DENTAL ANXIETY
How To Release the Fear
How to make your dental visit more relaxing?
- We recommend selecting an appointment time for your dental visit when you’re less likely to be under pressure. This might mean a Saturday or our first appointment of the day.
Consider additional medication to relax. We recommend nitrousoxide or valium.
Regular visits will help prevent problems as well as allow you to get comfortable with your dental visits. For some patients coming to your dental visit can be difficult. However, coming to your preventive care appointment will help avoid larger more expensive procedures in the future.
- Avoid caffeine before a dental appointment. Try to eat highprotein foods which – unlike sugary foods – produce a calming effect.
Dental Anxiety is Not Uncommon
According to the Journal of the American Dental Association 75% of Americans experience some level of dental related fear. If you have a fear of dental work, we want you to know making you feel comfortable and safe at our office is our first priority. We ask that if you feel uncomfortable at anytime during your dental procedure to let us know by raising your left hand. At this time we will stop to make the procedure as comfortable as possible.
We have the following available for your comfort:
Blankets, Sunglasses, Warm Washcloths, Head Phones, Chapstick, Wi-Fi, Valium (If driver is available, 1 hour before appointment time), Water, Coffee, Neck Pillows.
Use mindful breathing techniques. When people are nervous they tend to hold their breath, which decreases oxygen levels and further increases feelings of panic. As in some meditation techniques, a focus on slow, regular breathing helps reduce stress levels.
Listening to music or an audio book can help you keep your mind off your dental procedure.
Get a Good Nights rest the day before your visit. Sleeping 6-8 hours before your appointment can help your mind prepare for you dental visit.
If you have questions we can explain the entire procedure to you beforehand, as well as walk you through step-by-step while the procedure is being performed.
If you have questions ask before hand so that we can help you feel comfortable about your dental visit.