12 Mar How to Overcome Your Fear of Dentist

Chances are, visiting a dentist won’t be nearly as painful as you expect. Surveys of patients before and after the most dreaded procedures — such as a root canal or wisdom tooth extraction — have found that they anticipated much more discomfort than they actually experienced.

Still, even if your mind tells “you’ll be just fine”, your body may still fear that dentist’s chair. Here are a few tips that may help you overcome your fear of the dentist:

• Go to that first visit with someone you trust, such as a close relative who has no fear of dentists. Even it’s suggested that a friend or relative sit with the patient during treatment.

• Rushing to get to your appointment on time can cause you to get worked up. Don’t put unnecessary stress on the experience. Plan to arrive extra early to give yourself enough time to take it slow and have enough time to enjoy a few extra minutes in the lobby, talking to the front desk staff, asking questions, or just relaxing.

• See the dentist at a less busy time of day, such as the morning hours. There will be fewer people, but also fewer tools making noises that could trigger your anxiety. Also, the later you see your dentist, the more time your anxieties will build up in anticipation.

• Seek distraction while in the dentist’s chair. Listen to your own music on headphones; A new CD, not one you’ve heard a lot, so you’ll be a little more interested in it.

• Try relaxation techniques such as:

• Controlled breathing: Taking a big breath, holding it, and letting it out very slowly, like you are a leaky tire. This will slow your heartbeat and relax your muscles.
• Progressive muscle relaxation: which involves tensing and relaxing different muscle groups in turn.

• Review with your dentist which sedatives are available or appropriate. Options include local anesthetic, nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”), oral sedatives, and intravenous sedation. While over sedation can be dangerous, too many dentists are uncomfortable using any oral sedation.

• If you can’t bring yourself to go to any dentist, you might want to try seeing a psychologist first. The most tried and true approach to treating dental phobia (and other phobias) is direct therapeutic exposure. This therapy involves introducing the patient to feared items such as “a needle” in a gradual and controlled manner.

Ref: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/dont-fear-the-dentist