Are you nervous about going to the dentist? Many adults have a fear of the dentist and have a hard time going to regular appointments for this reason. Here are some tips to curb your anxiety and make going to the dentist less scary.
Make an Appointment at a less busy time of the day
Scheduling your appointment for a time of day when fewer people are likely to be there, like early in the morning, can help many people feel calmer. Having fewer other patients there can reduce feelings of overwhelm, and if you find that hearing dental tools being used on nearby patients triggers your fear, scheduling an appointment at a slower time of day will spare you from that. When scheduling your dental appointment, ask whether there are specific times of day that are not busy and book your appointment accordingly.
Be upfront about your fear
Many people are embarrassed about their fear of the dentist and don’t disclose it to their dental care providers. It’s important to realize that dentists and dental hygienists are very used to people feeling nervous about their appointments–there is nothing unusual or shameful about feeling that way. If you tell your dentist that you have a hard time with dental appointments beforehand, they’ll be able to take extra care and be attentive to your fear, with regular check-ins and clear communication during the appointment.
Come up with a hand signal
Once you’ve told your dentist about your anxiety, ask if you can come up with a hand signal together so that you can communicate while the dentist is working on your mouth. Having a hand signal to indicate that you are in pain or just need your dentist to stop and give you a break for a moment will make you feel more in control of the situation and help to bring down your anxiety level.
The more you work on your fear of the dentist, the easier it becomes to overcome. Here at Smile+, we always put our patients’ well being first and will work with you to help you feel as comfortable and calm as possible.
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