How to Conquer Your Fear of the Dentist
Did you know that around 65% of adults go to the dentist? Even if you’re part of that group, you might not love the thought of heading in for a teeth cleaning and x-rays. After all, if your dentist discovers a cavity, you’ll have to go back for treatment. You’re not alone if you’re dealing with apprehension before your next dental appointment. Read on to learn how to conquer your fear of the dentist!
Bring a Friend with You
Do you keep thinking, “I hate the dentist?” Then bring a friend with you to your next appointment. Nothing makes a situation easier than a little moral support.
Talk about the latest movie or television series you’ve watched. Or play a game in the waiting room. You’ll be able to take your mind off the reason for being there!
Try Soothing Music
As another good distraction, turn to music. Bring a pair of noise-canceling headphones to block out the environment. And choose music that will help you feel at ease during your appointment.
View this local dental spa for more ways to feel relaxed at your next appointment. Dental spas use paraffin hand wax treatments, hot towels, and aromatherapy as part of their services. With the right ambiance, you’ll be able to relax.
Schedule an Appointment Strategically
Scheduling an appointment during the late afternoon or evening means there will be lots of other patients. These are congested points in the day. And the extra activity might not be helpful if you are scared of dentist visits.
The sound of a drill or polishers could be enough to trigger anxiety. Instead, opt for an appointment earlier in the day when you’re less likely to see or hear other patients.
Start with a Consultation
If you’ve been scared of dentist appointments in the past, the thought of a new dentist might be hard to take. That’s why it’s wise to schedule a consultation. You can even mention that you’ve experienced anxiety in the past.
During a consultation, you can meet and interact with the dentist on a more personal level. You’ll be able to see how the dentist behaves and understand their approach to patients with dentophobia or fear.
Turn to Medication
After a consultation, your dentist should be aware of your needs as a patient. For instance, you may require more anesthetic to feel relaxed and oblivious to pain.
Some dentists will administer sedatives to help you sleep during treatments. But be sure to ask what your dentist’s methods of helping patients cope with fear look like. And let your dentist know about a hand signal that can indicate you need a break if they’re performing a procedure in your mouth.
Manage Your Fear of the Dentist
If you have a fear of the dentist, there are ways to conquer the problem. Start by scheduling a consultation so you can know your dentist and understand how they can help you feel at ease. Bring a friend with you for support, and listen to music as a distraction.
For more tips to overcome your fears, check back soon for new articles!
Carla is a high performing marketing professional with 5+ years of experience driving growth of in a variety of corporate and entrepreneurial environments. Strong command of digital operations with exposure to influencer marketing strategy, branding, analytics, SEO/SEM, customer success, content development, and social media Core expertise lies in managing end-to-end campaigns, creating memorable content, and facilitating improved conversion rates to enhance e-commerce operations. Adept in ensuring alignment with organizational goals, facilitating streamlined operations, and leveraging a data driven strategy used to make insightful marketing decisions.
