Dental Anxiety
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WHY CHOOSE
Big Smiles?
SKILLED & COMPASSIONATE
DEVOTED TO THE NEEDS OF EACH PATIENT
Graduated at the Top of his Class from University of the Pacific School of Dental Medicine, San Francisco
20+ Years Clinical Experience
Excels in Implant, Restorative, Cosmetic & General Dentistry
- 100s of Root Canals Completed
- 1000s of Implants Placed
MASTERSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP, International College of Oral Implantologists (ICOI)
FELLOWSHIP, International Dental Implant Association (IDIA)
- Awarded for Distinguished IMPLANT EXCELLENCE
FELLOWSHIP, Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD)
- Awarded to Only 6% of Dentists Nationwide
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Testimonials
My daughter is currently having braces treatment at BigSmiles Dental Care and I am very impressed with this dental practice so far. They got us in for our initial consultation on a day that worked for us, and were able to start her braces right away. Dr. Larry Lu sat down with us and explained my daughter's dental issues in simple English that we both could understand. He was quite detailed and some of what he told us we were unaware of up to that point. My daughter felt he was friendly and wanted to go ahead with the treatment with him. Luckily, his price was fair. We were quoted about 2 thousand dollars less than what other local orthodontists quoted us. Nancy (the always smiling front-desk girl) was extremely thorough in going over the treatment schedule and finances. We were fortunate that we have insurance plan to cover about 50% of the cost. Nancy was also good in taking care of the insurance submission for us. I am very confident that Dr. Lu and his staff will make braces as pleasant as possible for my daughter.
William G.★★★★★
Dr. Lu is an amazing dentist - I am lucky to have him! The staff at BigSmiles are always caring, kind and helpful, especially Charlene at the front desk who makes sure I get in right away whenever I am in pain. I have been going to BigSmiles Dental for 10+ years and couldn't recommend better people.
Keandra Elvarezza★★★★★
Another great appointment with the amazing staff at Big Smiles. Friendly, knowledgable and all-around awesome people. I think I'll go back again next week.
David Ashton★★★★★
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Dental Anxiety
If you suffer from dental anxiety, you are not alone! Forty million Americans are so afraid of the dentist that they avoid going altogether, according to Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.
Why is there such a high fear factor when it comes to the dentist? There are numerous reasons why people experience dental anxiety. Pain is the primary shared fear, followed by the worry that the dentist may hurry them out of the dental chair and miss an important issue. Additionally, many people have bad memories of going to the dentist as children, and for others, just the smell of the dental office can trigger their anxiety.
One thing however is certain; if these feelings of anxiety are not addressed, it will lead to avoidance of the dentist which in turn can lead to serious oral health problems often resulting in a need for more involved and expensive dental treatment down the line.
Talk About It
One way to lower anxiety levels is for you to talk with your dentist about your fears. Often a dentist can bring you comfort just by answering your questions and educating you about your dental needs. It is important to remember that dentists are trained to treat patients who are frightened. Often they have methods of intervention such as medication or sedation. To Learn More about sedation dentistry options click here.
Keep Calm and
See Your Dentist
If you are nervous about visiting the dentist, try these tips:
- SPEAK ABOUT YOUR FEARS. Tell your dentist and his staff about your anxiety. Sharing your concerns helps your dentist determine the best way to help you get through treatment.
- REGULATE YOUR BREATHING. People tend to hold their breath when nervous, which leads to lower oxygen levels. Less oxygen can make the body feel pain more acutely. Try breathing in a slow, measured manner to reduce your stress.
- LISTEN TO MUSIC. Bring along your earphones and favorite music to drown out the sound of the drill.
- BE MINDFUL OF YOUR FOOD CHOICES. Definitely don’t go for that double espresso before hitting the dental chair. Caffeine can make you jittery. Instead, make sure to avoid sugary treats and eat high-protein foods instead. The right foods can make you feel calmer.
- PRE-ARRANGE SIGNALS WITH YOUR DENTIST. Decide on some hand signals with your dental team before starting the procedure. This will let you communicate any feelings of discomfort and give you a greater feeling of control.
- CHOOSE A NON-PRESSURED TIME FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT. Pick a time for your dental visit when you aren’t expected to be elsewhere or have other obligations. Early morning or late evening appointments or weekends may work better for you.
- FEEL CONFIDENT IN YOUR DENTIST. Getting a good recommendation from friends and family for your dentist can allay your worries. Knowing you are being cared for by a competent doctor will make you feel more relaxed.
Contact us to schedule an appointment to discuss your dental anxiety and how we can help.