Does the thought of sitting in the dentist’s chair leave you quaking with fear? You’re not alone – more than 10 million adults in the UK have some level of dental anxiety, and an estimated six million suffer from dental phobia. According to a recent study published in the International Dental Journal, dental anxiety can impact people both psychologically and socially, leading to feelings of shame, poor self-confidence, and social isolation. Read on to find out how you can beat your fear of visiting the dentist and boost your mental well-being. 
 
1. Research your options 
Knowing that you will be treated by a dentist who is gentle and respectful of your anxiety can provide reassurance before you set foot in the dental practice. Here at Park Dental Care, we have helped hundreds of people like you achieve the results they wanted in comfort and with compassion. You are welcome to call the practice to arrange to meet the team and register without even having to see a dental chair. 
 
2. Make an appointment 
Making an appointment can go a long way toward helping you overcome your dental anxiety. Call our practice first thing in the morning so you have less time to dwell on it. If you leave the phone call until later in the day you will be more likely to find an excuse and back out. 
 
3. Talk to your dentist 
New clients at Park Dental Care are welcomed by a friendly and sympathetic team who will treat you like they would want to be treated themselves. When you arrive at the practice, ask a lot of questions about what will happen during your procedure and make sure you us know about your anxiety. We are used to dealing with nervous patients and will be happy to reassure you by talking through any concerns and explaining dental procedures in detail. The more information you have, the less anxious you’ll be when you’re sitting in the chair. 
 
4. Bring support 
If you need to bring a friend or family member with you to your appointment to hold your hand or give you moral support, do it! Here at Park Dental Care, we are more than happy to have an extra person in the room, especially if they have a calming effect on our patients. Listening to your own music or bringing a personal item with you to the appointment such as a soft toy or stress ball may also help to reduce anxiety. 
 
5. Practice relaxation techniques 
Relaxation exercises are a great way to help you stay calm during treatment. Practice controlled breathing before your appointment – this is as simple as taking a deep breath and exhaling very slowly. Breathing like this will help to relax your muscles and slow your heartbeat, which should have a calming effect. Other relaxation techniques, such as meditation and visualisation, may also help reduce stress levels. 
 
 
At Park Dental Care, we welcome new patients. Our dentists are highly experienced at dealing with nervous patients and we offer a personal, compassionate service to all our clients. Call us today to make an appointment. 
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