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How To Overcome Dental Anxiety

The Oral Health Foundation reports that although more people visit the dentist regularly now than in previous decades, almost half of all adult patients in the UK are scared of doing so (http://www.nationalsmilemonth.org/facts-figures/). There are many and varied reasons that lay behind dental anxiety, but thankfully there are also several ways in which you can alleviate your fears sufficiently and enable you to visit a dentist without panicking.

Your choice of dentist can greatly affect how positive or negative your next visit will be. If you currently suffer from dental anxiety, search for a dental practice that offers specialist support for nervous patients. Look for practices that offer a range of options to soothe anxieties and that aim to deliver a more relaxing and positive experience at your appointment.

Care and empowerment

A good dentist will be highly trained not only in providing state-of-the-art dental treatments but also in listening carefully to their patients.

They will talk you through each stage of your visit and work closely with you to ensure that you feel as empowered as possible. For example, patients sometimes feel panic at the thought that in the middle of treatment (with dental tools in their mouths), they won’t be able to ask their dentist to stop a procedure if they feel any discomfort. If this were one of your concerns, your dentist could, for example, suggest that you make a simple hand gesture to stop a procedure so that you could ask any questions or simply take a breather. By having those discussions with you, your dentist can ensure that your anxieties are managed from the outset and minimise any stress or discomfort you may feel.

Dental sedation

If your dental anxiety or phobia is such that the idea of a visit to the dentist is causing you real concern, you should always mention this when arranging an appointment through the dental receptionist. Anxiety-aware practices will ensure that you can discuss your needs further with one of the dentists, possibly with a view towards being offered sedation at your appointment.

There are two main types of sedation:

– ‘Magic air’ (also known as gas and air) is often given to anxious children but is also effective for adult patients. When inhaled, it allows the patient to feel ‘floaty’ and relaxed; it is fast-acting and entirely safe.

– IV sedation is delivered through a painless injection (given only after the skin is numbed with an anaesthetic cream). The sedative leaves the patient conscious, but feeling as though they are asleep. It also acts as an amnesiac, meaning that patients rarely remember anything about the procedure afterwards. This type of anaesthesia can take a few hours to wear off after the procedure, so if it is recommended for you then you will need to bring someone with you who can take you home by car to rest afterwards as you will feel drowsy.

Sedation can be used for any procedures, under the safe care of experienced and proficient dentist professionals who will monitor you closely throughout your visit.

Hypno-sedation

If you would like to consider drug-free solutions to your dental anxieties, we are proud to be able to offer hypno-sedation at Evolve Dentistry. This is a type of hypnosis and is ideal for any patient whose anxieties would otherwise prevent them from seeking the dental treatment they need to keep their smile beautiful and healthy.

You may be sceptical of how well hypnosis can work, particularly if your anxieties are very powerful, but it really can work wonders for some patients. Delivered by dental professionals, hypnosis is entirely safe and you will remain in control of your actions and words throughout your procedure. It is ideal for regular visits, and over time you will lose the association you may have built up between visiting a dentist and feeling afraid. You will begin to associate your appointments with feelings of relaxation and trust.

You may find this difficult to believe if you have a dental phobia or are very worried about visiting a dentist, but many very anxious and frightened patients have become very relaxed and much more willing to attend regular appointments after hypno-sedation sessions. It is a cost-effective, efficacious and drug-free alternative to dental sedation. If you would like to know more about it or would like to try it at your next appointment, speak to us about how it can be incorporated into your next appointment.

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This morning, our Clinical Director, Carol Somerville Roberts, was featured on BBC Radio Bristol discussing something we are incredibly passionate about – the connection between oral health and your overall wellbeing. 🦷✨

Many people don’t realise that your oral health can have an impact on the rest of your body, with links between gum health and conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and dementia.

During the interview, Carol shared practical advice on maintaining good oral hygiene and why looking after your mouth is about so much more than just your smile.

We’re so proud to see Carol helping to raise awareness of the importance of preventive dental care across our local community. 💙

#Northsomerset #multiawardwinning #patientsatisfaction #patientsfirst #healthysmiles #healthysmile #acceptingnewpatients #nailsea #portishead #clevedon #portisheadmarina #dentist #oralhealth #gumhealth #preventivedentistry #bbcradiobristol
✨ Considering cosmetic dental treatment? We’d love to welcome you to Evolve Dentistry ✨

We are currently accepting new patients for cosmetic dental treatments including clear aligners, composite bonding, veneers, smile makeovers and tooth whitening.

And here’s something many people don’t realise… you can visit us for cosmetic treatment even if you already have your own regular dentist.

Whether you’re looking to make a small change or completely transform your smile, our team will take the time to understand your goals and talk you through your options in a relaxed, supportive environment 🤍

If you’ve been thinking about improving your smile, now could be the perfect time to start.

📩 Message the practice or call reception to book a consultation.

#Northsomerset #multiawardwinning #patientsatisfaction #patientsfirst #straighterteetheveryday #straighterteeth #newpatients #naturalteeth #healthysmiles #smilemakeovers #healthysmile #acceptingnewpatients #nailsea #portishead #clevedon #portisheadmarina #dentist #cosmeticdentistry #compositebonding #clearaligners #toothwhitening
It’s officially Smile Month! 🎉

This year is extra special, as Smile Month celebrates its 50th anniversary - five decades of encouraging healthy smiles and better oral health across the UK.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing simple tips, advice and reminders to help you care for your smile at home and understand how small habits can make a big difference.

This year’s message is simple:
🪥 Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
🦷 Clean between your teeth daily
🥤 Cut down on sugary food and drinks

Looking after your oral health is about more than teeth - it can have a huge impact on confidence, comfort and overall wellbeing too.

Here’s to healthy smiles for everyone 💙

#SmileMonth #SmileMonth2026 #HealthySmiles #OralHealth #DentalHealth #Portishead #NorthSomerset #PatientsFirst #Healthysmile #Dentist #PortisheadMarina #Clevedon #Nailsea
Still feeling incredibly proud

A few months on, and we’re still celebrating Carol Somerville Roberts in her role as President of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

It’s something we don’t take lightly - representing the profession at this level, while continuing to care for patients here at the practice, is no small thing.

What makes us most proud is that nothing changes for our patients. The same calm approach. The same honest advice. The same focus on doing what’s right for you.

Just with a little extra recognition behind it.

A big moment for Carol - and a proud one for all of us at Evolve.
🌟 Help us make history! 🌟

Nominations are now open for the very first Together Portishead Business & Community Awards, and we’d absolutely love your support! 🏆

We’re so proud to be part of this amazing community, and being recognised as a finalist would mean so much to our whole team. If you’ve visited our practice or supported us in any way, we’d be incredibly grateful if you could take a moment to nominate us.

Vote here: www.togetherportishead.co.uk

Thank you for all your continued support - it truly means the world to us 💙
 
#PortisheadAwards #TogetherPortishead #SupportLocal #VoteForUs #PortisheadBusiness #EvolveDentistry #portishead #portisheadmarina #nailsea #clevedon
Dear Portishead 💙

There are places you work, and then there are places you belong.

For all of us at Evolve Dentistry, Portishead is the latter.

We are incredibly grateful to the generations of families who have trusted us with their care, to every patient who has recommended us, and to the wider community that continues to support our practice.

We are proud to live here, work here and care here.

From sponsoring local events to welcoming patients through our doors each day, being part of this community means so much to us.

Thank you, Portishead, for allowing us to be part of your lives.
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