Looking after your teeth is important. After all, you only get one set to last your whole adult life, and replacing teeth can get very expensive, very quickly.
However, it’s no secret that attending the dentist can be a real source of anxiety and worry for many people, so much so that they stop attending altogether. Having a stranger poke around in your mouth, sometimes painful procedures, and the feeling of being judged for your teeth are all factors that can make a visit to the dentist an unpleasant and nerve-wracking experience.
If the idea of visiting the dentist fills you with dread, you aren’t alone. These days, more and more dental practices are aware of the stress that dentist visits can cause people and are taking steps to help reduce those nerves. For parents, introducing your child to a dentist for kids early on, and in a calm, friendly environment – can make dental visits fun and stress-free for little ones.
So, if you haven’t been to the dentist in a while or have got a visit coming up that you’re getting nervous about, here’s a walkthrough of what will happen to set your mind at ease.
Before Your Visit
Prepare for your appointment by taking as good care as possible of your teeth. Often, anxiety arises from the anticipation of things we can’t control. So, take that control back by taking good care of your teeth. Brush them two to three times a day, floss once daily, and use a mouthwash for an extra level of cleanliness if you wish.
You could also take some time to pin down exactly what makes you nervous about the dentist. Is it the sounds you might hear in the dentist’s office? If so, try taking some headphones with you on your visit to listen to music and block out any sounds. Of course, you’ll need to be able to hear when your name is called, so be sure your music isn’t too loud.
If it’s just general nerves, you could try some breathing exercises to calm your anxiety. Box breathing – breathing in for four counts, holding for four counts, breathing out for four counts, holding for four counts – is a great way to steady your breathing and force you to relax.
If you’re worried about it hurting, these days, it’s possible for a visit to the dentist to be entirely painless. Our Townsville dentists are specially trained to avoid causing patients any unnecessary discomfort by being as gentle as possible. Should you need treatment beyond a normal checkup, they can use a numbing gel before administering injections, so you shouldn’t feel a thing.
During Your Visit
If you’re feeling nervous about your visit, communicate this to your dentist before they start their checkup. Remember that your dentist sees hundreds of patients and will be very used to nerves. So, don’t be afraid to tell them you’re scared; they want you to keep coming, and will work with you to make your visit as comfortable as possible.
After Your Visit
The first thing to do after your visit is to give yourself a big pat on the back. You did it! You overcame your nerves and did something you were scared of. As a result, your teeth will be healthier, and your dentist will have seen and dealt with any potential issues before they could get worse.
So, take some time to do something fun. This could be a short walk to clear your head, or watching something light-hearted on TV. You could even treat yourself to a little treat (just be sure to clean your teeth properly afterwards!)If you’re nervous about the dentist and need some non-judgmental advice, just get in touch with us today.
