While the dentist is rather important, many avoid their annual dental checkups purely due to fear and anxiety about the process. It’s understandable if you’re worried about the dentist – it can be painful, or you may have a bad memory of a past experience gone wrong. But the truth of the matter is that you shouldn’t have anything to worry about when you visit the dentist – it’s perfectly safe, and it’s good for you as well. It’s important that you visit the dentist before your oral health is negatively impacted, so you’ll have to get your anxiety under control. Here are a few tips to help you manage your dental anxiety.
Listen To Music
Many dental professionals will allow their patients to bring music into the office as long as it doesn’t get in the way can use headphones. Listening to music while you’re in the dentist’s chair can be a good distraction while they work in your mouth, so consider getting an iPod and some headphones. Most smartphones have music apps built into them nowadays and many use that as their portable music player, so you likely already have everything you need. Just find some tunes that you find relaxing, pop your headphones in, and let your dentist do their job.
Talk To Your Dentist
One of the simplest solutions to many problems is to talk about them. If you’re struggling with anxiety whenever you go to the dentist, try talking to them about it. Dental professionals work with patients who have dental anxiety every day so they’re used to it and may have some professional advice for you. They might try walking you through the process slowly so you can soak everything in, or the dentist may try talking to you about something entirely unrelated to your teeth as a way to distract you.
Medication
While it may seem drastic, getting medication prescribed to you is a great way to fight against your dental anxiety. Call your dentist before your next appointment and let them know how you’re feeling about your upcoming visit. It’s possible that they’ll be able to prescribe you something to help you relax once you sit in the chair, making your appointment much less stressful for both of you. Of course, be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions when using any prescribed medications in order to stay safe.