Tips to Stay Calm at the Dentist
Does the thought of visiting your dentist make you scared? Don’t be ashamed because you are not alone. Approximately 30 percent of Americans are affected by dental phobia and refuse to visit dentists to complete essential dental work.
Avoiding essential dental appointments for exams and cleanings can aggravate minor issues in your mouth to require intensive treatments costing thousands instead of merely a few dollars.
You may have several reasons why you fear the dentist. Perhaps you had a painful experience with your dentist earlier or think the dentist will cause you pain. You might become nervous when having someone working in your mouth or panic when you hear the sound of the dental drill. Most importantly, you might become embarrassed because you haven’t taken proper care of your teeth.
Regardless of the cause of your dental anxiety, your dental health is critical to your overall health. Therefore you must put your fears behind you and visit your dentist by overcoming your dental phobia to remain calm at the dentist.
What Happens When You Neglect Dental Appointments?
Whether your dentist is terrifying or not, the fact remains that it is never a brilliant idea to put off regular dental appointments. Inadequate oral hygiene can result in nasty consequences that need regular treatments from dental professionals. Some of the adverse impacts of avoiding dental visits include cavities, bad breath, plaque and tartar, tooth loss, gum disease, discolored teeth, and infections.
Research reveals an association exists between gum disease and heart disease. The inflammation in diseased gums can spread into the bloodstream to narrow your arteries. Gum disease also plays a role in developing osteoporosis, respiratory infections, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis. If you understand the consequences of fearing dental visits because of phobia, here are some tips that will encourage you to schedule appointments with your dentist.
What Are Some Symptoms of Dental Anxiety?
Every patient is unique and has different symptoms of dental anxiety. For example, one patient may display visible distress, crying, or signs of panic. Some may even have your blood pressure and possible fainting.
You may experience sweating and racing heartbeat or palpitations or use humor or aggression to mask your anxiety. Therefore every patient has different symptoms, which result in neglecting dental visits to the detriment of their dental health.
What Can I Take to Relax before Dental Work?
We suggest you don’t take anything to relax before any dental work. Instead, you talk to the dentist in Phoenix, AZ, for a solution to overcome your dental phobia. You might be ashamed to discuss your fears with your dentist but rest assured dentists are aware of the patient’s fears and will do everything possible to ease your anxiety.
Helpful Tips to Stay Calm at the Dentist
Learn from Practice
Use your mind’s eye to practice sitting in the dentist’s chair. You must try to find a quiet and comfortable place, close your eyes, and envisage being treated by the dentist. Imagine some drilling, scraping, and suction sounds until you become comfortable with yourself. Imagine that your next dental appointment will expose you to similar sounds and repeat the practice session until the day before your work to become relaxed and calm.
Discuss Your Nervousness
If you fear dental visits, the optimal method to overcome your phobia is to discuss your nervousness with the Phoenix dentist. As mentioned earlier, please do not be ashamed to discuss your fears with the dentist or their staff because they will go the extra mile to make you comfortable during your dental visit. They might even have some of your favorite relaxing music or communicate with you in a specific way to understand whether you are satisfied or in pain during your appointment.
Use YouTube to Watch Dental Videos
YouTube has many videos on dentistry, and you can watch any, including root canals or dental implants, from the comfort of your home. You can select the subject you want, confident that a video will soon display itself for you to understand what you can expect during your appointment. However, the videos will help ease your mind when looking at a dental professional performing a specific procedure you are scheduled for to prepare you for your appointment.
Choose the Optimal Time
You must spend some time understanding when you are most relaxed during the day and schedule your appointment accordingly. Many patients think they are relaxed in the morning and find the timing optimal for dental visits. You will find it much easier to complete your session with the dentist when you schedule an appointment at a time-optimal for you.
Dental phobia has existed since dentistry, and dentists are aware of it. If you are affected by this problem, discuss your situation with All Smile Dental Care, who might recommend similar tips and sedation to help you stay calm at the dentist.