how to calm yourself down at the dentist

Coping with Dental Anxiety.

• Communicate your concerns to your dentist. Don’t hesitate to communicate your concerns to your dentist. They can take steps to make the process easier.
• Breathing exercises.
• Meditation and muscle relaxation.
• Guided imagery.
• Hypnosis.

Full Answer

How do dentists calm you down while you’re in the chair?

Apr 15, 2021 · Dental anxiety treatment and coping options Communicate your concerns to your dentist. Don’t hesitate to communicate your concerns to your dentist. They can take... Breathing exercises. Deep breathing exercises can relax your mind and help you feel calmer. These exercises can reduce... Meditation ...

How can I calm my mind before a dental appointment?

Oct 14, 2013 · This sure beats the alternative of feeling stressed out, anxious, and tense. Next time you are going to the dentist use these mindfulness skills to set a positive intention, to relax your mind and body with relaxation breathing and then to change the channel to something you find relaxing and stress free.

How do I Make my Dentist feel comfortable?

Teach yourself some deep breathing techniques and use them before you come to the surgery and during your appointment. (We will be putting up a blog outlining a recommended breathing technique in the near future.) Many patients report that an early morning appointment is best if they know anxiety will build up during the day.

How do dentists calm you down after a tooth extraction?

Jul 27, 2021 · Continue reading to discover all of the different ways to overcome anxiety at the dentist’s office! Listen to Music Contents [ hide] 1 Listen to Music 2 Find a Good Dentist 3 Talk to Your Dental Team 4 Give Yourself Time 5 Try Meditating 6 Learn About Upcoming Procedures 7 Make Small Goals 8 Discuss Medications or Sedation

How can I calm my nerves at the dentist?

How do I stop panicking at the dentist?

What can I take before going to the dentist to calm me?

Why am I so afraid of the dentist?

What is the fear of the dentist called?

Should I be scared of a tooth extraction?

How common is fear of dentist?

Can you still feel pain with laughing gas?

Is it normal to cry at dentist?

Can dentist give you something for anxiety?

Is going to the dentist scary?

Going to the dentist need not be a nerve-wracking affair. There are simple things you can do to calm down and banish dental fears and anxiety forever

For us as dentists here at The James Clinic, it’s astounding that so many people are fearful of what we do — and having it done to them. Dental anxiety is not just some random condition; it affects tens of millions of people around the world, including lots of folk in Ireland.

Calming Down Before Going to the Dentist

Before your dental appointment, be careful of what you eat and drink. Avoid caffeine, such as in tea and coffee, and don’t eat anything that’s high in sugar — you won’t want to be jittery when you’re in the dentist’s chair. Instead, focus on having something that’s high in protein, so you feel full and, therefore, more relaxed.

How to calm your mind during a dental exam?

Bring a friend. The support of a relative or friend might calm your mind . Ask your dentist if someone may accompany you in the exam room. Even if you can’t talk to this person during your appointment, their presence can help you feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed.

How to make your dentist feel happy?

Guided imagery. Another technique involves visualizing happy thoughts while sitting in the dentist chair. Go to your “happy place” and think about funny or positive past memories. Being nostalgic can help you feel happier, which can calm and relax your mind.

How to relieve anxiety at the dentist?

Distraction. Having a distraction in the dental office can also relieve anxiety. Talk with your dentist beforehand. See if you can watch TV or a movie during your appointment, or perhaps wear headphones and listen to music.

How to help anxiety in dental office?

Having a distraction in the dental office can also relieve anxiety. Talk with your dentist beforehand. See if you can watch TV or a movie during your appointment, or perhaps wear headphones and listen to music.

Can dental anxiety affect adults?

Takeaway. Dental anxiety can affect children and adults, but you can cope with this anxiety and should keep regular appointments. Speak with your dentist and discuss possible techniques to help you feel relaxed.

How to relax during dental appointment?

Breathing exercises. Deep breathing exercises can relax your mind and help you feel calmer. These exercises can reduce stress during dental appointments. Close your eyes and slowly inhale through your nose. Hold it for a few seconds, and then slowly exhale through your mouth. Repeat this several times.

Why is meditation important in dental office?

In this situation, meditation is a simple practice to reduce stress and promote calmness.

Can you be anxious about going to the dentist?

Going to the dentist can be so anxiety provoking for some people that they actually refuse to have even routine dental care. Recently I had an infected tooth extracted and a titanium post implanted as a base for a future tooth. Despite the fear and anxiety often associated with a dentist visit, I was able to relax and stay calm during ...

Who is Debra Burdick?

Debra Burdick, LCSW, BCN, also known as ‘The Brain Lady’, is an international expert on ADHD and Mindfulness. She is an award-winning, #1 best-selling author of: Mindfulness Skills Workbook, Mindfulness Skills for Kids and Teens, ADHD: Non-Medication Treatments and Skills for Children and Teens and Mindfulness for Teens with ADHD.

Listen to Music

One of the best ways to overcome anxiety at the dental office is to bring a set of headphones and listen to music.

Find a Good Dentist

If you want to start overcoming your dental anxiety and fears, you should start with finding a good dentist.

Talk to Your Dental Team

Part of overcoming health anxiety at the dentist is being honest with yourself and talking to your team.

Give Yourself Time

Rushing to appointments and schedule dental exams on high-stress days can worsen your anxiety.

Try Meditating

Meditation is one of the strongest methods of overcoming anxiety, no matter what the fear is stemming from.

Learn About Upcoming Procedures

By learning about your upcoming procedures you can better prepare yourself for dental care.

