It may be hard to believe, but one in five people have a fear of the dentist. It has become such an issue, Dental Anxiety (DA) is now a documented fear. The problem is, in order for you to keep your dental health in order, you need to see the dentist. Thankfully, there are lots of ways you can begin to overcome your fears so you can have the healthiest smile possible.
Talk about it. One of the first steps you can do about your fears is to explain them to your dental professionals. They understand that they make patients anxious and would like to make your visit as relaxing as possible. They will be able to give you various sedative options that will not only help your visit go smoothly but will even make it relatively painless.
Distract yourself. Many fear the sounds of the instruments, and that is what makes them anxious. There is no rule against bringing something to distract you while your procedure is being done. Have some headphones to listen to your favorite tunes or an audiobook you’ve been waiting to hear.
Have a signal. Many patients have a certain pain tolerance that makes them believe the dental procedure is going to be unbearable, so they have a hand signal in order to let the dentist know they need a moment to relax. Stopping a moment so you can take a few deep breaths will work wonders.
Visiting the dentist is not as bad as you think. If you would like further information regarding dental anxiety, contact Tory Hill Dental at 207-929-6626 to schedule an appointment today. Or visit toryhilldental.com for additional information.