Simple Tricks for Overcoming Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety is a serious condition that impacts millions of Americans. Dental fear prevents many people from maintaining their oral health. If you have dental fears, you are not alone.

• A positive, informed mindset can help you overcome your fear of the dentist’s office. Here are some helpful hints to help you stay calm and collected during your procedures:
• When looking for a dentist, make sure they have a good reputation and get good reviews from their patients. It’s normal to be anxious about going to the dentist for the first time; however, it’s important that you’re comfortable while they’re working in your mouth.
• Talk to people you trust about your concerns. They may be able to reassure you or give you a reality check if your fears seem irrational.
  
  Read about the procedure you are scheduled to undergo, so you can know exactly what to expect before you get there. Knowing what will happen, what noises you might hear, and what sensations you will feel during the procedure will help you feel more at ease when you arrive at the office.
• Bring someone with you to your appointments whom you know will calm you down when you start to feel anxious. This could be a friend, significant other, or even a parent.
• Listen to your favorite playlist on your way to your appointment. This can help take your mind off of your nervousness by distracting you with something enjoyable.
• Think about the positive effects that a procedure can have on your oral health instead of thinking of it as something that will cause pain and discomfort. This will help you focus more on the long-term benefits and less on the short-term discomfort of a procedure.
• Discuss sedation options with your dental team if you feel that your fear might prevent you from being able to comfortably undergo certain procedures without experiencing intense anxiety. The most common form of dental sedation is known as nitrous oxide or laughing gas. This relaxes you as soon as you inhale the gas. The effects wear off quickly once you’re removed from the gas chamber. Oral sedatives can also relax you and help numb your nerves.

Got any doubts? Visit Alencar Family Dentistry. We are located at 711 Greenbrier Pkwy Suite 101, Chesapeake, VA 23320. Contact us at (757) 546-0301 or visit our website for more information.