Does the sight of a syringe or the sound of a drill make you cringe? Do you make dental appointments, only to cancel them a day or two later? Do you experience an overwhelming anxiety or get sweaty palms during a trip to the dentist? Dental phobia ranges from high stress levels to mild feelings of apprehension, full-blown panic attacks, and emotional discomfort. The following tips will help you overcome dental phobia.
Tip #1: Choose your dentist wisely
Choose a kind, trustworthy, friendly, and supportive dentist. A great dentist is one who understands all your feelings before, during, and after treatment. He or she should offer maximum and unconditional support throughout. Never be afraid to ask any questions. Take notes that will make you feel more at ease.
Tip #2: Use diversion techniques
Distracting your mind during a trip to the dentist is highly effective at combating dental phobia. You can carry your headphones to play some cool and relaxing music during a procedure. Alternatively, try listening to some inspirational audio files as your dentist does his or her thing. Ask a Cochrane dentist to squeeze any of your hands in case she or he needs something.
Tip #3: Ignore the needle
A major attribute of dental phobia is fear of pain. Even tough individuals are reduced to tears at the sight of needles. To ease an injection’s discomfort, most dentists use topical anesthetics. Some wiggle patient’s lips for distraction purposes. Closing one’s eyes and ignoring the needle all together is quite magical in helping you get comfortable throughout your visit to the dentist.
Ignore the implements and simply breathe!
Tip #4: Talk to your dentist
Another effective tip in fighting dental anxiety is talking to your dentist about it. Find a dentist who can assist you with all the necessary knowledge and equipment to alleviate panic and fear. Tell your dentist exactly what you are afraid of. Let him or her explain the exact procedure(s) that will take place and the objectives.
Tip #5: Out of sight, out of mind
If you fear any dental tool, you can always ask your dentist to “hide” it before and the dental procedure. Alternatively, as aforementioned, keep your eyes closed. This will keep you comfortable and relaxed.
Dental phobia should not come in your way of getting that celebrity smile you’ve always desired. Instead, similar to fighting other fears, it is always prudent to make sure that you fight dental fear head on. This will go miles in ensuring you not only overcome dental fear, but also have impressive and gleaming white teeth. Let the above tips help you overcome any dental fear you might be suffering from.