It’s not uncommon to cringe at the thought of your next dental appointment. Lying back in a chair while someone pokes and prods around your molars and picks the tartar off your pearly whites with a metal pick is probably not in your top five favorite things to do. Some people can even develop anxiety or fear related to seeing their dentist, and in extreme cases can have such a severe phobia that they avoid the dental office altogether. However, your dental health is still important for your overall well-being. Here are a few tips to overcome your fear of the dentist so that you can get your important regular check-ups with minimal stress.
Keep Up with Regular Visits
The more you keep up with regular cleanings and dental check-ups, the more you can desensitize yourself to the experience of being at the dentist, from the noises around the practice to the way it feels to have someone clean your teeth. However, the recommendation is typically to have a dental check-up twice a year. If you have a severe phobia, that may not be enough to fully desensitize you to the experience.
If your phobia is so severe that you cannot even sit down in the chair with the hygienist, you might try a type of progressive “exposure therapy.” You’d start by spending short visits in the waiting room, and progress to sitting in the treatment chair for a few minutes at a time. You could then try partial treatments, cleanings, and even x-rays as you gradually desensitize yourself to the overall experience. This process can take place over weeks or months and is based on your comfort zone.
Practice Diligent Home Care
One way to ease your anxiety over seeing your dentist is to care for your teeth very thoroughly every day. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and using a rinse treatment are the basics of maintaining your dental health at home. If your teeth are prone to build-up, a “water pick” might be a worthy investment to achieve a deeper clean as needed at home. This of course does not replace regular dental appointments. Taking good care of your teeth at home can give you more confidence and help you feel more relaxed about seeing your dentist because you’ll know you’re doing your best to take good care of your teeth on your own time.
Breathing Techniques
Even if you have excellent dental health and hygiene practices, dental cleanings are not always the most comfortable. Sometimes things come up that require more intensive treatment such as cavity fillings or root canals, where you may have to sit through some discomfort during the treatment. These are good times to utilize relaxation breathing techniques as a means to lower the stress in your body from having to endure any pain. Breathe deeply through your nose and do your best to relax. If you need a break, say so.
Your Dentist Wants to Help You
Your dentist wants you to have the best possible experience under their care. It doesn’t mean it’s always going to be very comfortable, but you just have to remind yourself that the discomfort is temporary, and thanks to modern dental technology and our experienced dentists most treatments are completely painless. Your overall oral health is worth overcoming your fear of the dentist. Reach out to Spectrum Dental Denver today and feel free to be transparent about any anxieties you’re holding about your upcoming visit. We are more than happy to help you and answer your questions.
