Fear or phobia of the dentist and dental work is one of the most common fears among adults today. New York holistic dentist Dr. Lewis Gross takes a total wellbeing approach to all of the dental services he provides for his patients, and his approach to overcoming dental fear and anxiety is no different. Read on to find out more.

Dental Fear and Anxiety

If you ask a group of patients with dental phobia why they fear the dentist or dental work, you’ll probably receive a variety of answers.

Some of the most common dental fears include:

• Fear of embarrassment about the current condition of the teeth
• Fear of gagging
• Fear of injections
• Fear of loss of control
• Fear of not being numb during dental work
• Fear of pain
• Fear of the dentist as a person
• Fear of the “dental drill”

For most dentists, their main concern is the health of your teeth and gums, but most dentists also have their patients’ best interests at heart, and that includes addressing any fear or anxiety that is brought on by the thought of scheduling dental work or a routine dental appointment.

To ensure your comfort, confidence, and relaxation in the dental chair, Dr. Lewis Gross offers several patient comfort measures, as well as suggestions for how to make your experience in the dental chair a positive one.

Overcoming Dental Fear and Anxiety

The first step to overcoming dental fear and anxiety is knowing that you’re not alone. An estimated 35 million people do not see the dentist regularly because they’re too afraid. If you avoid the dentist, however, you’re not receiving the dental care you need and deserve, and you’re laying the foundation of some very serious oral and overall health problems, including gum disease, tooth loss, jawbone degeneration, oral cancer, and an increased risk of certain cancers, stroke, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, and more.

To help you relax in the dental chair and receive the dental care you need and deserve, Dr. Lewis Gross suggests the following:

• Talk openly with Dr. Gross: As a dentist, Dr. Gross understands how real and debilitating dental fear is. Sometimes just scheduling and showing up for an appointment is a victory in and of itself. Open up to Dr. Lewis Gross so that he can take the necessary measures to meet all of your needs.
• Bring a portable music player: Music acts as a relaxant and can drown out any fear-inducing noises.
• Agree on a signal: To help Dr. Lewis Gross monitor your comfort level during your dental procedure, agree on a hand signal that you’ll show when the pain becomes too great. This will alert Dr. Lewis Gross to alter his treatment method or increase your level of sedation.
• Be informed: If you’d like, Dr. Gross can tell you what he’s doing during each step of the procedure so that you’re informed about what’s going on inside of your mouth. If you’d like, bring a mirror to watch what Dr. Lewis Gross does during your treatment.

Dr. Gross also offers sedation and laser dentistry to ensure the comfort of his patients throughout their dental procedures. Depending on your comfort and dental needs, Dr. Gross will suggest possible laser and sedation treatments that you might benefit from.

To reserve an appointment with Dr. Lewis Gross, call Holistic Dentists, located in Tribeca, New York, at (212) 732-2200.