How To Stay Calm At The Dentist
Being afraid of the dentist is an understandable and common thing, but it should never reach the point where you'd rather put up with mouth pain than make a dental appointment. This fear can come from never having been to a dentist before, having negative experiences in the past, or simply just the fact that going to to the dentist is uncomfortable. Regardless of your reason, a little shopping around, communication and relaxation techniques can help you fare better before and during your appointments.
Find A Dentist For You
Looking for a good dentist involves more than just the dentist himself; it's also important to choose a location with staff you like, as well as an office you could see yourself returning to. Environment is everything; if you feel a sense of dread walking in the door, it's going to make it that much harder. But even if you aren't in a position where you can't change dentists, there are still other things you can do.
Start With Small Procedures
No matter your situation, you can work towards being more comfortable at the dentist by starting with small procedures at your own pace. Make one visit about discussing your health with your doctor, then make another visit about cleaning your teeth. While you're at it, get to know your dentist and talk to them. If it helps, ask them to be talkative to help you take your mind off what's going on.
Bring A Friend
If you don't feel like going to the dentist alone, you probably don't have to. Bring along a friend or family member for some moral support, and they can wait for you in the waiting room or even come into the room with you and the dentist. This is almost always acceptable, but just in case, let your dentist know ahead of time what you want to do so they know what kind of accommodations to make.
Communicate
It's understandable if you want to try to avoid annoying the dentist by speaking up about your discomfort, but communication is important for both you and your dentist to help everything go smoothly. Before a procedure of any kind, explain that you're nervous and ask what your options are. Dentists are more than willing to accommodate for you because it also makes things easier on them. Make sure you communicate with them the whole way.
Ask About Sedation
If you are nervous or anxious about the dentist in general, ask about possibly being sedated during the process. Sedation can range from something that relaxes you to something that essentially knocks you out completely, and most dentists have the ability to offer at least some of this assistance. When you're making an appointment for a future visit and it's something you're not looking forward to, ask about sedation to see if it can work for you.
Reward Yourself
Sometimes making yourself feel more comfortable at the dentist is as simple as a little positive association. Whenever you finish a successful trip to the dentist, treat yourself by going to the movies or buying yourself a little something you want. This can end up helping you get over your fear if you associate the dentist with negative things.
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