Be Honest

Your dentist cannot ease your concerns unless you open up to them from the start. Whatever you do, never turn to prescription medications or alcohol to independently manage anxiety or relieve pain. Arriving for an appointment with foreign substances already altering your body’s natural chemistry will complicate any efforts by your dentist to accommodate you and could create a medical problem.

Talk through your personal anxiety and options before the procedure with your dentist. This will allow them to tailor the procedure to your needs.

Embrace Technology

Good science has brought modern dental care a long way from what it used to be. Depending on a given procedure’s nature, pain-management options during your visit may range from a nitrous oxide dose that wears off after a few minutes, to more potent sedation dentistry techniques.

As far as how the procedure is completed, Waterlase combines laser-energy and water-spray hardware to carry out such otherwise uncomfortable procedures as cavity preparation and root canals without creating unwanted vibration, pressure, or heat. A simple application of lidocaine cream to your gums guarantees you will barely feel the prick of a pre-filling needle.

The numbing drug Oraqix can be slid right beneath the gum line with a blunt-tipped instrument during more complex procedures. If you ask in advance, your dentist can have these medications and tools ready upon your arrival.

Take A “Spa” Day

Posh dental spas have ushered in a brand-new era of downright luxurious oral care. Let noise-canceling headphones mute the drill’s shrill shriek while you watch what you like on a flat-screen TV right in front of your chair.

Some offices go an extra mile and provide actual massage treatments. If you cannot find an establishment offering these opulent perks near you, dabbing some chamomile or lavender essential oils at your pulse points and temples can still soothe your jangled nerves before an appointment.

Ask your dentist if your procedure allows for a heated neck wrap, stress ball, or personal MP3 player packed with an upbeat playlist to be kept on hand. If all else fails, focusing on slow, deep breathing from your diaphragm can suppress natural fight-or-flight adrenaline reactions to stress with surprising effectiveness while in the chair.

Connect Your Body And Mind

For some, smothering fear of the dentist’s office comes down to understanding the connections between body and mind. Guided imagery exercises focus on imagining an especially soothing or pleasant environment in as much detail as possible until your mind becomes more absorbed in that experience than the dentist’s actions.

Along similar lines, progressive relaxation directs your concentration toward systematically relaxing every muscle in your body from your toes to the top of your head. In terms of more traditional processes, many patients have opened up to hypnosis, acupuncture, psychotherapy and support groups to better understand their anxious responses to the dental care experience. The good news is, all of these avenues have been proven to help troubled patients better understand their bodies and minds as singular, interconnected entities under their direct control.

Nothing will ever benefit a pain-free dental procedure more than a trustworthy dentist. Over the past decade, dentists worldwide have undergone revamped instruction in personable communication and helping patients deal with potentially chronic anxiety. Most importantly, the dental community has recognized that fear of the dentist’s chair takes on quite a few forms.

Some fear pain. Others are put off by certain smells and sounds. If you trust your dentist to really listen, handle your questions with honesty and process your apprehensions to truly understand various personal cues, you are already on the right track.

Looking for a 100% all-natural liquid tooth oil and mouth rinse? Check out OraMD Original Strength and OraMD Extra Strength. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources make sure to check out the Trusted Health Resources list. 

Written By:
Anica Oaks is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor related. You can connect with Anica on Twitter @AnicaOaks.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.