How can you stop the dread from creeping up for your next appointment? Keep reading to find out.
1. Talk About How You Are Feeling
A lot of us don't like to talk about what we feel because it seems to make us feel weak or too vulnerable.
If you let the dental staff know what is going on, you are more likely to get some extra help and the dentist will know how to work with you better to get the care you need. They can't read your mind, so be sure that you are giving them the information they need.
2. Listen to Relaxing Music
Some people find that it is the sound of the tools in their mouth that really freak them out at the dental office.
If this happens to be you, consider asking your dentist if it is okay for you to
listen to some music with headphones in while the exam takes place. This can help you to relax and focus on something else.
You also might find that listening to some music before the actual appointment can help you be more calm as well, so it is worth trying out.
3. Develop and Use Some Hand Signals
A great way to communicate with the dentist while they are working on your mouth is with your hands. You can't speak very easily when they are doing their job, but you can still show them when you need them to stop or when something hurts with your hands.
This is a really powerful way to show that you are taking the appointment into your own hands and can stand up for yourself.
4. Get a Good Dentist
Always choose a dentist that you trust and believe will do the best job possible for you. Even better if they tell you that they are willing to work with anxious or scared patients!
It may be helpful to find some high quality reviews for
dentists in your favorite practice or even talk with family and friends about your concerns.
5. Pay Attention to Your Breathing
Something that a lot of people don't realize when they are nervous is that they may hold their breath. This ends up decreasing the amount of oxygen in the system and therefore increasing the amount of nervousness a person is feeling!
Before your dentist appointment, try to practice some calming medication exercises or even simple
breathing exercises . These can be helpful to practice while you are getting ready to go into your appointment because they may calm you down.
When concentrating on your breathing, just remember that slow and regular breathing is an effective way to reduce the amount of stress you are feeling.
6. Ask for Numbing Cream
A lot of patients that struggle with fear or anxiety will request that numbing cream be used on their gums for the procedures. You may even be able to get an injection.
This helps to make sure that you can't feel everything as directly, so it doesn't feel quite as uncomfortable as you are used to.
Something to be aware of is that not all insurance plans will cover this type of request if it is not considered necessary, so be sure to discuss this with your dental team before proceeding.
7. Get a Step-by-Step Rundown
When the dentist just starts poking around in your mouth and you don't know what's going on, it can be stressful. This is especially true if you already don't want to be there!
One way to help yourself be calmer is by getting a complete list of everything that the dentist plans to do. Ask the dentist what they plan to do first and what the sequence of events is going to be.
You may even want them to tell you what they are doing as they are doing it and this should be a perfectly reasonable request. As the patient, you have the right to know exactly what is happening and how the dentist plans to care for you.
8. Pick the Right Appointment Time
During the middle of the day or even on a weekend are typically the best times to set an appointment that you know may be stressful.
If you go during high points, like the morning or the end of a workday, you may find that it is much busier and anxiety-inducing. You might even feel rushed!
Choosing an appointment time that is less chaotic can definitely ease some of the anxiety that going to the dentist can bring up.
9. Reward Yourself for Facing the Dental Appointment
A great idea for anyone that may be dealing with the dread of going to the dentist is to come up with something fun to do afterward.
Maybe it is something like going to the movie theater or buying yourself some new clothing. Either way, be sure to have a plan of what you want to do afterward and maybe even get your ticket before the dentist appointment.
The trick with this tip is to only allow yourself to
accept the reward if you actually follow through with the appointment. Consider having someone else help hold you accountable and this could be a great motivator.
