It’s no surprise that fears of what might happen in the dentist’s chair tops the list of worries than many would-be patients have. If you have a fear of going to the dentist, there is more than just sedation dentistry to make you feel at ease. Here are some tips.
Arrange An Earlier Appointment
Meeting with your dentist before any actual work is done can help you feel more at ease regarding the whole process. Not every dentist can devote that sort of time to each patient, but explaining that you have a mild phobia will help the office understand what you need to be successful. Getting to establish a rapport with your new dentist and feeling less claustrophobic in the office will help you feel more at ease.
Put Your Fears Into Words
Talk with your dentist about the parts of the visit that bother you the most. For example, some people have a very sensitive gag reflex and hate the tabs for the x-rays. Many offices offer panoramic X-rays, so you may be able to avoid that part entirely!
Similarly, many people are not very comfortable with the tools in the dentist’s office. Once in the chair, they look around at every single piece of equipment there, and, naturally, their heart rate begins to speed up! Realizing that not every tool in the office is going to be used on you is a great start. But communicating with the dentist to determine what will be used can help you relax.
Think Sound
Sometimes it’s just the sound of the equipment that unnerves a patient. A study at King’s College London found that removing unpleasant noises could actually help reduce anxiety in the dentist’s office. You may want to try wearing earbuds and listening to music instead.
Choose the Right Dentist!
Personality really does make a difference! Research indicates that two of the biggest factors for reducing dental fear are actually humor and empathy. We want to feel understood and we want to be put at ease. So personality – bedside manner, if you will – matters quite a bit. Humor is great for anxiety. Personality doesn’t begin at the dentist’s chair, though. The entire staff can make a mildly phobic person less anxious by being kind and communicative, whether that is the hygienist or the billing office. Milder dental phobias are much easier to handle with good information, a caring staff and humorous attitude.
For More Serious Cases
Sometimes, though, mild phobias are not as mild as you might hope. In that case, ask your dentist about some nitrous oxide or other mild sedation dentistry methods that could make your visit more comfortable.
