Do you feel relatively calm before your dental appointment, or are you a little nervous about a visit to the dental office? Do you find yourself worrying about it days or weeks before the appointment? Are you someone who is terrified about going to the dentist or about a procedure, and worries about it all the time? Do even those things that are supposed to make visits more comfortable just seem to increase the apprehension or feeling of anxiety and being out of control, such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or local anesthesia (injections, needles, shots)? Whichever end of this spectrum you might be on, it may be helpful to know that you are not alone.
There are very few, if any, individuals who like to visit the dentist. The thought of someone probing around inside of our mouths can send anxiety levels through the roof. Add needles, numbness, and blood to the list if you are getting a dental procedure performed. Although you cannot take away all anxiety when visiting the dentist, there are a lot of things you can do in order to prepare for your next visit. From finding the perfect dental office to fit your dental needs to bringing a good book, here are some tips on how to make your next visit to the dentist more relaxing:
1. Find the best dentist for you:
Take some time to search for the right dentist. Ask friends or family for recommendations, and see who others have had good experiences with. Make sure they are qualified and have a good rapport. Looking forward to seeing the friendly staff at your dental office is at least a good start!
2. Considering finding an all in one dental office:
When you decide to go with an all-inclusive dental office, you don’t have the anxiety of visiting different clinics around town with different staff. You can get to know the staff at one location, thus making the overall experience much less stressful.
3. Listen to music or bring something to read:
Sitting in a waiting room until it’s time for you to go back to the dental chair for your appointment can be stressful and your mind generally starts to race. Music allows the mind to relax and feel focused as well as reading. So, bring your headphones and a good book to help ease your mind.
4. Research:
Research your procedure, dentist, and facility, etc. Knowing what to expect at your dental visit can be reassuring. This way, you aren’t bombarded with a needle to the face, wondering what is going on.
Going to the dentist may not be thought of as a fun experience, but it’s very important for our teeth and overall health. Call Dedicated Dental at (702) 566-5509 to request an appointment.
