According to a study, around 17% of Americans skip dental clinics due to anxiety.
Moreover, almost 36% of the people in the USA fear dental procedures and choose not to visit dental clinics.
These findings are quite concerning. Hence, discussing relaxation tips for dental anxiety becomes quite pertinent under the circumstances.
Are you one of those who take a step backward only after planning dental checkups and procedures? Then this blog is crafted for you, as it discusses some practical tips for managing your dental anxiety.
What Is Dental Anxiety?
Before starting the discussion on managing dental anxiety, it’s important to introduce the concept briefly.
Dental anxiety is the fear, stress, and anxiety associated with dental visits. Under this condition, you will fear, delay, and procrastinate visiting your dentist. Moreover, under stressful situations, you may experience the following:
- Loss of control.
- Sweating.
- Racing Heartbeat.
- Embarrassment.
- Fear of pain.
- Fear of dental equipment, especially the needles.
- Previous bad experience with your dentist.
Relaxing Techniques For Dental Anxiety
By now, you have understood the gravity of dental anxiety and how it troubles you and millions like you around the USA and globally. Here are a few relaxation tips to combat dental anxiety
1. Choose A Dentist Specialized In Anxiety Management
To combat dental anxiety before the procedure, it’s better to visit dentists offering dental relaxation in Houston, Texas, before carrying out the procedure. They offer a range of techniques like relaxing gas and sedation dentistry, which can make your visits pain-free and tension-free.
2. Deep Breathing Exercise
Deep breathing exercises are among the most effective tips to reduce the intensity of dental anxiety.
Yes, it is a quick and effective way to calm the nervous system. Practice slow, controlled, long breaths. You could also inhale, hold, and then exhale. It is also helpful in reducing tension and anxiety.
3. Communicating With The Holistic Dentist
While you are going to seek the dental procedure, you must talk to your dentist in detail. Raise your fears and concerns.
It helps the dental professional understand your specific problems. A good dentist will patiently listen to your worries and help you relieve your tension.
4. Guided Imagery
The technique involves visualising a peaceful and relaxing scene that helps shift your focus away from anxiety.
Imagine you are in a calm and comforting place amidst the forest and the beaches. It will help you transport your senses into the realm of tranquility. It can calm down your fears.
5. Anxiety Relieving Medication
Dentists use oral anxiety-relieving medications like temazepam to calm you down.
If you are too anxious about a particular dental procedure, these medications work wonders for you. But you must consume them only after discussing with your dentist.
6. Relative Analgesia (Happy Gas)
Happy gas or laughing gas is sometimes used to free patients of their fears and overanxiousness.
The dentist fits a mask on your face and then asks you to breathe the mixture of gas (oxygen and nitrous oxide). It quickly becomes effective within just a few minutes. You will feel relaxed but awake and talk to the dentist, shedding your worries.
In addition to these tips, dentists use conscious sedatives and general anesthesia to reduce the pain and anxiety associated with dental procedures.
These procedures are highly effective and help you achieve the desired results. Consult our holistic dentists equipped with anxiety management so that you can shed your fears.