Dental phobia is the fear of going to a dentist. Many people dread going to the dentist, leading to no-shows and canceled appointments. It can affect anyone, but children are more prone to dental phobia. However, dental visits can be a pleasant experience due to tech advancements and the emergence of several treatment options. Dental practitioners employ various tactics to make patients calm and comfortable during treatment. You can also overcome dental phobia using the following strategies:
Meditation
One way of dealing with dental phobia is meditation. This practice helps reduce anxiety and promote calmness while sitting in the waiting room. Meditation entails emptying your mind while deliberately focusing on feelings of calmness and awareness. You can also focus on a particular object to distract your thoughts.
Deep Breathing Exercises
Deep breathing exercises can make you feel calm before and during a dental visit. It involves breathing in and out through your nose or mouth while holding your breath for several seconds. It can help make you comfortable before seeing your dentist.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Dental phobia can make your muscles tight and crampy. You can overcome this issue through progressive muscle relaxation. This technique entails tensing and relaxing the muscles to ease stress and anxiety before and during a dental visit.
Sedation Dentistry
Dentists use various sedation options to keep you calm and comfortable during a dental procedure. The ideal anesthetics depends on the type of treatment. Local anesthesia numbs the site before a procedure, while deep sedation makes you sleep during treatment. Discuss the various sedation options available with your dentist before a procedure.
Anxiolytic Medications
Taking anxiolytic medications can help reduce stress and anxiety, ensuring a pleasant dental experience. These pre-operative drugs are ideal for patients scheduled for oral surgery. They target the brain neurotransmitters, helping reduce abnormal excitability.
Contact Us Today
Dental phobia can make you skip your appointments for no valid reason. Contact us today to learn more tips on how to deal with anxiety before a dental visit.
Dental phobia is the fear of going to a dentist. Many people dread going to the dentist, leading to no-shows and canceled appointments. It can affect anyone, but children are more prone to dental phobia. However, dental visits can be a pleasant experience due to tech advancements and the emergence of several treatment options. Dental practitioners employ various tactics to make patients calm and comfortable during treatment. You can also overcome dental phobia using the following strategies: