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Many people feel anxious at the thought of a dental appointment. For some, this anxiousness happens every time they get in the dentist’s chair. Staying calm is especially difficult for someone who has dental anxiety or phobia.

Dental anxiety can be associated with the fear of drilling, needles, or the general dental office itself. If your fear hinders you from going to the dentist, you might be experiencing dental anxiety.

Fortunately, there are several sedatives that can help you relax during dental procedures. There are also many tactics you can use to help stay calm during a dental exam. Let’s take a closer look:

Concentrate on Something Else

Distracting yourself may be difficult when your dentist is performing an examination. However, this can help alleviate some of your anxiousness. You may listen to music, a podcast, or an audiobook to shift your focus somewhere else.

You could also use some mindfulness or relaxation techniques to focus on yourself rather than the dental check-up. For example:

Concentrate on your muscles and try to relax them.

Focus on specific parts of your body that are tense. Actively make them relax to release tension.

Count until you start releasing the tension on your whole body.

Try breathing exercises, such as box breathing: inhale for four counts, hold for four counts, and then exhale for four counts.

Talk to Your Dentist About Your Anxiety

Telling your dentist about your anxiety can help the dental team approach you with utmost care and consideration. Doing so will make a massive difference in your experience, because you won’t have to hide your fears and feelings.

Before the appointment, write down all your questions about the examination. Asking questions will clear out any misconceptions you have about the process. You can also ask the dentist to explain every step of the dental exam to you before performing it. After the appointment, discuss with your dentist how it went. If you experience any discomfort, inform the dental team immediately.

Ask For Sedation Dentistry Services

If all else fails, sedation dentistry is always an option. Feeling intense unease during a dental procedure may limit you from actively taking part in your examination. With sedation dentistry, your dentist will administer a drug to help you relax.

In minimal sedation, you are completely relaxed but awake during the appointment. Meanwhile, under stronger sedation, you are unconscious. If you have a low pain threshold, have extremely sensitive teeth, or can’t stay calm in the dentist’s chair, sedation dentistry is best for you.

Dental Office at Plantation, Florida

Being panic-stricken and anxious just by the idea of going to a dental clinic is not fun. In this case, sedation dentistry can ease your dental anxiety of certain procedures.

Here at the Dental Office of Dr. Ernie Soto, our compassionate dental team want to provide you with a positive experience. We offer professional diagnosis and treatment of oral health issues while keeping you as relaxed as possible.

If you are having trouble sleeping, feeling ill on the night before your dental exam, or feel that you want to cancel your appointment because of dental anxiety, we encourage you to discuss this issue with us. You may reach us at (954) 368-6264, or you may book an online appointment online.