Deal With Your Dental Phobia So You Get The Dental Work You Need

Many people have a fear of going to the dentist. There are many things that can trigger it such as the sound of the dental drill, unique odors in the office, use of needles, and the anticipation of pain. Fear can keep you from getting regular checkups. Your fear might be so bad that you tolerate a toothache rather than go to the dentist. Avoiding the dentist can lead to tooth decay and gum disease that gets worse over time. Finding a way to deal with your fear and anxiety is the best solution. Here are some ideas that might help.

Try Nitrous Oxide Or Sedation

Your dentist might try nitrous oxide to relax you. If you have a fear of needles, using nitrous oxide gas before the injection might make it easier to endure. Nitrous oxide makes you feel giddy and happy, so it might help you relax enough to lower your anticipation of pain. Your dentist can turn it off and on during the office visit as you need it. Another option is to consider a form of sedation such as a pill that relaxes you before the procedure starts. Besides oral sedation, some dentists also offer IV sedation to help you relax.

See A Psychologist For Phobia Treatment

If you're facing a lot of dental work because you've avoided the dentist, your best option might be to have your phobia treated so you can make it through your dental visits without the need for sedatives. A psychologist uses various techniques to help you overcome your phobia whether it is to an odor or the sight of a needle. This might be done by exposing you to your fear in a controlled and safe way and gradually working up to longer exposures until your phobia goes away or is reduced.

Use Self-Treatments

Ask your dentist if you can listen to a recording during the treatment. Put in earbuds or wear noise-canceling headphones to block out the noise. Listen to a guided meditation or a stand up comic, so your mind is kept occupied during your visit. Learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing so you can release fear with each breath. Practice calming techniques so you can pull yourself back from panic when fear starts to build. 

Being able to distract your mind and reminding yourself you're in control of the situation may help. Ask if you can bring a loved one with you to sit by your side or watch you from across the room. You may feel safer knowing someone you love is protecting you and keeping you safe. starts to build. Being able to distract your mind and reminding yourself you're in control of the situation may help. Ask if you can bring a loved one with you to sit by your side or watch you from across the room. You may feel safer knowing someone you love is protecting you and keeping you safe.

Dental phobia is something you want to overcome if at all possible. By doing so, you'll be more likely to keep your dental visits. Also, when you anticipate pain, you're likely to overreact in a situation that really isn't painful at all. Eliminating your fear is the best option, but if that isn't possible, then controlling it is necessary, so you get the dental work you need to stay healthy.

For more information, contact a dentist like Kenneth Schweizer DDS PA.