Do you want to learn how to reduce dental anxiety as a highly sensitive person? In this article, we share powerful tips to make your next dentist appointment less stressful.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
One of the most common fears when it comes to our health is the dentist. It could be because you haven’t visited the dentist in a while and are worried about the outcome, or it could be that you don’t like the smell or the sounds.
No matter what your issue is, it’s important to head to a dentist like north mesquite dental group, who can help you work through your anxiety.
In the meantime, here are some other ways that you can reduce dental anxiety and have a great relationship with your dentist.
Talk
We often mask our anxiety, and while dentists know that many people have dental anxiety – they can’t help if they don’t know for sure you are suffering.
If you know what it is about the dentist that causes you to worry, you must discuss this with your dental team.
Share bad experiences with them, talk about how you feel you can best manage the dental appointment, and work together.
The main focus of your dentist is to make sure that you have excellent dental health, and they will do what they can to make it happen.
Music
One of the most significant worry factors is if you need to have dental work done. Often we envision drills and noise instruments. The thought alone can leave many people in a cold sweat.
But there are things you can do to reduce what you hear and see.
Some dental offices have a TV or music playing, but you can bring your own headphones and put on some relaxing music if they don’t. Discuss this with your dentist in advance.
While this won’t completely take away the sound of the drills or tools, it will remove much of it. It allows the dentist to work quickly and efficiently.
Audiobooks are often one of the best things to bring with you, and they can distract us in the best way possible. You might be so focused on the voice; you miss much of the work being done.
Mindfulness
While it is a little difficult to practice mindfulness breathing with the dentist working on your teeth and gums, the other processes can help.
Taking deep breaths before you head into the office can help you start in a calmer way than usual.
While in the seat, focus on relaxing each of the muscles from your toes to your forehead repeatedly.
You will be focused on doing each part of the process, and slowly relaxing everything in order, you build a careful routine.
Don’t focus on the time
Setting a time expectation for the dentist can be one of the downfalls of the appointment. While there are usually time limits on appointments, some procedures take more time than others.
Try to avoid watching the clock or counting the seconds down in your mind. This can make even the shortest appointment feel longer.
Instead, just try to think, ‘it will take as long as it takes – and that is okay’.
Reducing dental anxiety is a slow process, but one that can greatly improve your dental experiences in the future.
There are even foods that can help you reduce your anxiety, interested? Read more here: The 10 Best Foods To Reduce Anxiety As An HSP