Make Small Goals

Creating small goals can help you overcome the big fears of the dentist’s office.

How to overcome dental anxiety?

Here are some tips to help overcome your dental fears and anxieties: 1 Identify your fear. Once you know exactly what you’re fearful about, you can start working towards a solution. 2 Choose a great dentist who listens and cares. Your fears will only increase if you’ve chosen a dentist who isn’t right for you. Consider a pediatric dentist for your children. 3 Take someone with you. Some patients find it comforting to take a friend along. 4 Ask for a perception of pain. You may find emotional relief from knowing what to expect with a treatment. Ask your dentist to pre-warn you about the sensations you might experience. For instance, will it be a tingle or feel like a mosquito bite? 5 Don’t be afraid to ask for sedation if you think it may help. 6 Learn about mindfulness, meditation and breathing techniques. They are great ways to reduce your anxiety. 7 Seek professional help. The best course of action is to deal with the root cause of your fear. Unless you do this, you will always fear trips to the dentist. Do you really want to continue having to psych yourself up for every visit?

What does a dentist do to help you?

So, relax. It’s their job to help people prevent dental problems. But it’s also part of their job to deal with damaged teeth and help you get them as healthy as they can be.

Why do people have anxiety about dentists?

Many people have anxiety about seeing their dentist – even if they’ve only every had good experiences. That’s because anxiety is usually a fear about a future event. You’re worried about something that might happen.

How to reduce anxiety?

Don’t be afraid to ask for sedation if you think it may help. Learn about mindfulness, meditation and breathing techniques. They are great ways to reduce your anxiety. Seek professional help. The best course of action is to deal with the root cause of your fear.

Can dental anxiety affect your life?

These fears and anx ieties may affect your quality of life if they’re left untreated. They may prevent you having important treatment or visiting the dentist at all. If your dental fears are affecting your quality of life, it’s time to get some help. NLP is an especially great therapy for fears and phobias.

What is natural dentistry?

You may want to choose a dentist who practices natural dentistry. Natural dentistry combines modern dental techniques with a use of natural materials. It can also involve traditional therapies. Some of these therapies may be less invasive. They may help you relax and become less sensitive to discomfort.

Do kids need to see the dentist?

Don’t fool yourself that because your children are young, they don’t need to see the dentist for a while. They do. Regular check-ups are important to prevent them getting tooth decay. Even ‘baby teeth’ can become decayed. The worst thing you can do is to pick a random dentist and hope for the best.

How to calm a patient?

Calming music is one of the easiest ways to calm a patient. It’s also one of the most beneficial. Healthcare professionals in many industries appreciate the benefits of music therapy and play music to calm people, thereby reducing the stress.

What to do when you lose your calm?

When you’re losing your calm during a dental visit, ask for your pain relief options. Your dentist will probably suggest options such as topical anesthetics to numb the affected area. Sedation dentistry is another option.

What is the worst part of sitting in a dentist chair?

Coloured Glasses. One of the worst parts of sitting in a dentist’s chair is the bright light. Dentists have to use high-powered lamps. Otherwise, they couldn’t see inside the darkest portions in the back of your mouth. Though it’s necessary, this bright light creates a different problem.

Can a dentist administer IV sedation?

In cases of extreme anxiety, or for extremely long and/or complex procedures, the dentist could also administer IV sedation. All these forms of pain and stress control are great methods to calm patients during a trying dentist’s visit. Sure, visiting the dentist’s office can be stressful, but it’s nice to know how hard dentists work ...

Is it stressful to go to the dentist?

Sure, visiting the dentist’s office can be stressful, but it’s nice to know how hard dentists work to lessen your stress. These are just a few of the countless ways dentists make your visit as enjoyable as possible. Post navigation.

Why do dentists wear colored glasses?

Dentists ask their patients to wear coloured glasses. The idea is to block out the glaring light from the lamp. The side benefit is that these glasses offer protection against clumsy hands and flying fluids. Dentists use tools to fix your teeth, and sometimes these tools or other things fall from their hands.

Does music help with stress?

Research suggests that music lowers your blood pressure and reduces your pulse/heartbeat.

Why is it important to take care of your teeth?

Know that lots of people are afraid of the dentist, but it’s important to get your teeth taken care of in order to maintain your overall health. Ignoring a cavity can lead to infections that can make you very sick, representing a threatening danger for your overall health.

Can a child go to the dentist?

Kids are not simply smaller versions of adults, so it’s important not to take a child to an adult dentist. Not only are pediatric dentists specially trained in kids’ oral health, they are more familiar with methods that help kids relax in the dentist’s chair.

Can you eat before a dental procedure?

Talk to your dentist in advance about whether or not you can eat before the procedure. If you’ve already made arrangements for a general anesthetic, or a sedative that makes you unconscious, you may not be able to eat after midnight the night before.

Can you get sick from a cavity?

Ignoring a cavity can lead to infections that can make you very sick, representing a threatening danger for your overall health. Have your dentist explain which kind of filling is best. Fillings are either composite, which are made of plastic and glass, or amalgam, which is made of silver and other metals.

What is filling made of?

Fillings are either composite, which are made of plastic and glass, or amalgam, which is made of silver and other metals . Amalgam fillings have been used for almost two hundred years, and while composite ones are newer, they’re becoming more and more advanced as time goes on.

Who is Tu Anh Vu?

This article was co-authored by Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a board certified dentist who runs her private practice, Tu's Dental, in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. This article has been viewed 24,547 times.