For most people, a visit to the dental office triggers some anxiety. But, dental anxiety is severe for some patients. If you fall into this category, you probably dread your next dental check-up. But this doesn't have to be the case. The first crucial step in easing dental fear is finding a dentist who will listen and understand your struggles. Besides that, here are more strategies to help you calm down during your upcoming dental appointment.
Speaking To Your Dentist About Your Fears
One way to establish a good relationship with your dentist is to maintain open communication. Having a rapport with your dentist can go a long way in helping you ease your dental phobia. So before visiting the dental office, let your tooth doctor know about your fears. This information helps them create an action plan that best suits your needs. Besides that, they will train you in some signals you can use to guide them whenever you're feeling uncomfortable or want to take a break during a procedure.
Using a Distraction Can Help Put Your Mind at Ease
Another effective strategy to ease anxiety is using a distraction. For many patients, anxiety kicks in when a dentist lays intimidating tools, particularly the drill, on the table. Remember that your tooth doctor will start by numbing your mouth before the dental procedure. That means you won't feel pain until it is over. However, if you feel anxious whenever the drill turns on, put on your headphones and listen to your favorite music. This distraction should put your mind at ease.
Ask a Friend or Relative to Accompany You to the Appointment
Whenever you're anxious during your dental appointment, the company of your close family member or friend can calm you down. While speaking to them as the dentist conducts the operation might be impossible, a companion's presence gives you the confidence to face the situation. You can hold their hand if possible.
Minimize Discomfort As Much As Possible
You can take different measures to ease discomfort linked to anxiety. For instance, if you're scared of dental injections, ask your tooth doctor to apply topical sedation before you receive a shot. If you're afraid of being choked, you will have concerns about x-rays and other imaging procedures. In this scenario, ask your dentist whether other diagnostic techniques are applicable in your situation.
Dental anxiety can make your dental appointment uncomfortable and unfruitful. However, the above tips will go a long way in helping you overcome your fears. But remember to ask your dentist for additional guidelines to improve your dental experiences.
Share30 March 2022
Do you have "bad teeth"? I do. Ever since I was a kid, every checkup turns up a number of issues ranging from cavities to dental fractures. It has always been frustrating to keep my smile in decent shape, which is one of the reasons I started focusing on understanding different dental problems. I wanted to know what I was getting into when I visited the doctor, so I began focusing on learning as much as I could. I wanted to create this blog all about dentistry so that other people could find out what to expect when they head to the dentist. Check it out!
