How To Overcome Dental Anxiety

At the Charleston, SC dentist office of Dr. R. Edward Hudgens, we are committed to providing positive patient experiences to anyone who visits our office. Our goal is for you to feel relaxed and comfortable enough to receive your necessary dental care.

We understand that some people may have more difficulty relaxing in the dental chair than others. Dr. Hudgens, an experienced Charleston dentist, offers these three tips to patients who are struggling to overcome their dental anxiety:

BRING A FRIEND & SOME MUSIC

Some patients have had previous bad experiences at other dental practices, which prevents them from feeling comfortable in the dental chair. We invite patients who experience fear of the dentist to bring a friend with them to their appointments. Even if the friend is simply waiting in the waiting room for you to complete your appointment, this is often enough for patients to feel a little more confident about their required procedures. Additionally, if you are sensitive to the noises of dental equipment, it’s a good idea to bring some headphones so that you may listen to music on your phone while we preform your procedure.

ASK QUESTIONS

Patients are encouraged to ask any questions they may have before, during, or after their dental appointment. We believe that an informed patient is a healthier patient, meaning we are always happy to discuss your dental health with you. If you are unsure about a procedure you need, or want to learn more about your treatment options, simply ask one of our amazing team members for more information. We take the time to ensure that you are fully informed about all of our processes and procedures so that you can relax and know what to expect every step of the way. In fact, patients who are nervous about their first dental appointment at our practice can view our What To Expect page for extensive details on what they can expect during their first visit.

CONSIDER SEDATION DENTISTRY OPTIONS

Sedation dentistry options like oral conscious sedation or laughing gas can greatly help patients with dental anxiety. These controlled sedation options will keep you calm and comfortable, but still conscious and aware, during your dental procedures. This is especially helpful for patients in need of extensive dental work. Our sedation dentistry options are available to patients of all ages, depending only on your medical history. If you would like to learn more about your sedation dentistry options for an upcoming procedure, please schedule a sedation consultation with Dr. Hudgens. We look forward to helping you enjoy going to the dentist again.