One very common type of anxiety that doesn’t often get a lot of attention is dental anxiety, or, put more simply, discomfort with visits to dental offices. Typically, people think of this problem as something that children suffer from on occasion and eventually grow out of, and often this is the case.
However, it is not at all uncommon for dental anxiety to stay with people well into adulthood, and the simple fact is that dental appointments can be rather unnerving and occasionally painful. So how can you get over your discomfort and anxiety with visiting the dentist? Here are a few tips that might help you out.
When Choosing A Dentist When you go about choosing a dentist, take your time and do careful research. People are naturally uncomfortable with things they are unfamiliar with, and while only time will help you to become familiar with your dentist on a personal level, thorough research when choosing a dentist may make you feel more in control.
Talk to people in your area, visit sites like TopDentists.com where you can search for dentists in your area, and take advantage of any consultations and customer feedback you may have access to. This way, you can control exactly what office you end up in.
Before Your First Appointment Arrange some time to meet and talk to your dentist face-to-face. This builds upon the idea expressed in the last tip, about easing anxiety by way of familiarity. Dentists have busy schedules, but if you can find a way to set up a face-to-face meeting or appointment before your first actual dental procedure, then you can allow yourself to take your time getting used to your dentist.
Particularly if you have some natural anxiety, it can be difficult to trust or understand someone if he’s using dentist tools on your teeth the first time you meet! Instead, meet on a personal level and discuss what kind of care you’re looking for. If you’re comfortable, you can even bring up your anxieties, and the dentist may be able to help you deal with them. Heading Into Procedures Again, do your research. If you go into a dental appointment or procedure without knowing what to expect, it will simply seem like a lot of metal instruments are poking around your mouth, and you’ll be counting the seconds until you can leave. However, if you do a bit of reading on whatever specific procedure you’re having, you will have a better understanding of what the dentist will need to do inside your mouth.
This can provide you with an advance explanation of all the metal tinkering, and can help you to be more comfortable with what’s going on during your appointment.