How to Tackle your Dental Anxiety
The thought of visiting a dentist can fill anyone with dread. Not just the kids, even grown-up adults can face immense anxiety. It is, therefore, not very surprising that dental anxiety is a more common problem than one may think. Dental anxiety is evident when someone feels nervous, seems stressed, or faces trouble sleeping prior to a dental appointment. Further, this form of anxiety can be caused by several different factors and causes, such as a past bad experience or other people’s fear of dentists and their dreadful stories. It can also get triggered by the use of certain dental materials during treatment, such as an anesthetic needle or drill. Similarly, in some people, just the smell of a dentist’s office is enough to cause dental anxiety.
These factors generally hinder people from making appointments with dentists. However, if you vent out your anxiety to your dentist, you might feel a lot better.
Let’s talk about the ways to deal with dental anxiety.
Talk to Your Dentist
Letting your dentist know what you feel about the treatment is an effective way to curb dental anxiety. If your dentist senses fear or anxiety, which is pretty normal, he/she will reassure you and will make you at ease with the entire procedure.
Be Aware of the Process
Fear is generally caused by ignorance. When you have knowledge of the entire procedure, chances are that you won’t fear it. You must ask the dentist about the things that bother you. Communication, hence, is the key. The more you do it, the less stressful will be your treatment.
Let Someone Accompany You
Make yourself at ease by having a friend or acquaintance with you during your dental appointment. Because having someone besides us during crucial times gives us psychological assurance that things will be fine.
Turn the Music On
Okay, so we know music helps in reducing anxiety. Listen to your favorite music inside the dental clinic. It will shift your focus from the dreaded treatment to something soothing and relaxing. It will also block out sounds which occur during the treatment.
Take Sedations
Sedations can significantly curb your anxiety because you’ll feel less conscious about things. Talk to your dentist if sedatives, such as local anesthetics, laughing gas, intravenous sedation, or oral sedatives can be taken.
Gestures Will Help
If you get too uncomfortable or anxious during any moment of the treatment, you should use hand gestures to signal “stop”. Dentists understand these things well.
Watch TV or Read a Book
Television can help you distract from the procedure. Similarly, an engrossing book will transport you to a different world. In both cases, your stress would be significantly reduced.
Caffeine is a big No
You must avoid caffeine before your appointment as caffeine induces anxiety.
Take Breathers
Breathing exercises are great stress busters. Therefore, taking deep breaths would relax you and shall make the process more pleasant.
Make No Haste
You should not be in a hurry during your dental checkup. So, make an appointment at a time when you are not stressed or preoccupied with anything else. Early morning appointments are recommended in such a case.
Medicate yourself
Finally, taking medication before an appointment is a great way to reduce anxiety or stress. Talk to your doctor and see if it is a viable option.
For more information regarding your dental health, please give Dr. Apsey of Smile Brightly Dental a call today! We are located in Warren, MI and we can be reached at 586-573-7700!