How to Overcome Your Fear of the Dentist

How to Overcome Your Fear of the Dentist & Avoid Dental Trauma

If you’ve put off a cleaning for multiple years now, you aren’t alone.  Many people struggle with traumatic memories of the dentist.  This is often the result of having someone work “on” you rather than “with” you; yesterday’s dentistry methods didn’t always prioritize patient comfort and understanding. Having a bad experience can stay with someone a long time and may even hinder their diligence in maintaining regular appointments and procedures later in life.  It’s really not that unusual to hear someone say they haven’t even had a basic cleaning in several years because they are afraid they cannot overcome a fear of the dentist.

But it is possible.  Sedation dentistry is gaining in popularity for this very reason.  But the process of what it takes to overcome a fear of the dentist is not just about how knocked out you can be during a procedure!  So much of it has to do with choice: which dental practice you choose can not only help you overcome fear from previous experiences, but it can also help you avoid new dental trauma, especially in the very young.  By choosing a dentist who treats you as a person, as a friend, who works with you towards a common goal, you can overcome your bad memories to smile with confidence.

Below are some tips on what to look for in dentist and a dental office to avoid dental trauma:

• Try to find an established practice with a loyal staff.  It’s okay to ask how long they’ve worked there!  Check their background and their reputation; see what kind of patients they have and how they relate to them.
• A dentist who stands by their work and never compromises with the quality of services he/she provides.  A good dentist has ethical and professional standards he/she lives by and does not allow circumstances or inertia to impact on the services they offer.
• A staff that frequently reinvests in continuing education and personal development.  A dental office whose staff continually improves their education is something to look for if you want to make sure you do everything possible to avoid trauma.
• Caring, attentive staff, providing for the “creature comforts” such as shades/blankets/and, why not, music.  Some patients find it very soothing to listen to something other than the general dentistry noises that might be going on during even mild procedures.
• You want someone who certainly takes your insurance but also doesn’t allow insurance to be decision maker for dental treatment.  In deciding what is best for a particular patient, a good dentist always considers providing customized services, and does that after learning the patient’s medical history, dental problems, as well as financial situation.
• A dental office that promotes the idea of most advanced technology, making treatment comfortable and convenient, by adjusting to your schedule and finances.
• A practice that treats patients like family members and puts their comfort above everything.

Torrey Hills Dental patients benefit from the highest technology, state-of-the-art materials and procedures, and the skill and experience of the doctor and staff.  Torrey Hills Dental has a solution to all their patients’ needs concerning dental care.  The practice focuses on ensuring their patients’ comfort and convenience by committing to the highest quality. They believe their patients deserve the best which is why continually finding ways to avoid dental trauma is a top priority.  Torrey Hills Dental literally changes what people expect their dental experience to be as they don’t just take care of your teeth.  Patients can count on caring, friendly staff to get to know them and recognize their individual needs. James P. Tasto DDS serves the area of Torrey Hills and Carmel Valley.  For more information, please go to www.torreyhillsdental.com
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Born and raised in San Diego, Dr. James Tasto attended University of San Diego where he lettered in both golf and wrestling. After earning a Bachelors in Science from Loyola Marymount University, Dr. Tasto graduated from University of Southern California Dental School with an emphasis on cosmetics and sports dentistry.  Dr. James Tasto was selected by his peers to be included in the List of Top Dentists in San Diego for 2007 – 2011.  He appeared in the May issue of San Diego Magazine.  Dr. Tasto is also a member of D.O.C.S. (Doctors Offering Charitable Services), a local organization that offers medical services such as plastic surgery, vision and dental to the less fortunate patients in San Diego.  Dr. Tasto currently resides in San Diego with his lovely wife Traci and their 3 children. He enjoys golf, beach volleyball and playing with his kids.