Millions of Americans deal with dental anxiety, which can stop them from receiving the vital dental care they need. If you find yourself battling the same issue, there are ways to effectively bypass your hesitation. Likely, you’re aware of the option of receiving sedation dentistry, but there are yet other ways to feel more relaxed. As you continue reading, a dentist in Marion lists 9 helpful tips!
#1 – Find the Right Dentist
The first step to feeling more relaxed during your visit is to choose a dentist who has a calming demeanor. The more you feel like you can trust him or her, the better off you’ll be.
#2 – Don’t Hold Back
Dental professionals are accustomed to treating patients who deal with dental anxiety. Therefore, you shouldn’t feel ashamed about sharing how you feel. The dentist and staff will be eager to help calm your nerves.
#3 – Crank Up the Music
Listening to your favorite tunes can be quite relaxing. Before treatment gets underway, ask the dentist if it’s okay to listen to wireless headphones while you’re receiving care.
#4 – Use Your Hands
The dentist wants you to be comfortable throughout the treatment process. So don’t hesitate to raise your hand if you’re feeling some pain. At that time, the necessary adjustments can be made to ease any discomfort.
#5 – Monitor Your Breathing
You’ve probably noticed that when you get excited and experience fear and other more acute emotions, your heart rate and breathing increase. To mitigate this, take slow and deliberate breaths. This will help you feel more grounded and relaxed.
#6 – Numb the Area
If you tend to be a little more sensitive when receiving dental care, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Let the dentist and staff know so numbing medication can be applied to the treatment area.
#7 – Ask for More Details
Dentists don’t mind explaining what’s involved in an upcoming procedure. By inquiring about what you should expect, you can feel more relaxed, comfortable and empowered.
#8 – Choose Your Appointment Time Carefully
Life can be pretty hectic as is. The last thing you want to deal with is a new stressor. Before scheduling your visit, think about ways to avoid heavy traffic and creative ways to manage your other responsibilities. Therefore, you can better unwind and receive the care you need when you arrive.
#9 – Reward Yourself
Provide yourself with an incentive for overcoming your dental anxiety and pushing forward with receiving care. You can accomplish this by doing something fun after your visit concludes. The positive experience can then serve as a happy memory that you can reflect on down the road.
Maintaining regular dental visits is one of the keys to excellent oral health. Now that you have 9 effective strategies to overcome your dental anxiety, you can now look forward to your future appointments!
About the Author
Dr. James Leon earned his dental degree from West Virginia University. He has since gone on to provide over 30 years of high quality and compassionate care. Along the way, Dr. Leon has received advanced postgraduate training from the Frank Spear Institute, the Pete Dawson Academy and the Ross Nash Teaching Academy. He treats patients in a relaxed environment at Cross Creek Dental Care, and he can be reached for more information or to schedule a visit through his website.