Tips And Tricks To Ease Dental Fear

Do you have dental fear? A large number of Americans are hesitant to visit their dentist because of dental anxiety. If you are someone with dental fear, read on to learn a few tips to ease them.

Speak up about your fears

One of the best ways to ease your dental fear is to speak up about it. Your dentist can’t help you if they don’t know you have any fears or anxieties. Discuss your worries and ask your provider what accommodations can be made to help you feel more relaxed and calm.

Agree on a signal

If you are afraid or anxious in the dentist’s chair, try speaking with your dentist beforehand or before the procedure begins. Let them know about your fear and ask them if they can give you a signal that will tell you when they can pause and take a break. This could be holding up two fingers together or holding their hand on their mouth for a moment. Try using hand signals to communicate with each other throughout the procedure too. This will let the dentist know that you need a break and that you appreciate their help in understanding your needs.

Bring a distraction

Some offices have TVs on the ceilings to distract patients, but some patients prefer to bring in something to keep themselves busy while they sit in the patient chair. You might consider bringing a book to read or a magazine to flip through while you are waiting. You can do anything that will keep your mind off of the upcoming procedure until your appointment time is over.

Then when you’re in the dentist’s chair, try closing your eyes and saying a little prayer or meditation to yourself. This will help you to prepare your mind and body for the upcoming treatment. When it is time to begin, you can open your mouth willingly, knowing that you’ve prepared yourself mentally for what is to come. This will help to ease some of the anxiety that you might feel in the dentist’s chair.

Take a trusted person with you

Bringing a friend or loved one to your appointments can be comforting and calming. They can listen in on the procedure, ask questions, take notes, and offer moral support. They can help remind you to do breathing exercises and stay calm and relaxed. You can agree on a signal to let them know you need a break or need something. This can help you feel more in control during your treatment and ease your fear.

Request dental sedation

Don’t forget that your dentist is trained to offer sedation dentistry procedures to ease pain and anxiety during treatments. If you need something to help, you relax during your next appointment, ask your dentist about oral conscious sedation. Your dentist can prescribe medication to take before you arrive for your treatment that will help keep you relaxed throughout your appointment.

During oral conscious sedation, you’ll feel sleepy but still be awake enough to follow instructions from your dentist. You won’t be able to remember much about your treatment, but you won’t feel any pain. Oral conscious sedation is a great option for those with severe dental anxiety and fears. Talk to your dentist today to see if this option could help you.

To learn more about our dental procedures or to schedule your appointment for dental checkups, call Whitlow Dental Care at (559)441-7700.