Seeing dentists for biannual checkups is vitally important to ensuring that your oral health is in good condition. Your dentist will be able to screen you for a wide variety of oral health problems while keeping your smile nice and clean.
However, many people have anxieties surrounding the dentist’s office that hold them back from getting the care that they need. If you’re one of them, learning to manage that anxiety is key to getting the smile you deserve! Here are three tips you can use if visiting the dentist makes you nervous.
Communication is Key
The first and most important thing to keep in mind is that your dentist doesn’t want you to be nervous—they’d like you to keep coming back to their practice, so they’ll be happy to do whatever it takes to put you at ease.
If you’re nervous, communicate these feelings to your dentist. If you’re scared of pain, for example, they can talk you through which anesthetics they’re using, and talk with you about your level of discomfort through the whole process.
Meditation and Breathing Exercises
When you get to the dentist’s office, it may be worth getting to the office a little early to get yourself centered. If you’re a fan of meditation, you might use this time to focus on your breathing and calm yourself down. This can ensure that you’re in a good headspace before your appointment.
Sedation Dentistry
If you find that you can’t shake your nerves, sedation dentistry can be a life saver for anxious patients. Your dentist can make use of a variety of sedatives, like nitrous oxide, to make the procedure a little easier for you to stomach.
Each of these sedatives is incredibly safe, and your dentist can easily attune the exact dosage to the needs of the patient. When paired with anesthetics, it can turn a trip to the dentist’s office into a pleasant experience for anyone.
Again, the most important thing to remember is that your dentist truly just wants you to enjoy your time in their office as much as possible. Tell them how you’re feeling, and they’ll do their part to make you calmer.
About Our Practice
At OakBrook Dental & Orthodontics, we know that lots of people are nervous when they visit the dentist’s office, which is why we make our patients comfort the center of our practice. We have a team of compassionate dentists whose chairside manner can put patients of any age at ease while offering the highest level of dental care possible.
If you have any questions about how you can overcome dental anxiety, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (469) 526-4040.