Get Over Your Fear of the Dentist - Tips to Improve Your Next Visit

In this post we give some tips on what you can do during a treatment to better cope with dental anxiety.  Commit to overcoming your fear of dentists. It’s time to take action. You can’t achieve anything until you have a plan, and we have a lot of ideas to help you.

Distract Yourself

Modern dentists are well aware of the power of distraction to ease their patients’ feelings of fear during appointments. Use whatever means necessary to keep your mind off of what’s being done in your mouth, such as:

• Count to one thousand by threes.
• Replay a movie in your head.
• Try to remember the speech you memorized for your ninth grade Model United Nations competition.
• Silently recite the alphabet backwards.

Bring a Family Member or Friend With You

Most adults go to dentist appointments alone. However, bringing along a friend or family member who understands your fears can be reassuring. They can help you stay calm during your appointment. Let us know ahead of time and we will make accommodations

Use Noise-Canceling Headphones

Many people’s dental anxiety ratchets up a few notches as soon as they hear the drill. By using noise-canceling headphones, you can block out the machinery sounds in the office, helping you to relax while the dentist does their work. Music can help relax you and allow you to zone out while your teeth are being cleaned. Use your phone or iPod to listen to your favorite tunes while the dentist works.

Ask About Modifications

Not every dental procedure must be the same for each person. Say you have a sensitive gag reflex that makes you dread getting X-rays. Talk to your dentist about your concerns. Perhaps you can get panoramic X-rays instead, which are less likely to make you gag.

Stay Halfway up in the Chair

If you worry about the discomfort or vulnerability of going all the way back in the dentist’s chair, this problem can be addressed in two main ways. First, you could try using pillows under the areas where you feel aches when going back in the chair. Second, the dentist may make an accommodation for you by putting the chair only halfway back during the checkup.

Meditate

Meditation calms your nerves by slowing your heart rate and forcing you to get into a rhythmic breathing. Try practicing at home for a few weeks before your appointment, so you know how to Zen out when needed.

Use a Nasal Strip

If you breathe through your mouth, you may have difficulty breathing during a dental appointment because you are not used to taking in air through your nose. By using a nasal strip across your nose, you open up the passages and get more air in.

Agree on a Signal

Before the drill comes out or the cleaning begins, talk to your dentist or hygienist about a nonverbal signal you can give if you become panicked or uncomfortable. When they see this signal, they can stop and give you a few moments to recover before continuing.

Consider Changing Dentists

If you don’t feel comfortable with your dentist, they may not be the right fit for you. It’s okay to look somewhere else to find a place where you do feel at home.

Talk About Your Pain Management Options

If you’re trying to overcome a fear of dentists, you may simply be scared of feeling pain during your visit. Chat with your dentist and hygienist about your fears so they understand where your anxiety is coming from. For example, we could use a topical anesthetic to numb the area where an injection will be made. By opening a dialogue with your dentist about alternatives to avoid pain, you will feel more at ease with whatever solution you find.

Sedation Dentistry Options

For patients who simply cannot overcome their feelings of anxiety and fear when they arrive at the dentist’s office, more and more dentists in Sanford are offering sedation dentistry options, and it is fairly common elsewhere. We can offer you a range of sedation options, depending on your needs. Be sure to ask about sedation options for your dental procedure. Progressive dental practices ensure patients are comfortable and will share that sedation options are there for a range of dental procedures, not just for “surgery”.

You CAN Get Over Your Fear of the Dentist

By using these tips and planning ahead for your visit, you can alleviate many of the dentist-related fears that may have been holding you back from getting regular dental care. Still, adults aren’t the only ones who are afraid of dental visits.

You can also find information and support online at Dental Fear Center, a website dedicated to helping people overcome their fear and anxiety about visiting the dentist. There’s no need to fear going to the dentist. You can get through your anxiety, go to the dentist with confidence, and feel great about your smile again.

Contact Us- We’d Love to Help You

At Oakport Dental, we are dedicated to our patients having the best and most comfortable dental experience. Knowing that you have a choice in Sanford dental care providers, we do our best to treat everyone who walks through our doors like a member of our own family.

Whether it is with determination, sedation options or professional help if needed, you can overcome your fear of the dentist. Use these ideas as a starting point to getting past your worries, and always feel free to contact us at Oakport Dental if you’d like to talk discuss your needs. We are available for you Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm, and you can call us on 407-323-5340, fax us at (407) 322-9136, or email us at sanford@oakportdental.com.