You are not alone
Maybe you are reading this on a lunch break near King Station, and your stomach tightens at the thought of a dental chair. That is a common worry, and many people tell us they feel the same way.
Some feel a little uneasy before a visit. Others feel so worried that they put off booking for years. If you are somewhere in between, that makes sense too.
Nothing is wrong with you for feeling this way. It is a normal reaction, and our team talks about it with patients often. You are welcome here as you are.
Why a visit can feel stressful
There is usually a reason behind the worry. Knowing yours can help you and our team work out what makes a visit easier. Some common reasons:
- A hard visit in the past, perhaps as a child
- Worry that something might hurt
- The sounds, the smells, or lying back in the chair
- Feeling a loss of control when it is hard to talk
- Embarrassment about your teeth, or about how long it has been since your last visit
- A strong gag reflex, which is when your throat tightens if something touches the back of your mouth
You may have one of these, a few of them, or a reason that is not on this list. Each one makes sense, and none of them is anything to be ashamed of.
For many people, the worry grows the longer they wait, and the phone call starts to feel like the biggest step. Making that call is a fine place to begin, even if you are not sure you are ready.
Tell us how you feel
Let us know you are nervous when you book, or when you sit down in the chair. You do not need to explain why unless you want to. Saying "I get nervous at the dentist" is enough.
Once we know, we can slow down and tell you what we are about to do before we do it. Many people feel calmer when they know what comes next. You stay in charge, and you can ask questions at any time.
You can also tell us about past visits, both what helped and what went badly. If a certain sound, smell or position bothers you, telling us at the start lets us plan around it.
Ways we can make it easier
We can agree on a stop signal before we start. Raising your hand is a common one. When you raise it, we pause so you can breathe, rinse or ask a question, and we carry on when you are ready.
If you are worried about it hurting, ask us about freezing. Freezing is a medicine we place in the gum to numb the area, so you usually feel pressure rather than sharp pain. We check in with you before we begin.
If you have a strong gag reflex, tell us that too. Small changes often help, like sitting up a little more or taking more breaks.
During a cleaning, we let you know before we use the water spray or the suction tube that keeps your mouth dry. If your gums feel tender, tell us and we can slow down and work more gently.
Small things that can help
Our patients often find these ideas helpful. Try one or two and see what suits you.
Slow breathing is easier in the chair if you practise it at home first, a few times a day for a week or so. That way it feels familiar when you need it.
If you would like to know what happens at a first visit, our page on what to expect walks you through it step by step.
- Book a morning visit, so you have less time to worry during the day
- Bring headphones and listen to music or a podcast
- Bring a friend or family member to wait for you
- Practise slow breathing: breathe in for a count of four, then out for a count of six
- Eat a light meal before you come, and skip extra coffee, which can make you feel jittery
- Ask for a short first visit to meet us and talk
- Ask for a short break partway through
If it has been a long time
Many people worry that we might judge them for staying away. Please do not let that keep you from calling. We hear this often, and we are glad to help you get started again.
A first visit back usually starts gently. We look at your teeth and gums, talk about anything that bothers you, and take x-rays if needed. Then we explain what we see and your choices in plain words.
You decide what happens next, and you can take things one step at a time. If there is a lot to do, we can talk about what to look after first. For many people, a teeth cleaning is a good place to start.
Some problems should not wait. Please call us soon if you have a toothache, a broken tooth, or bleeding that does not stop. If you have swelling in your face with a fever, or any trouble swallowing or breathing, go to an emergency department or call 911 right away.
When you feel ready, give us a call or contact us to book. You can tell us you are nervous from the first hello, and we are happy to go at your pace.