If you experience dental anxiety, you are not alone. It's important to keep up with your dental care, but we also want you to be calm and comfortable visiting us. Here are some natural tips that may help reduce your fear at the dental office.
Dental anxiety occurs in the majority of the population. According to researchers, anywhere between 50 and 80% of adults in the United States have some degree of dental anxiety, ranging from mild to severe. More than 20% of dentally anxious patients do not see a dentist regularly, and anywhere from 9 to 15% of anxious patients avoid care altogether (White et al., 2017).
Avoiding dental care is never the right answer, even if you struggle with dental anxiety. An untreated dental infection can affect more than just your oral health. It can affect your heart, brain, and overall health. But when you are faced with dental anxiety, it's easy to let time slip by before your next visit to the dentist. Before you know it, it could be 10 or more years since your last checkup (trust me, I see this happen often). And many times, avoidance makes anxiety worse because once the patient finally works up enough courage to visit, there are even more dental problems that could've been avoided with preventive maintenance.
So what can you do to help lessen your anxiety about dental treatment? Below I've outlined some practices that have proven to work for many patients.
Practice guided imagery. Immerse yourself in positive imagery, including the use of your five senses. For example, imagine yourself laying on a dock at a lake, under the shade of the tall pine trees. You can hear the water softly splashing under the dock as a boat puts by. The sunshine is peeking through the branches of the pines, and you can feel the warmth on your cheeks. (And you could even bring an object with you such as a pinecone to hold in your hands to deepen the experience).
Ask about the use of sedation or analgesia. We have a variety ways to manage pain, including needle-less options! My personal favorite is called Oraqix (pronounced ora-kicks). Oraqix is a non-injectable (meaning no needle!) topical anesthetic that goes into the gum pocket to numb a specific area for regular cleanings and deep cleanings. It works great, and I've found that most patients are super comfortable during the procedure. Oral sedation is also an awesome option that some dentists offer. For oral sedation dentistry, you take a sedative pill orally and although most patients don't actually go to sleep, once the pill wears off when they get home, they have no recollection of their appointment. These patients have way less anxiety at their dental visits!
Communicate your fears or concerns with your dental care provider. We are here to help and want to help make your appointment comfortable!
Use lavender essential oils prior to and at your visit. Lavender is an herb known for its calming effects, and can relax your mind and body.
Bring music and headphones. This is one of my favorite tips for relaxation! Using music as a distraction from the background noises of the dental office can calm even the most nervous patients.
Bring a friend! Bringing someone close to you can be comforting and can even bring fun to the appointment!
Ask for a blanket. Most dental offices have freshly washed blankets for patient use, whether it's to stay warm in the figid dental office or to help make you more comfortable.
Watch a movie. Bringing your phone or tablet to watch a movie can make the time in the dental chair pass quickly and distract you from your fears.
Ask to take a break. We can break up the dental appointment if necessary to accommodate your comfort level. We will gladly work at a pace you feel comfortable with.
Arrive right on time. Sitting in a medical waiting room tends to stir up anxiety. By arriving right on time, you will save yourself waiting time and hopefully reduce the anxiety as well.
I hope these tips work for anyone suffering from dental anxiety!
Pass this on to those who needs the support and advice!
References
White, A. M., Giblin, L., & Boyd, L. D. (2017). The Prevalence of Dental Anxiety in Dental Practice Settings. Journal of dental hygiene : JDH, 91(1), 30–34.
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