HOW TO OVERCOME YOUR FEAR OF THE DENTIST

Are you scared of the dentist? Don't worry, you're not alone. Here are some helpful guidelines to help you overcome your fear, or at least not let it keep you from visiting the dentist.

• YOUR FEARS ARE NORMAL

o   Fear of dentists is very common. Let’s face it…. : “Going to the dentist is not fun..”, “Dentists do poke and prod a sensitive area of your body”…

o   Often, an upsetting childhood dental experience has lasting effects into adulthood. Sometimes, people “inherit” fears from parents, whose experiences with dentist may have been traumatic. But, DENTISTS are BETTER trained today and have tools and techniques to MINIMIZE discomfort.

•  FIND A “GOOD” DENTIST FOR YOU

o   Finding a dentist who understands that you are anxious and will work with you will increase your comfort. Many dentists offer practices specifically targeted towards fearful people and offer a variety of solutions that may include sedation, hypnosis and lots of reassurance.

o   Talk to people whom you know about their dentists to find one who is sympathetic.

o   Schedule a visit to meet dentist without doing any dental work for evaluation purpose. Be prepared to pay for the dentist’s time. If the dentist finds this a strange request, then this is not the dentist for you.

• SEDATION IS AN OPTION

o   The dentist can provide a number of sedation options from giving you a pill to be taken an hour before to general anesthesia. Nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) is one option that can relax you. Avoid it, especially if you are pregnant. While Novocaine wil numb your mouth so you cannot feel pain. But, many people are fearful of the needle, so, the dentist can use a local anesthetic to numb the area before beginning the injection.

• YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING AT ONCE

o   Schedule an examination so you can meet the dentist. Then, come back for cleaning. A couple of successful, low stress experiences will help you cope.

• FOR EXTREME FEARS, YOU MAY NEED TO TURN TO A GOOD PSYCHOLOGIST OR COUNSELOR

o   You may have so much anxiety about the dentist until you can’t bring yourself to walk into the clinic. Phobias can be treated using techniques such as desensitization therapy, which is very effective.

• BRING SOMETHING OVER, LIKE A STRESS BALL AND KEEP IT IN YOUR HAND

o   Squeeze it hard, it will release your stress.

• TAKE A “FUN BOOK” TO THE DENTIST OR MAYBE EVEN LISTEN TO MUSIC OR WATCH THE TV WHILE WAITING

• BREATH SLOWLY, HOLD YOUR BREATH A BIT AND THEN SLOWLY EXHALE

o   If you feel you are having an anxiety attack, it helps to take a breath deeply from your stomach than from the chest to the stomach.

• BRING A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER WITH YOU

o   Make sure this person is comfortable with dentists and not the high-strung sort.

• ENVISION HOW YOU WOULD LIKE YOU APPOINTMENT TO GO AND MEDITATE ON A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE RATHER THAN THE “WHAT IF” SITUATION

o   Envision how wonderful it will be to have a beautiful, healthy smile.

• THINK POSITIVE

o   Remember..when you get through this, you will prove to yourself that you are a strong person, who takes care of your body.. This will be over soon.. and don’t forget to reward yourself!!

•  SET A DATE FOR YOURSELF AFTER THE APPOINMENT TO DO SOMETHING FUN OR REWARD YOURSELF

• IF YOU HAVE TO GET A FILLING, IT’S NOT THE END OF WORLD!

• SCHEDULE FOR ROUTINE 6 MONTHLY CHECK UP!

o   Schedule for a regular-6-months dental check up with your dentist. Don’t wait til you have dental pain. Regular check up will tone your fear down. 

(courtesy to wikihow.com.. edited for better understanding.. :) we hope this piece can help those dentophobics out there..!)