We Have Suggestions
It’s normal to have some level of anxiety about going to the dentist, especially if you’re expecting bad news. For many others, however, this anxiety rises to the level of fear/phobia. These patients may experience advanced signs of stress such as shaking, confusion, heart palpitations, or changes in blood pressure. Unfortunately, this fear causes many to avoid the dentist altogether.
If you or someone you care about needs help in coping with dental fear, we’ve got some suggestions. Know that we’re here to help, and we can treat fear as successfully as we treat teeth!
Tips for Coping with Dental Fear
- Bring a friend or relative. You’ll feel more relaxed and assured knowing you have some support.
- Make an appointment early in the day. Being well-rested helps reduce stress, and you’ll have less time beforehand to worry.
- Be positive and practice positive self-talk. Think about obstacles or adversities you’ve overcome in the past and tell yourself, “I can do this. This is nothing!” Also, concentrate on the benefits of addressing dental problems and improving oral health.
- Avoid mentioning your appointment unnecessarily. Others can be quick to share a bad experience, not knowing they are causing you extra stress or anxiety.
- Share your anxieties with our team. We have additional strategies for coping with dental fear, and we’re always happy to take it slow, explain the process, and make sure you are 100% comfortable during treatment!
Dr. Angela Burns moved to Austin 10 years ago and instantly fell in love with our beautiful city. Dr. Burns is originally from the Texarkana area. She attended Texas A&M for her undergraduate degree and The University of Tennessee Health Science Center for her degree in dental surgery (DDS). Dr. Burns is committed to providing her patients with gentle, technologically advanced dental treatment. She attends an average of 60 hours of continuing education every year. She is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Texas Dental Association, and the Capital Area Dental Society. Dr. Burns and her husband, Gary, have an 11-year-old daughter, Sydney, who is a proud 6th grader at Hill Country Middle School. She is also very involved in the Eanes PTO, her church, and loves raising her family in the Westlake community. “Growing up, I was drawn to mediating and helping others feel more included and less anxious. I was a camp counselor, student government officer and being the oldest of five, I was the family mediator. I found that I had a calling to help alleviate stressful situations for others and realized that being a good listener was something that was key to this. These skills really helped guide me into becoming a dentist that has based my practice on relationships, empathy and a sense of comfort. I knew that I wanted to provide an atmosphere that felt like home when others walked in. Our practice is small, personal and state of the art and we hope you feel like you’re hanging out with friends when you are here!” When she is not practicing dentistry, Dr. Burns enjoys traveling, hiking the greenbelt, enjoying Austin’s music scene, and eating Amy’s Ice Cream.
