Anxiety Management: Kind, Gentle Dental Care At The Grove Family Dental

At The Grove Family Dental, we understand that dental anxiety is a common problem among patients of all ages. While some people are just slightly nervous about dentistry, somewhere between 9-15% of patients say that their anxiety “affects their ability to see the dentist,” and can stop them from getting the preventive dental care they need for a healthy mouth.

So at our office, Dr. Jeron Enaya makes it a point to help patients through dental anxiety, and help them manage feelings of fear, anxiousness, or nervousness. Learn more about our approach to anxiety management in dentistry below. 

We Start With A Discussion About Your Anxiety 

If you are nervous about coming to The Grove Family Dental, we encourage you to discuss your feelings openly with Dr. Winslow. We are happy to set up consultations for patients who have dental anxiety, so that you can get to know Dr. Enaya and the staff at our office, and get more information about our approach to dental anxiety.

In addition, this gives Dr. Enaya more time to learn about you, and discuss the past dental experiences you’ve had that may contribute to your dental anxiety. By having an open, honest discussion about your dental anxiety at The Grove Family Dental, you can take the first step toward getting the care you need.

By Identifying Your “Triggers,” We Can Customize Your Dental Care 

Not all dental anxiety is the same. Every person has different “triggers” that may make them feel more nervous and anxious at the dentist. By identifying these triggers, Dr. Enaya and the team at The Grove Family Dental can come up with ways to mitigate their effects. A few common triggers of dental anxiety include:

• Feelings of loss of control in the dentist’s chair
  
  
• Embarrassment or self-consciousness about your mouth
  
  
• Loss of personal space
  
  
• Fear of pain
  
  
• The vibration and sounds associated with dental drills
  
  
• The smell of dental offices
  
  
• Fear of numbing needles, or that a numbing injection will not work and you will still feel pain during your appointment
  

Depending on the source of your anxiety and the triggers that make you feel more nervous, we can take steps to make you feel more comfortable. 

For example, if you don’t like the sound of a dental drill, you can wear headphones and listen to music during your appointment. Or, if your anxiety is triggered by loss of control, Dr. Enaya and our dental team can regularly check in on you throughout your appointment, and ask for your permission to proceed to the next step of the procedure. 

Sedation Dentistry For Dental Anxiety

Along with the above steps, we also offer dental sedation at The Grove Family Dental. With sedation, you can feel more relaxed and comfortable during your appointment, and reduce feelings of fear, nervousness, and anxiety. With minimal sedation using nitrous oxide or oral sedation using medicines like Valium, you can dramatically reduce your anxiety and discomfort, and feel safe throughout your treatment at The Grove Family Dental. 

Contact Us Now For A Consultation – Patients With Anxiety Are Always Welcome!

At The Grove Family Dental, we want to provide you with the best experience you’ve ever had at the dentist. If you’ve had problems getting the dental care you need due to dental anxiety, we’re here to help. Contact us online or give us a call at (916) 333-0609 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Enaya, and see how we do things differently at our office.