Tips For Coping With Anxiety At The Dentist

When asked what they secretly fear most, a lot of adults will admit that they hate going to the dentist

. But for some people, it goes beyond annoyance, and seeing the dentist is actually a very real fear. The problem is that if you fear seeing the dentist, you will avoid making an appointment for years. This can lead to poor dental hygiene, which can have major consequences for your health.

The first step is to find a dentist who can help you. There are many dentists out there who tailor their practices to help those with severe dental anxiety. It's worth searching your local yellow pages or search engines like Yahoo or Yelp to see if you can find a dentist in your area that caters to anxious patients. It helps to already have someone in your corner that can help ease your anxiety.

It can also be a big help if you choose to schedule an appointment during a time when you aren't under a time constraint. Think about it--if you are trying to squeeze in your cleaning on your lunch hour, you will already feel stressed and panicky about finishing on time and making it back to work. Try scheduling your appointment during a time when you aren't busy such as on the weekend or during a free evening. In that way, you have plenty of time to rest and relax.

A lot of patients complain that the sound of the drill is the number one thing that provokes anxiety. Many patients list the sound of dentistry as the most anxiety-inducing part of the experience. Your dentist may provide you with a headset to listen to soothing music while the work is being done. Or if you wish, you can bring your own music and listen on your phone or your ipod.

However helpful these tips might be to some people, there are others whose anxiety may be so great they need additional help. Many people suffer from anxiety so severe that only sleep dentistry can help. This means you are given a mild sedative so you can sleep through the procedure. It's worth giving it some effort so that you can keep your smile healthy and bright.

by: Donn Hartman

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