Simple techniques to combat your dental anxiety.

Dental anxiety is a serious issue for many patients, leading to fear of the dentist or serious stress surrounding dental treatment. It can even impede patients from getting the care they need, causing dental issues to become much worse. 

Dental anxiety and dentophobia impact patients of all ages and can be a lifelong struggle for many. However, here are some simple tips you can try to combat dental anxiety.

1. Communicate With Your Dentist

Open communication is critical in dental care. This is particularly true in cases of dental anxiety, where each patient’s experience can be different. Make sure to mention dental anxiety and any concerns you might have with your dentist. They’ll work to accommodate your needs and find the best possible solution.

Discussing dental anxiety before treatment can help you and your dentist implement effective methods for dealing with it. Establishing hand signals or having paper on hand to write something down while you aren’t able to talk during treatment can help address any concerns and make you feel more at ease.

2. Practice Deep Breathing and Relaxation Techniques

In many cases, dental anxiety can be at least somewhat quelled through relaxation techniques. If you’re anxious ahead of an appointment, try implementing the four-seven-eight breathing method. Simply inhale for four seconds, hold your breath for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds. Then, repeat.

Progressive muscle relaxation is another excellent technique. It involves tensing and relaxing different muscle groups in sequence, helping to divert attention away from your anxiety. Guided imagery works for some patients. They focus on an imagined serene and peaceful setting instead of the current situation.

3. Bring a Distraction

Simple distractions can make a world of difference in many cases of dental anxiety. Having something else to focus on other than the sensations felt during treatment will help soothe you. Music is a simple solution. Just bring headphones along during the treatment. Podcasts, audiobooks, and other media work just as well as music.

For others, a more tactile distraction may work more effectively. Something like a stress ball or other physical objects to hold during treatment can be effective. Depending on the type of treatment, it may be appropriate to bring a book along to read and serve as a visual distraction that requires significant focus.

4. Schedule Wisely

A lot of the stress associated with dental anxiety can come from scheduling an appointment at a challenging time. Try choosing times when you are less likely to be stressed. 

Additionally, don’t try to squeeze your appointment into a busy schedule. Instead, ensure that you have enough time to block off to get there, sit through your appointment, and get back without any issues.

Choosing the time of your appointment mindfully can also give you a more relaxing experience at the office. Dental practices may be less busy in the early morning. That timeframe also means less waiting ahead of your appointment, so you won’t fixate on it throughout the day.

5. Use Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of the present moment and experiencing your feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. It can significantly reduce stress and help you deal with dental anxiety. Instead of focusing on sensations related to your treatment, you concentrate on other sights and sounds around the dental office.

Meditation provides solutions for anxiety as well. Simply focusing on your breathing at a steady rate can be a type of meditation, while some augment that process by repeating a phrase or mantra. Meditation in a quiet place is a particularly effective way to prepare for an appointment, letting you go into the dental office calmly.

6. Consider Sedation Dentistry

Severe dental anxiety is a serious concern for oral health. You may not be able to get the treatment you need, leading to all kinds of issues. In these cases, sedation dentistry can make treatment bearable so that you get the treatment you need. Talk with your dentist about sedation dentistry options to find out whether they are right for you.

There are several different types of sedation dentistry. Nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, is among the most common. It keeps you relaxed and calm but still awake and wears off quickly after treatment. 

Other cases may call for oral sedatives or IV sedation. These are applied with a pill or through intravenous injection. They often provide stronger sedation, with patients potentially falling asleep.

Greenville Family Dentistry for Dental Anxiety

If you experience dental anxiety, putting these tips into action could be just the solution you need to have comfortable access to important dental treatment. Monroe Family Dentistry provides family dental in Greenville, South Carolina, tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Schedule an appointment today to talk more about dental anxiety, and we’ll find a solution together.