Tips for Relaxing for Your Dental Visit

Are you the type of person that is nervous about going to the dentist? It doesn't matter if you need a dental procedure performed or just having a basic cleaning and exam since everyone is different. Thankfully, there are some strategies that you can try that will make you more relaxed and help you get through your appointment.

Breathing Exercises

One basic thing that you can do to help with relaxation is to focus on your breathing with breathing exercises. This involves focusing on how you breathe by taking the time to slowly inhale and exhale through the nose rather than your mouth.  Some people prefer to count so that they inhale and exhale for the same amount of time, which takes their mind off of the dental procedure. There is not much you can do while the dentist is doing his job, but breathing exercises are always an option.

Use Headphones

Need to zone out for a bit while you are in the dentist's chair?  Don't be afraid to use headphones during the procedure. Your dentist will not be offended, and may even be glad that you are providing a solution that will make you more relaxed.  Try listening to a podcast where you can focus on the words that are being said and think about what you are listening to, or listening to music that will drown out any sounds caused by drills and nearby patients being worked on. Noise-canceling headphones may work best in this situation.

Request Dental Sedation

If you have really bad nerves about going to the dentist, know that you can always ask about dental sedation. There are various forms of dental sedation, some of which will work better for you than others.  For example, if you struggle with even getting to the dental office for your appointment, oral medication can work wonders at calming your nerves. Just be sure to have someone drive you to and from the appointment because these medications do not allow you to drive a vehicle while using them. 

For dental procedures, many dentists offer nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, as a way to calm you down while you're in the chair. The great thing about nitrous oxide is that the effects wear off very quickly after the gas is no longer administered. This makes it great for patients that are driving themselves to the dental office since there are no side effects that will impair driving.

Find a family dentist who is willing to work with you to help you overcome your anxiety.