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Dental anxiety: tips to help you stress less

Dental anxiety: tips to help you stress less Featured image

Do you ever feel a little nervous about having a dental check-up? Or maybe more than a little nervous? You’re not alone. According to the Harvard Medical School, Odontophobia is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition as a diagnosable phobia.

Dental anxiety can range from mild, where patients feel a bit nervous and jittery, to extreme, where they feel so anxious and apprehensive that they avoid going to the dentist at all.

For some, the sounds of drills and dental equipment can trigger an anxious response, and for others, a fear of needles can make us dread the dentist. Dental anxiety is as unique as the individual who experiences it.

A big part of dentistry is preventative care, to protect and preserve the teeth, enamel and gums, meaning you maintain your healthy, vibrant smile for life! Let’s talk about how to manage dental anxiety, so you don’t miss out on the care you deserve.

Techniques for managing dental anxiety

If you’re feeling worried about your next dental appointment, this is something many people experience too. The good news is, there are some strategies to help you feel calm and comfortable during your visit.

Breathwork

When you’re in the dentist’s chair, how about trying a breathing technique? Concentrating on taking long, slow, even breaths will help to calm your nervous system and soothe anxious emotions and sensations. You might like to use counting as well. Breathe in for 5 counts, hold for 5 counts and breathe out for 5 counts. Another calming technique is to count backwards from 10,000 in your head. Having something to focus on is a great way to calm the mind and nervous system.

Visualisation

You might also like to try a visualisation technique. Imagine you’re on a beach listening to the waves gently lapping, or that you’re at home relaxing, listening to the rain outside your window. It doesn’t matter what situation you visualise, as long as you cultivate a calm, peaceful mental image, and you focus your mind on imagining all the details of this relaxing place. Try to think about each of your senses, the way the sand might feel between your fingers, the taste of a refreshing cold drink, the smell of the salty air. This technique gives you something pleasant to concentrate on, which can lessen the symptoms of anxiety, such as the fight-flight-freeze response.

Sound therapy

For those who feel worried by the sounds of the drill, you might like to try wearing headphones during your treatment and listening to a guided meditation, or soothing music. Experiment with different options to find the one most calming for you.

How we manage dental anxiety at Lillybrook Dental

The most important step in easing your stress is to speak to your dentist, either at your appointment or before your appointment, so you walk into your appointment feeling confident and prepared. Having an open dialogue about how you’re feeling means your dentist can also tailor solutions to support you.

Our team have a kind and gentle manner with experience in dealing with anxious people. We help our patients feel more comfortable in a number of ways, and you can request particular music, or even a show or movie to watch during treatment to help calm any anxiety.

At Lillybrook Dental we also have a range of different sedation treatments for patients who are feeling worried about their treatment. Click here to learn more about our sedation options.

Contact Lillybrook Dental now to discuss your needs. We work with you to make each dental appointment as calm and empowering as possible, helping to care for your smile and overall wellbeing.

Disclaimer:

All information is general and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Lillybrook Dental can consult with you regarding your individual health needs.

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