6 Ways To Overcome Dental Anxiety
Feeling stressed or nervous about an upcoming medical appointment is a normal experience for many. However, sometimes these feelings can be significant enough to qualify as anxiety.
One common medical anxiety is dental anxiety, a condition where you feel scared about going to the dentist.
A survey found that dental anxiety caused 38% of respondents to not go to the dentist out of fear. This is worrying, as experts recommend that you see a dentist every six months — and schedule emergency appointments if you suddenly feel dental pain.
Luckily, you can overcome this anxiety to prioritize your oral health. Here are several tips you can use before and during your next visit:
1. Research all you can.
Dental anxiety can make people overthink oral procedures. It may lead to poor decisions and jagged thoughts that completely disregard your own well-being. Research any questions that you may have about going to the dentist. You can also look up different blogs and forums online to read people’s experiences.
2. Feel what you’re feeling.
Emotions demand to be felt. Rather than forcibly pushing aside your feelings, give yourself 30 minutes to think about all your stresses. You can meditate about these or write it all down in a journal. Once you’ve let out all the negativity, acknowledge it and let it go. Dwelling on them even further simply fosters more fear.
3. Go with someone you trust.
Some patients feel anxious when they have to go through treatment alone. Ask a family member or friend to accompany you. They can hold your hand as you get on the dentist’s chair and go through the procedure. If the dental procedure requires your friend to stay in the waiting room, you can bring a stuffed animal to squeeze instead.
4. Talk with your entist.
Your dentist can help you pick a schedule you feel comfortable with, walk you through the process, and give you extra reassurance. This is especially important for people with dental anxiety, and many dentists offer specific accommodations. You can also set up a signal to pause the procedure in case of pain to make you feel more comfortable.
5. Distract yourself during the appointment.
Soothe yourself throughout the appointment by playing your favorite music. Make sure to use earphones that are easy for your dentist to maneuver around. Videos and movies are also ideal, as they offer a couple of visuals to which you can turn your attention.
6. Ask for medication.
If all else fails, you can request medication. About 75.7% of dentists in the United States and Canada utilize conscious sedation, which helps you stay awake during the procedure while blocking out any pain and discomfort.
Overcome your fears with these small but mighty tips.
Acknowledge that your dental health comes first. Explore the above strategies to help you manage and rise above your dental anxiety. You can take things one visit at a time. And remember: you got this!