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Nervous about seeing a dentist? We can help you.

Nervous patient at the dentist
28 February 2023

Nervous Patients

If you feel nervous about seeing a dentist and have been putting off having dental treatment, we can help. At Aesthetique Dental Care in Leeds, we have treated many anxious patients over the years, and we are committed to helping nervous patients get the dental care they need.

We understand your feelings, and it’s very common to feel anxious about seeing the dentist. According to the Dental Phobia website, 53% of the UK population suffers from fear or anxiety when visiting the dentist. Fear can take many forms, including being slightly nervous to panic attacks. Most people can overcome their nervousness and attend their dental appointments for a check-up. For some people, the fear can turn into a phobia. People can experience a feeling of terror, shaking and dizziness. These feelings can result in patients avoiding getting the dental treatment they so desperately need.

Why do I have a fear of the dentist?

There is no definitive answer to this question. Sometimes, it results from a bad childhood experience when visiting the dentist. For some people, it is about the sounds, the smells. the unexpected, and not being in control. For others, it can be a fear of needles or the fear of being judged about the condition of their teeth.

We understand these issues, and we have plenty of experience in allaying these fears. You will never be judged, if you haven’t seen the dentist in a long time, we want to help you get dentally fit again. A dental phobia can be a real issue, especially if the patient is in pain or unable to eat but still can’t face the dentist’s chair.

Woman holding a smile on a piece of paperHow can you help me overcome my fear of the dentist?

We understand these fears, and our team of trained professionals at our dentist in Leeds have got your best interests at heart and will always put you at ease so you can get the best treatment possible.

Please call us and explain to our friendly reception team that you are nervous about your visit. If you can pinpoint what you need, we will do our best to accommodate this. You are very welcome to come and see the dental practice before your visit to have a look around. We would also recommend a morning appointment, as then you don’t have to think about it all day.

You can also wear headphones when having dental treatment so you don’t hear any sounds. You can also raise your hand at any time and your dentist can stop and check that you are ok and whether you can continue.

Please don’t ever feel embarrassed about your teeth, we have seen it all. We understand that everyone is different, and we are happy to help make you as comfortable as possible when visiting us.

We can also provide stress balls for you to squeeze and a selection of music on Spotify if this helps. Alternatively, one of our friendly nurses will be more than happy to hold your hand throughout the treatment if that makes you feel calmer.

To hear some of our patient stories, please click here.

Dental nurse holding a syringe Dental Sedation

If you have any dental anxiety, please do not suffer in silence.  At our dentist in Leeds, we can offer dental sedation. It’s a safe and highly effective way of making you feel completely relaxed during your dental treatment.

You will remain conscious, but your worries and anxiety will be eliminated. You will be able to answer questions, but it is also highly likely that you will remember nothing of the procedure once it is finished.

What are the benefits of sedation?

  • Rapid onset of calming effects.
  • You will feel completely relaxed and anxiety-free.
  • The level of sedation can be tailored to suit your needs.
  • Can help you forget the treatment procedure.
  • Still allows you to communicate with the dentist.

What are the sedation steps?

  • Your general health will be assessed, including your oxygen levels, and your blood pressure.
  • A very thin needle will be inserted into the back of your hand. This will have a soft plastic tube attached to it and this is how the sedative will be gradually delivered.
  • You will be closely monitored throughout the treatment process.
  • Additional pain relief medication will be required to reduce any discomfort, as sedation calms you but doesn’t offer pain relief.
  • Pain relief will be administered once you are suitably relaxed.
  • The effects of sedation will take a while to wear off and you will need someone to take you home and keep an eye on you.

Please don’t suffer from dental pain, we are here to help you. Take that first step in alleviating your dental fear and call us on 0113 245 8066. Our staff will listen to your fears and do our best to help.

From the team at Aesthetique Dental Care

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Aesthetique Dental Care 21 Wharf Street, The Calls Leeds West Yorkshire LS2 7EQ


We’re in the heart of Leeds - accessed by bus and train and have convenient on street parking.

Monday:
08:30 - 19:00
Tue - Fri:
08:30 - 17:00
Saturday:
By Appointment Only
Sunday:
Closed
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