How to Manage Your Fears of Going to the Dentist
Headphones
Consider bringing in music with headphones. This could be in the form of an MP3 player or iPod.This helps block out the sounds which tend to be over-exaggerated to begin with. Pick some musicthat is soothing and can be a calming distraction for you.
Sleep Mask
Next, consider bringing a sleep mask. Just like the sounds can amplify your fears, so can seeing thedentist Don't Be Surprised How Simple It Is - Caring for your Teeth with dental tools. Using a sleepmask can be soothing for some people. Combined with the music and you have blocked out sight andsound with is a part of most fears.
Television at the Office
Some dental offices are adding televisions in the ceiling to help distract patients from focusing onthe procedure itself. This has made an amazing head way in pediatric dentistry and some adultdentistry doctors are implementing this as well.
Make Early Appointments
The American Dental Association (ADA) suggests that patients with dental anxiety should scheduletheir appointments as early in the morning as possible. This is because the office isn't as busy.Having more people, including other patients, in the office has been known increase fears of thedentist.
Medication
If the fear of pain is the issue, again this should be conveyed to the dentist. If you are afraid of theNovocaine shot, ask for a topical anesthetic to numb the area before the shot is given. This willminimize the pain to just pressure.
For those with severe dental anxiety talk with your dentist to find out if he or she uses anything tohelp calm your nerves. Some dentists have sedative drugs and techniques to help ease your fears.The ADA insists that sedation used during dental procedures is safe when administered properly.They also suggest that psychological steps should be tried first and use sedation only in severecases.
Regardless of what may be causing your fears, consider that if you don't address them and have thenecessary dental work done, you may have to go in for more advanced procedures as your conditionworsens. This may cause you to have even more anxiety and fear than you already had.
