The Dentist: Five Ways To Overcome Your Fears

Millions of Americans go to the dentist every day with not so much as a single apprehension. They get their teeth cleaned, they get cavities filled, and they get checkups without ever hesitating for a second. Unfortunately, there are many others who do not feel the same way. If you are someone with a great fear of going to your appointment, chances are you cannot relate at all to those who can breeze right in. The concept fills you with tension, which is not released until you are done with the appointment or—in far too many cases—cancel altogether. Here are five ways you can get over your fears.

Support
It often helps to make your first trip to a new dentist with someone you can rely on for moral support. There is strength and courage in numbers and if you have someone who can pick you up when your legs start to give out, it can be an extremely helpful situation. Find one of your friends or relatives who has no fear of dental appointments, but make sure they also understand what you’re going through. They can give you the solid foundation you need to go through with it.

Get in the Zone
The wait in the dentist’s office could be a long one, and you don’t want to spend that time dwelling on the dreaded “chair”. Do what you can to provide your own distractions and stop those butterflies from multiplying in your stomach. Bring your iPod or a good book and try your best to lose yourself in the entertainment. Relying on the waiting room TV is not a great idea, as it will be too easy to tune out in favor of your own thoughts.

Relaxation
We tend to think of relaxation as something that is passive, but it needs to be much more than that if you’re trying to release the stress of your appointment. Make a concerted effort to slow your breathing and let the tension slip out of your muscles. Push thoughts out of your mind and concentrate solely on the moment. You can bring these relaxation techniques with you into the chair, tuning in to your body instead of the scraping and clinking sounds that so many dental-phobes find stressful.

Sedation
Many patients have found solace in mild sedation, which more and more dentists are offering as part of their regular services. Ask around and see if you can’t find a good practice in your area that utilizes this kind of sedation for their patients.

Professional Help
If your fears are far too advanced for simple techniques such as those listed, you may need to go a step further. Nothing happens at the dentist to warrant this kind of fear. You may need to speak with a therapist and find out the root causes of your phobia and discover ways you can stomp it out of existence.