Keep Your Teeth: Dental Chair Anxiety Can Be Eliminated
I don’t know anyone excited about getting dental work done. Many of us find any reason to put off our dental checkups and dental needs. For those whose palms sweat just thinking about the dentist, a severe toothache or dental emergency can be the catapulting event that lands them in the dentist’s chair. If you’ve been avoiding the dentist for years, or every visit is just a test, what can you do to reduce your dental fears?
Some of us remember watching TV comedy skits showing a very old and nearly blind dentist pulling out a tooth with a pair of pliers, while the patient mumbled “you got the wrong tooth.” Although these scenes were hilarious, some of us still have that crazy image implanted in our brains. The reality is that modern dentistry has made huge strides in technology and in adapting to the patient. Some of the things that reduce stress that patients can now find in many offices are:
* upbeat music (not elevator style music)
* television screen that allows you to watch television with your choice of programming
* Computerized rotating slides of scenic images such as water, mountains, etc.
* sunglasses, provided by the dentist, to protect your eyes from light from the procedure
* nitrous oxide/oxygen (check with your dentist; this is a mild sedative given to very anxious patients)
* detailed communication between doctor and patient about procedures and technique
The above items are fine and elegant once you’re sitting in the dentist’s chair. What can you personally do to reduce your anxiety before the appointment? Here are some things I have done to help me keep my dental appointments:
1. Pick an appointment (unless it’s an emergency) for that part of the day when you’re most relaxed. For me it is morning.
2. When making your appointment contact the dental office you are anxious about. Dentists want and need to know your level of anxiety. They will discuss the ways they deal with various levels of stress with their patients.
3. Get a good night’s rest. Not getting enough sleep can make you feel irritable. Being irritable will increase your anxiety level.
4. Listen to relaxing music on the way to the dentist. I put on a CD with spa-like tunes. it really helps
5. Don’t arrive too early at the dentist’s office. Too much time can result in you mentally brooding over fears that are already unfounded. Be punctual and don’t be late.
6. Spray natural flower essences, Bach Rescue Remedy Spray, in your mouth to reduce anxiety. Do this on the way to the dentist and just before the dentist begins your procedure. This was the number one reason I had my recent root canal procedure.
7. Use your own iPod headphones during the procedure (if allowed by the dentist).
8. Bring your own sunglasses if the dentist does not provide you with a pair.
9. Pray for courage and the ability to relax (if you are a spiritual person).
10. For clarity, ask the dentist what will be done and how long it will take; agree to use hand signals in case you need to alert the dentist to stop.
In combination, the tips above will help reduce your fear of the dentist. However, my favorite tip is the Bach Rescue Remedy Spray. It calmed me down enough to sit through an entire root canal procedure. For me, that was an achievement. You don’t need to cancel your next deep cleaning, that root canal you’ve been putting off, or that chipped tooth that needs fixing. So go ahead and make your next dentist appointment anxiety free and say goodbye to the tooth fairy forever.