Dental anxiety is a common problem, with around 20% of people avoiding even routine dental visits as a result. While this may work in the short term, in the long term, neglecting oral health means a high risk of problems such as gum disease, cavities, and tooth loss. If you have a problem with dental anxiety, it's essential to get a handle on it so that you can visit your dentist and get the care you need for good oral health. Here are some tips for controlling dental-related anxiety.
Choose the Right Dentist
If your choice of dentist is part of the problem—for instance, if they don't understand how dental anxiety is affecting you—consider picking a new one. Choose a dentist who has plenty of experience, who you feel comfortable with, and who treats dental anxiety with compassion and sensitivity.
Ask Your Dentist for Details
If the fear of the unknown is making your anxiety worse, ask your dentist for more information about the procedures they perform. A root canal or other procedure is always more difficult the first time when you don’t know what to expect. If you know people, who have had the same procedure, considering asking them about their experience, too.
Learn Some Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation techniques may be able to help you calm your anxiety while you’re in the dentist’s chair.
One useful and easy technique is to maintain slow and steady breathing consciously. To do this, inhale over a count of 3, and then exhale over another 3-count. This works because when you feel anxious and panicky, your body’s natural reaction is to breathe more quickly. So, when you focus on slow and steady breathing, it’s harder for your body to get into panic mode.
This technique works best when you practice before you need to use it. Try practicing for 10 minutes a day for a few weeks before your next dental appointment.
Ask Your Dentist about Sedation Options
If you practice relaxation and are still having a hard time controlling your anxiety, consider asking your dentist about dental sedation. Many dentists provide one or more options for sedation, to help people relax while receiving treatment. While some sedation methods are typically reserved for surgery and other difficult procedures, light sedation is a possibility for more routine procedures too.
Knowledgeable and compassionate dentists, Dr. Michael Herberts and Dr. Choi, enjoy helping anxious patients receive the professional care they need. For more information, we encourage you to call our Port Coquitlam dental practice today!