No matter how old you are, you deserve a straight, even smile. That’s not just because you deserve to look your best. Crooked teeth are unhealthy and can lead to problems like TMJ disorder, worn enamel, and more.

But for some people, all of that is preferable than going to see a dentist. That’s how strong dental anxiety can be. Orthodontic anxiety is pretty much the same thing. No matter what you call it, this can stop you from getting the straight, healthy teeth you need.

Call Orthodontic Alliances today at 219-809-6584 and make a new appointment for orthodontic treatment. You can choose from traditional braces, Invisalign, and more. Plus, you can get the help you need to get past that dental anxiety.

Why You Might Have Orthodontic Anxiety

There are a few reasons why you might be suffering some concern and worry over heading to the dentist’s office.

  • If you had a bad experience as a child, that memory can affect your mood today. Even if you never had a real problem there, just the memories of a weird place full of strangers can induce anxiety.
  • You might have never had a problem, but if you heard stories or listened to a friend talk about a bad trip, that can stick with you for a long time.
  • It’s easy to get anxious over what you don’t know. And if it’s been years since your last dental visit, you could be worried about what problems your crooked teeth are hiding.

Three Tips For Beating Dental Anxiety

When faced with a problem, it helps to have a plan. At Orthodontic Alliances, our Indiana dentists have seen many people with some level of orthodontic anxiety. From that experience comes a three-step process for getting past your worries.

1. Determine What Gives You Anxiety

It’s hard to know what to do when you’re unsure why you feel a certain way. That means you have to start by identifying what exactly is giving your anxiety. Are you worried about how you will look with traditional metal braces on your teeth? Do you think too much about how your orthodontic treatment will feel? Are you concerned that this might hurt?

Those are all common reasons for orthodontic anxiety, but there are others. Take the time to examine what is making you feel uneasy so you can name it.

2. Speak To Any Of Our Indiana Dentists About Your Concerns

Once you have identified what’s giving you a problem, the next step is to talk about it. You can speak with a good friend or close family member and just explain what’s bothering you. It’s amazing how much better you can feel just getting something off your chest like that.

But perhaps the best person to speak with is one of our Indiana dentists. Dr. Schmidt and Dr. Schmidt have been helping people with orthodontic treatments for many years. Not only does that mean they’re very skilled at orthodontics, but they understand why people have dental anxiety over it. Then they can offer some help.

For example, if you are worried about how braces will look on your teeth or whether they will be painful, you can speak with our Indiana dentists about getting Invisalign clear aligners instead. This treatment is practically invisible on your smile and is much more comfortable in your mouth.

3. Make A New Appointment At Our Closest Indiana Dental Office

Now that you know what’s bothering you and have discussed how to move past it, the last thing you need to do is call Orthodontic Alliances today to make a new appointment. The longer you wait, the more that dental anxiety can creep back into your life and make it harder to get the orthodontic treatment you deserve.

Call us TODAY at 219-809-6584 and schedule your orthodontic appointment. You can also request an appointment online. You deserve to get orthodontic treatment that gives you a straight and healthy smile. Don’t let dental anxiety keep you from getting that.