Anxious for your next visit to the dentist? Here’s your Nanaimo dentists’ tips for managing dental anxieties.
Anxiety and fear of the dentist is quite common—but it doesn’t have to be! Our Nanaimo dentists, Dr. Nadia Malik and Dr. Corinne Bligh, are committed to easing dental anxiety by providing comfortable, exceptional dental care in Nanaimo, BC.
Dental anxiety is extremely important to overcome because it can affect your oral health. When someone has fears surrounding visits to the dentist, they are more likely to put off appointments and develop more dental concerns. The longer cleanings and checkups with your Nanaimo dentist are delayed, the more likely you are to develop a more severe dental issue and require additional procedures. With cavities among the most common concerns to develop, you can quickly understand how not overcoming your fear dental visits, only further reinforces the fear.
Fear and anxiety surrounding visits to the dentist can stem from a number of concerns. Patients may have had unfortunate experiences in the past, a fear of injections or drills, fear or embarrassment of the condition of teeth, claustrophobia, a fear of pain, or even fear of the unknown.
The Nanaimo Smiles team of dental professionals works with patients individually to create a dental visit plan that helps ease their dental anxieties. As a dental patient of Nanaimo Smiles, you have options. Here are some methods our team has put into place to help ease your dental concerns:
Office Atmosphere
When designing our second dental practice at 2700 Norwell Drive, Nanaimo BC, Dr. Nadia Malik chose interiors, colours and finishes that embody the comfort of your own home. Nanaimo Smiles aims to be your dental home for years to come and understands that a comfortable space can do wonders for aiding dental anxieties. Our waiting area and front desk area through to our treatment rooms feature calming colours and a relaxing modern design.
Better Technology
Nanaimo Smiles embraces the newest technology on the market to help make your visits more comfortable. Our team is constantly training and learning how new devices can improve the patient experience. For example, if a patient has a fear of gagging or is claustrophobic, technology such like our 3D scanner can be extremely helpful. Gone are the days where messy impressions are required to get an accurate understanding of a patient’s mouth for Invisalign, mouth guards, etc. With this scanner technology, a small handheld piece allows us to create a virtual 3D scan quickly and effectively. This method allows patients to take breaks when needed and to not undergo that uncomfortable moment of removing a sticky impression tray.
Nitrous Oxide
Depending on the nature of your dental procedure and level anxiety, nitrous oxide may be a good option for you. Nanaimo Smiles offers nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, to help ease discomfort during dental procedures. To learn more about this option, please speak to our front desk team ahead of your Nanaimo Smiles appointment—pre and post instructions will be provided if this option is recommended.
Calming Measures
In order to make your dental visit as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, there are a few tools you are welcomed to bring with you to your dental appointment.
While our team Ioves play music and listen while we see patients throughout the day, patients are welcomed to bring their own music to listen to during the duration of their treatment. Patients may also bring an iPad or tablet with their favourite tv show or movie to help distract them. Stress balls or weighted blankets can also be helpful aids for patients with dental anxiety, please feel free to bring these options to your Nanaimo Smiles dental appointment.
Friendly Nanaimo Dental Appointments
Dental visits are a lot less scary when the dentists are as kind and funny as Dr. Nadia Malik and Dr. Corinne Bligh, both who can often be found laughing around the office. Along with providing good, cheesy jokes, our Nanaimo dentists provide a great deal of care and understanding of your dental fears.
Nanaimo Smiles has a simple motto: All smiles welcome. We see patients of all backgrounds without ever casting judgment. Whether it’s been six months or 20 years since your last visit to the dentist, you will be treated with the same kindness, respect and care. We understand the condition of your teeth can cause insecurity; our goal is to ensure you leave our office smiling confidently.
Please speak to our front desk team and your Nanaimo dentist about any fears or anxieties you may have and we will work with you to create a patient visit plan. And if you only take one thing away from this article, let it be frequency. The more regular your dentist visits (biannually is highly recommended), the better your oral health will be and the fewer procedures (cavity fillings, etc.) you will require. Oftentimes it’s the unknown that causes anxiety. With regular dental cleanings and checkups in our Nanaimo office, you’ll be confident that your oral health is well…healthy!
To become a Nanaimo Smiles patient or book your next treatment, call 250-245-8558.