With advances in modern dentistry, a trip to Trade Winds Dental these days is pretty routine. But visiting Dr. David Hennington and our team still makes some patients nervous—so much so that they don’t go as often as they should and end up with costly complications down the road, such as tooth decay or gum disease.
When it comes to dental care, prevention is the best medicine. And that begins with regular checkups and dental cleanings at our convenient Georgetown, TX office. Today, we thought we would offer five tips for taking the pain out of a visit to see Dr. David Hennington:
1. Ask yourself: What are you most afraid of? Is it the sound of the drill? Do you have needle phobia? Have previous dental visits traumatized you? Write down your fears, one by one and talk about them during your visit.
2. Don’t wait. With frequent visits to our office, less work will be needed to be done. Simply having your teeth cleaned professionally by Dr. David Hennington twice a year prevents many, if not most, problems down the road.
3. Bring a distraction such as music to your appointment. Just plug in those earphones, close your eyes, and get lost in the music. Listening to tunes can also be a pain killer.
4. Unwind. Inhaling slowly and counting to five helps. Try holding your breath for ten seconds, then exhale slowly to the count of eight, and repeat as needed.
5. Ask us. Before any given procedure, we encourage you to ask Dr. David Hennington or one of our assistants why we’re using the tools we’re using. Ask us what we’re doing, what the tool is used for, and how it benefits you. Also, please ask about anti-anxiety medications we may prescribe to help you relax during your appointment.
If you suffer from dental anxiety, a visit to Trade Winds Dental might seem like a daunting prospect. Perhaps you had a bad experience in the past, but whatever the reason, please know that at our Georgetown, TX office, there is nothing to be afraid of.
Remember, you’re not alone. We understand that going to the dentist isn’t easy for everyone. In fact, the Journal of the American Dental Association estimates that as many as 12 percent of adults suffer from dental anxiety so bad that they avoid the dentist altogether. Many more suffer from varying degrees of dental anxiety, which often results in poor oral health.
If you suffer from dental anxiety, your fears don’t have to keep you from seeing Dr. David Hennington. Our patients at Trade Winds Dental are our most important asset, and we strive to create a comfortable experience, no matter how long it has been since your last visit at our Georgetown, TX office. We hope to see you soon!