How to Overcome Your Fear of the Dentist

It is reasonably normal to have some apprehension before your visit to the dentist. However, if your anxiety already affects your oral health and prevents you from going to your dentist, you probably have dental fear. Fear of the dentist is usually triggered by certain experiences of events, such as fear of pain, embarrassment and past experiences. Fortunately, there are ways to overcome these apprehensions. Learn more about them below.

Tip #1: Recognize Your Fears
For you to understand and address your feelings, you need to come into terms with your fear of visiting the dentist. Write down these fears so you can better talk about them. Doing so will help you recognize them, and help your dentist deal with it.

Tip #2: Choose the Right Dentist
A huge part in overcoming your dental fears is having the right dentist working with you. Look and ask recommendations on dentists who specialize in treating fearful patients. Visit prospective clinics, taking note of the staff, surroundings and atmosphere. If it is clean and you feel relaxed, it is a good sign that this clinic can help you with your anxiety.

Tip #3: Communicate Your Fears
A good relationship is built on communication. Before setting your appointment, be vocal with your apprehensions and fears. This will give your dentist a way to gauge your situation and create a custom plan that suits your needs. Dentists will usually devise signals if you feel uncomfortable and want to take a break.

Tip #4: Determine Ways to Reduce Fear
For patients with dental fear, aside from getting the procedure done, it is also important to create a good experience to reduce fear. See if you can start with milder treatments to give you time to ease into the chair and get comfortable. When you are ready, you can proceed with more advanced treatments.

Tip #5: Bring a Companion
Having a friend or family member go with you on an appointment offers an extra layer of assurance and support. Bring someone who does not fear the dentist. It also helps to schedule your appointment in the morning so you do not get a lot of time to dwell on your fears.

Tip #6: Ask About Getting Sedatives
Sedation keeps a patient relaxed and calm during treatment. Examples of sedatives include nitrous oxide, local anesthetic and IV or oral sedation. Talk with your dentist if it use is advisable, and which one will work best for you if it is.

Tip #7: Practice Relaxation Exercises
Relaxation techniques can help you stay calm during dental treatments. One way to relax is by controlled breathing. This involves taking a big breath and slowly letting it out. This helps slow the heartbeat and relax the muscles.

Tip #8: Use Distractions
Distractions can divert your attention during the treatment. Examples of ways to take your mind off it are fiddling with a stress ball, counting to yourself and listening to music. You can also watch funny videos so you can relax before the appointment.

Tip #9: Visit a Psychologist
If none of the tips above worked for you, you might want to consult a psychologist. These professionals specialize in addressing phobias, including fear of the dentist, and should help you find a solution to this problem.

Tip #10: Reward Yourself
When you overcome your fear of the dentist or make milestones like making it through one dental treatment, give yourself a reward. Get yourself something nice or do something fun like going on a weekend trip. This will help you relate dental visits to fun activities, and remove any fears and anxieties you associate it with.

If you come to think about it, a visit to the dentist is not as dreadful as you think, because it keeps your oral health in check. If you want to overcome your fear, take note of the ten tips above to make your appointments as relaxing and as comfortable as possible.