4 Ways to Deal With Dental Anxiety

If you think you are the only one who gets nervous about going to the dentist, guess again. Dental anxiety is a real issue for many people around the world.

Perhaps your anxiety is due to a traumatic experience or thoughts of your dentist finding a new problem with your oral health. Regardless of the situation involved, there are plenty of ways to stop fearing the dentist.

Managing your dental anxiety

Your dentist wants what is best for you, but it can be tough to trust them completely. From oral health to emotional health, a good dentist will ensure that you are comfortable before they start working on your smile. The more you delay and skip on visiting the dentist, the more you risk developing severe issues like gum disease and tooth decay. The following are four ways to tackle dental anxiety and gain a level head with your local dentist.

1. Speak up

The first tip is to speak up about the situation. Your dentist may not even be aware of your stress and worry. Although it may make you tense or anxious, getting your concerns off your chest will help your dental team help work around the situation. Once you bring it up, your dentist can find ways to reduce your anxiety.

2. Distract yourself

Taking your mind off the drill and distracting yourself can help anxiety immensely. Try working on a signal with your dentist to let them know that you are anxious during treatment. Your dentist will then know to distract you with conversation or something else. Communicating and keeping yourself occupied can help distract your thoughts. Wearing headphones can help mask outside sounds and make that dental drill much less invasive.

3. Mental techniques

Using mental techniques, such as breathing exercises and concentrating on one object at a time, can help relax tension. The tenser you are, the more painful the drill will seem. Inhaling slowly and exhaling for some counts can help your body relax and detach from reality. If it seems to help, close your eyes and try to stop thinking about everything. Although, this may be easier said than done.

4. Bring a friend

Taking someone along for the ride is one of the most comforting ways to reduce anxiety. Not only will someone be by your side, but they can also work with you on the above tips. Your dentist may be too busy to keep up a conversation during treatment, but a friend can talk for as long as you would like. Having someone to speak with during the procedure is a natural distractor. Tell a friend that you will buy them lunch if they sit with you at your next appointment.

Finding the right dentist

All dentists have a different approach to dealing with anxiety. You likely have had some horrible dental experiences and may be wondering how to find the best dentist for you. Call our office to see how we place your comfort first and will work with you to manage dental anxiety.

Request an appointment here: https://www.gablesexceptionaldentistry.com or call Gables Exceptional Dentistry at (305) 203-4132 for an appointment in our Coral Gables office.