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Many patients get nervous about seeing their dentist. There are jokes and cartoons and memes that depict people sweating in the dentist chair. But that is not the way it has to be. Dental technology has advanced leaps and bounds – couple this with a gentle approach to dentistry, and your visit can be comfortable, and even relaxing.

Dr. Pare believes in a proactive and collaborative approach to dentistry and is sensitive to patients’ concerns and needs. That’s why she wants to help you plan for a relaxing visit. Your first visit is a comprehensive discovery. This is your time to learn and ask questions and spend time with the dentist, Dr. Pare. Then we create the care plan and you decide what works best for you.

Next time you need a dental appointment, try these tips to create a calm and peaceful environment in partnership with us at Seaside Dentistry, a Jupiter family dental practice, to accomplish your dental care goals.

1. Talk to your dentist
Communication goes a long way in dentistry. Talk to your dentist and cosmetic dentist about your feelings, especially if you feel dental anxiety. If you have any questions about what you will experience in the office, take the time to jot down any questions so you can prepare yourself ahead of time for each appointment and what you will experience.

At Seaside Dentistry, a dentist in Jupiter, Florida, we take a collaborative approach, making our patients part of the plan. We communicate each step of the appointment or procedure, and spend as much time as needed at your first visit to discover how we can work together. We’re here to help and want to make you comfortable.

2. Ask for comfort items
Dental offices often have comfort items available for you like music, headphones, protective eyewear, pillows, blankets, and bottled water. At Seaside Dentistry, we play chill music throughout the hallways and in our treatment rooms to set the mood, or have noise cancelling headphones available. You can even choose your music or entertainment using your own device and bluetooth. Consider meditative music, podcasts or your favorite audiobook. Dr. Pare also has weighted blankets available for your use, known for their calming effects. Bottled water and protective eyewear is available, too. Many choose to use the “sunglasses” to block out lighting and relax them even more.

3. Use signals
Help establish trust between you and your dentist, by developing hand signals or some other sign you can use to indicate you need a break, or are feeling discomfort. While most patients typically do not need the hand signals, they can help establish trust between you and your dentist, and provide peace of mind that they are listening to your needs so that you can enjoy a relaxing dentist visit.
For the best in Jupiter dental care, Dr. Pare listens first to establish trust between patient and dentist. She lets patients know that they will be completely numb for many procedures and if they are uncomfortable, feel discomfort or need a break – to simply raise their hand and she will stop work immediately.

4. Focus on breathing
Deep breathing can be helpful for patients that experience dental anxiety to regulate your body if you start to feel nervous or tense. Breathing exercises can sometimes contribute to a lower level of discomfort, and can relieve distress, it may even help you become more calm and comfortable. Dr. Pare recommends that you focus on slow and deep breaths while numbing patients and she liberally applies topical numbing gel for an adequate amount of time to make any numbing injections as comfortable as possible. Deep breathing exercises can be done throughout the entire procedure or appointment. Some examples include the following: Deep breaths. Slow breaths. Focusing on actual inhaling and exhaling.

5. Ask us about sedation dentistry
Most dental offices offer a form of sedation. Sedation dentistry involves the use of things like nitrous oxide gas (laughing gas), medication to help you relax. It is often a good idea for those with moderate to severe forms of dental anxiety to ask about sedation if they feel it will help them feel more comfortable during their dental visit. Following nitrous oxide, the dentist will give you pure oxygen for five minutes following the procedure to remove the nitrous completely out of your system.

Here at our dental practice, we have a lot of ways to help our patients feel more relaxed with their treatment by creating a friendly environment. The more comfortable you are, the better we can help you maintain your dental health, and your optimal health is our number one priority. At Seaside Dentistry in Jupiter, our friendly dental professionals are more than happy to answer your questions and address your dental anxiety concerns. If you’re due for a checkup or dental service, reach out to us today to discuss how we can help your visit to Seaside Dentistry be a pleasant one.

Find out more about our Jupiter dental group, Seaside Dentistry.

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