Five Ways to Stay Calm and Get the Dental Work Done

If you struggle with dental anxiety and fear, you are not alone. In fact, nearly 80% of people experience dental anxiety at some point in their lives. However, it's absolutely important to visit the dentist regularly. So when you find a dentist who makes you feel comfortable, going to the dentist will be much easier.

Nevertheless, many patients fear the dentist because they associate it with pain and discomfort. But you don't have to! In fact, dental work can be relatively pain-free, and your dentist can help make treatment more comfortable. Here are a few ways that can help you keep calm during dental procedures: 

Discuss Your Anxiety With Your Dentist

The first thing you should do is be honest about how much anxiety you're feeling about going to the dentist. The more your dentist knows about your anxiety, the better they will be able to help you. In some cases, your dentist will be able to prescribe you medication that you can take before you go in for your procedure. That way, your anxiety will be less likely to flare up.

Schedule a Dental Procedure When You're Well-Rested

If you're feeling tired or fatigued, reschedule your dental appointment. If you're too exhausted to be pleasant and cooperative, your dental provider might have trouble doing their job.

Listen to Your Favorite Music

Listening to your favorite music is a great way to stay relaxed and calm before your appointment. If the appointment is early in the morning, you may want to create a playlist of fun, upbeat songs. This will help you wake up and get ready for the day. If the appointment is later in the day, you may want to create a playlist of relaxing tunes to help you unwind.

Consider Using a Relaxation Technique Like Meditation or Guided Imagery

Meditation can help calm you. And, it doesn't require any special training. We recommend mindfulness meditation, which teaches you to stay in the present moment and deal with what's happening right now. Guided imagery is a technique that uses your imagination to help you relax. You can imagine a calm, peaceful place like the beach or the mountains that helps you feel at ease. 

Bring a Friend Along

Having someone you trust there with you can help reduce your anxiety and make you feel more comfortable. Ask a good friend, family member, or spouse to accompany you to your dental appointment.

We at Vose Family Dentistry have been helping patients with dental anxiety undergo comfortable dental treatments. Call us at (507) 387-2255 to schedule an appointment.