The fear of the dentist is not uncommon. So many people don't bother going to the dental office for one particular reason, and that's because they don't feel right whenever they see the dentist doing something inside their mouth. As a matter of fact, some people even experience panic attacks by simply having the thought of going to the dentist. Others meanwhile are at risk of passing out or throwing up when they see that horrible sight of the dental chair. Of course, you add to that the cost of having your dental appointments, procedures, and treatment.
Now if you are one of those millions of people who are simply terrified of the dentist, it doesn't mean you can do nothing about it. Well, this article is actually aimed at providing you the right and friendly tips in finally overcoming that fear, especially for "frightening" dental procedures.
Tip 1 - Learn how to manage your own pain.
In order to successfully do this, you have to accept the fact that there in fact is no need for you to feel anything ugly beyond or after the novocaine shot. If you feel like there's pain again, you can ask for more novocaine. Some people panic and what they do is ask for more and more per procedure. You don't have to do this either. A good technique is to raise a finger, giving your dentist the signal that you're feeling some pain. If you are in the hands of a particularly good dentist, then you will be taken care of by providing other options.
Tip 2 - Close your eyes and breathe.
One of the best techniques to learn how to overcome your fear of the dentist is to close your eyes so that you don't see the implements. You see, it's been proven that in many instances, seeing the needles, syringe, and other tools used in the treatments and procedures is the main source of fear. Breathe and relax. You'll be fine.
Tip 3 - Pay close attention to your body.
Keep in mind that your entire body is connected to your mouth and your mind. Pay attention to your body when you're subjected to a dental procedure. Take note how your body is clenched like a vice. You don't have to be like this. Focus on relaxing the muscles from down up. Loosen everything. Whenever you feel you are panicking again, start doing the muscle relaxation all over again.
Tip 4 - Look for distractions.
You can even go as far as looking for any form of distractions. For instance, wearing headphones and listening to soothing and relaxing music will help. There's no need to sabotage your favorite tracks though with dental recall. Just be sure you instruct the dentist to squeeze your hand whenever he or she needs your attention.
Tip 5 - Take care of yourself after.
As soon as the procedure is done and you're at home, you need to look for ways to calm yourself down. One good way to do this is ice your jaw and use warm saltwater to rinse your mouth gently. This has to be done especially when you are in pain. The purpose is to control or even prevent infection and swelling. If you prevent pain, swelling, and infection, you will no longer have the previous fear of the dentist.
Additional Resources:
https://dentistry-experts3.webnode.com/news/techniques-and-tools-used-in-restoring-oral-health/
https://natural-dentistry.webnode.com/news/top-tips-for-caring-for-your-teeth-the-natural-way/