Ways to Reduce Dental Anxiety

Dental anxieties are such a common occurrence that many dentists tend to oversell their sedation dentistry options. However, Dr. Wernick feels that many cases of anxiety are treatable without medication. In addition to the steps our dentist takes to help you feel calm and comfortable, there are several tactics you can use to help you overcome your phobias.

Talk to Your Dental Practice

Dentists and their staff use various methods to help you feel at ease throughout your visit. But, these protocols are more effective when the office has time to plan them.

There is nothing wrong with being honest about your phobias with the dentist. When you go to make your appointment, make it clear to the staff that you have a fear of going to the dentist. The more notice the office has regarding your concerns, the better they will be at accommodating your needs during the visit.

Schedule for a Low-Stress Timeframe

A common mistake made by people with dental anxieties make is going through an appointment at a time that makes them uneasy. If you schedule your appointment during a stressful time of the day, you will likely bring that anxiousness with you into the dental office. Instead, schedule your appointment for a day and time that does not cause stress.

Limit Your Diet before the Appointment

Sugar and caffeine can make you hyper and set you on edge. Eating these before your appointment can make you overexcited and anxious when you arrive. When you are within twenty-four hours of your visit, try to avoid eating foods high in sugar or caffeine.

Listen to Calming Sounds

On the way to the dentist, as well as when you are in the lobby, you can listen to calming music you enjoy. This approach is one of the easiest ways to enter an appointment confidently. Additionally, many dentists have ways to help you listen to music during your dental appointment.

Contact Us for Comfortable Dental Care

Wernick Family Dentistry has helped families in and near Virginia Beach get the smiles they need for over 30 years. Dr. Wernick’s dedication to patient comfort allows him to provide the best care he can for each person he sees. For more information about our quality care options, call and schedule an appointment today. 

The Cosmetic-Restorative Relationship

Many assume that the cosmetic and restorative care options in dentistry are utterly unrelated to each other. This makes it difficult for patients to decide what treatment is best for them when the dental team at Wernick Family Dentistry presents with a choice, such as a metal or porcelain crown. The relationship between cosmetic and restorative care is much closer relationship than one might think.

How Are Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry Similar?

Part of the reason why this relationship is not commonly known is that cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry are defined in very different ways. Cosmetic care is characterized as improving the appearance of your smile, and restoration’s goal is described as rebuilding the structural and functional health of treated teeth.

Despite how they are explained and the difference in application, many cosmetic treatments are actually esthetically beneficial variants of established restorative care.

A key example of this relationship occurs whenever crowns are used to rebuild teeth affected by decay. Crowns can be made out of a few different materials. Two of the material options, porcelain and zirconia, match the appearance of natural teeth. In most cases, our dentist can provide porcelain crowns, allowing the smile to be healthy while also looking its best. There may be cases where extreme restorative requirements can only be addressed with a metal crown, which will not improve the smile’s image. However, most patients seeking crowns do not have to choose between practical and cosmetic benefits.    

Why Does this Relationship Matter?

The fact that restorative care can also be visually appealing may not seem like a particularly important facet of care. However, it is still important to consider because of the connection between self-image and outward appearance.

In general, there is a link between a person’s self-confidence and whether their appearance matches their personal ideal image. For many of the patients we serve, enhancing the beauty of their teeth is a fast and significant improvement to how much they enjoy their day-to-day life. Not everyone is concerned with the esthetics of their restorative care, but for others, getting a porcelain crown instead of a metal one can be the deciding factor of how positive their dental experience is.

Call Us for Comprehensive Dentistry

Wernick Family Dentistry provides cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, and more in Virginia Beach, VA, with service to all surrounding communities. Our comprehensive approach to dental care helps us build up the beauty and health of your smile in equal measure. For more information about the types of treatment we can provide, call us and schedule your next appointment today.