Dental fear often stems from legitimate causes, but it doesn’t need to define your future dental experiences. At Lifetime Smiles, we understand that some patients step through the door with a little anxiety, others with a lot. Finding ways to ease the intensity of those feelings shapes the mission of our team.
Trust Matters
Partnering with professionals that take your trust seriously is the first step towards overcoming dental fear. Unfortunately, many stories about bad dental experiences and uncaring dentists circulate in conversations. In fact, your story may be underscored by unpleasant treatment visits. We understand that helping you step beyond that story and into a new chapter is critical to your future dental health. The genuine commitment to empathetic listening at Lifetime Smiles is a foundation we build relationships around. No belittling, blaming, or shaming…just empathy.
Without the vital trust component, no other technique will prove very useful or lead to meaningful change. A brick building rises by placing one brick at a time. In the same way, we’re willing to build trust with you one positive interaction at a time. Setting up a gameplan that feels right to you is a critical step in the trust-building process.
Options For Your Comfort
During the initial discovery process, Dr. Beke discusses valuable options to help you through a treatment appointment. Some patients benefit from the careful use of mild sedation, including oral medications taken just before an appointment. Many patients know about “laughing gas,” or nitrous oxide, absorbed by normal breathing to create a relaxed feeling. Inhaled sedation is easily reversed when your visit ends and it has minimal effect on your day’s activities. A higher level of dental fear may be settled by the combination of medications tailored to your needs and health history. If you need sedation to complete treatment, be sure to make our team aware of your concerns so we can develop a strategy together.
Sometimes overcoming dental fear is as simple as streaming your favorite music through headphones during treatment. Or maybe scheduling your appointment at a specific time of day raises your comfort level. Other patients find that just maintaining a sense of control over their treatment makes all the difference. So whether overcoming dental anxiety involves medications or music, the key is to find a plan that works for you. That’s why Dr. Beke and his team look forward to listening to your concerns and designing care that’s customized for you…every step of the way.
