Emergency Dentist in Manchester – Drilling Down on Dental Fears and How to Get the Treatment You Need!

14 October 2019

Emergency Dentist in Manchester – Drilling Down on Dental Fears and How to Get the Treatment You Need!

If you suffer from acute dental fear or anxiety, then even setting foot inside a dental clinic is a big ask. So just imagine the need to call on an emergency dentist in Manchester for more invasive treatments and repairs.

Chances are, it’s going to be nigh on impossible!

But as a long-serving Manchester dentist, we’ll let you into a secret…

You’re not alone!

Research suggests that 3 in every 4 people feel some sort of anxiety before any kind of treatment. Whether that’s a simple dental check-up or when undergoing lengthier treatments like dental implants. In Manchester at least, dental anxiety is commonplace.

The difference perhaps is that dental fears and phobias in some people are more deep-rooted and therefore more disabling than in others.

While these stats aren’t going to make you feel a whole lot better about your dental phobia, there are some top tips that you can use to help you get the treatment you need. Let’s take a closer look…

Ask yourself why…

One way to better deal with severe dental phobia or anxiety is to consider the ‘why’. Ask yourself why you feel the way you do and consider what worries you the most about stepping into a dental clinic.

Is it the sounds and smells that trigger unpleasant memories of a childhood dental visit, or is it a perceived notion that any treatment you have is going to hurt? It could be the thought of having to experience a dental needle, or maybe it’s the health and hygiene aspect and a deep concern that you may catch some type of airborne virus or bacterial infection.

Once you can pinpoint the root cause of your dental anxiety, then it becomes a starting point to seeking the right help to enable you to deal with it.

Here’s the good news…

Dental techniques and technology have improved so much over the last 5-10 years that there’s a strong chance that a visit to the dentist today is nothing like your previous encounter.

Health and safety procedures, for instance, are far more stringent now than they ever were and the focus by dentists on dental hygiene for children and adults here in the UK is second to none.

Modern dentists are also well-versed in the art of gentle dentistry. Nowadays, even greater focus is placed on patient comfort. When combined with the latest dental technology, even invasive treatments like dental implants in Manchester or a visit to an emergency dentist, leaves Manchester patients feeling like the thought of facing the treatment is a lot worse than the treatment itself.

In fact, pain-free dentistry in the second decade of the 21^st century is fast becoming the norm rather than the exception!

Another key point in the fight to better manage your dental anxiety is to…

Talk to your dentist

More and more dentists are now better equipped to understand patient fears and no longer is dental anxiety something that patients need to deal with (or not) on their own.

Many dentists, including the team here at Church Road Dental and Cosmetics, are dental phobia certified. This means that we can help.

Our team, for example, can apply several coping strategies so that you can have the treatment you need when you need it most. These include but are not limited to…

• Breathing techniques

• Distraction therapy – listening to music or looking at overhead screens

• Treatment explanation – talking to you in lay terms about what we’re going to do and how we’re going to do i

• Ensuring patient control – placing you in control of your comfort levels – letting us know when you feel comfortable to proceed and/or when to stop

• Administering relative analgesia – nitrous oxide (happy gas)

• Administering conscious (twilight) sedation

In addition, we can also suggest help with short targeted therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and would be happy to refer you to an experienced psychologist should the need arise.

Most importantly, however, modern dentists are taught to listen and respond to the individual needs of each patient. As such dentistry is moving away from a ‘one size fits all’ type strategy to deliver a tailored approach.

Ultimately, this means that you get the treatment you need in an as pleasant and relaxing manner as possible.

So now, you’ve addressed the cause of your problem and talked to your dentist, the next step is to make and attend an appointment. This is naturally the most stressful part for many severely anxious patients but with a little forethought and planning, it can be achieved.

The key to coping better with that anxious feeling is to incorporate our third and final tip…

Setting aside plenty of time

While it’s understandable that as the day draws near, anxiety levels may rise, the key is to book an appointment at a time of day when it’s most convenient for you. This may be the first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon/evening when all other commitments are completed. The idea is to clear your diary so you have nothing else to worry about.

Getting to your appointment may also be stressful particularly if you’re caught in traffic and arrive in a rush, so don’t forget to allow yourself plenty of time. Doing so is more likely to put you in a relaxed frame of mind. Of course, this mightn’t always be possible, especially if you need an emergency dentist in Manchester but primarily, when it comes to appointments at least, it’s best to ensure that you are always in control.

So there you have it…

While this isn’t a comprehensive guide to curing your dental phobia, it does give you sufficient information to be able to at least have the treatment you need or want and that’s the important thing!

Why not contact the team at Church Road Dental and Cosmetics to see how we can help. We’re more than happy to meet with you prior to an appointment and show you around our clinic for peace of mind. This way, you know what to expect when you arrive for your actual appointment. To find out more contact us on 0161 486 0743 and let us help you to overcome your dental fears today!