Dental anxiety is a significant health concern, affecting about 20% of people in the United States. This concern prompts most people to find excuses to avoid dental visits. Once you skip or postpone your dental appointment, you risk more severe dental complications later. Luckily, if you struggle with dental anxiety, there are numerous measures you could take to feel more at ease in the dentist’s office. Here are five tips Saratoga dental anxiety specialist Dr. Kiran Rapal suggests for overcoming dental phobia.
1) Have A Reliable Person Accompany You To The Clinic
Peer support can assist people with dental anxieties to remain calm in the dentist’s office. This individual could be a relative, a workout friend, or a close friend. The thought of having somebody around, even if they do not step into your dentist’s consultation with you, could be all you need to alleviate your anxiousness throughout the appointment.
2) Identify Distractions
A dental clinic’s strange machines and equipment could induce anxiety in anybody. During a dental appointment, patients who find the noises of this equipment annoying should seek out distractions. If television is available, watch it or listen to music with headphones.
3) Try Relaxation Techniques
There are numerous breathing exercises and relaxation procedures patients can try to relax. When feeling anxious in the dentist’s office, try these practices to see if it alleviates your anxiety. Additionally, a few minutes of meditation can prevent anxiety.
If you want to take a deep breath, shut your eyes, and take long, measured breaths. These practices reduce blood pressure, relax muscles, and slow heart rate. Various online audio tracks and applications can help you learn these techniques.
4) Remain In Control
One of the most common causes of dental anxiety is the perception that one lacks control over the situation. Patients can maintain a sense of control during their appointments by articulating their worries to the dentist and asking questions before every procedure. This practice provides the individual with a clear understanding of what to expect, which helps to calm their worries. Besides, if your dentist knows you have dental anxiety, they can administer appropriate therapy to manage your anxious feelings.
5) Think About Sedation Dentistry
There are medicinal remedies for dental anxiety. Dental specialists use oral sedation to relax and calm patients before and throughout procedures. With oral sedation, the patient can unwind without experiencing negative emotions.
Typically, during sedation dentistry, your dentist blows nitrous oxide through a mask to help you relax. Nitrous oxide is fast-acting; thus, you will experience the effects within minutes of administration. Unlike general anesthesia, which requires some downtime, after nitrous oxide sedation, patients can drive home because the gas wears off almost as rapidly.
Do not allow your dental anxiety to keep you from attaining the smile of your dreams. Avoiding your dental appointments is detrimental to your dental health and could also affect general health and other aspects like self-confidence. Dr. Kiran Rapal will help you conquer your dental anxiety to pave the way for you to access other dental care treatments. Arrange an appointment today via mobile or book online to discuss your concerns.