Are you afraid of the dentist?

If so, you are not alone.  Dentist office fear is common.

Let’s face it, there are plenty of scary tools and procedures that take place at a dentist’s office.

Let’s take a look at the most common dental fears and how to beat them.

The biggest fear people experience when needing dental care is fear of the dentist themselves.

In actuality, the dentist does not enjoy inflicting pain.

Even if you have had a bad experience with a dentist in the past, try to put that one experience behind you.

Remember, most dentists are there to help – not hurt. Most people become a dentist to help others.  This is an important fact to keep in mind.

Of course, a big concern for many people facing a dental visit is the fear of pain associated with their procedure.

If this is one of your fears, you’ve probably had a painful dental experience in the past – probably as a child.

A great way to overcome this problem is to simply explain your concerns with your dentist. There are plenty of pain eliminating options available these days.  Let your dentist help you find the right solution for you.

The drill is another cause of anxiety for dental patients.  For many patients, the sound of the drill alone is more than enough to cause worry.

Try these 2 techniques to overcome this phobia:

First, get familiar with the tools (instruments) your dentist will use.

Ask your dentist for permission to hold the drill.  Hold the drill while it’s running and you’ll see there’s nothing to fear.

Second, listen to music during your treatment to reduce the anxiety of hearing the drill.

Another great idea is to watch a movie during your dental procedure. These days, many dental offices have the ability to play movies during your treatment.

Choking is another common fear many dental patients struggle with.

Having your mouth filled with dental instruments can make you feel as though you can’t breathe.

You may also experience anxiety from excess saliva that makes it difficult to swallow.

To overcome this problem, ask your dental technician to allow you to control the vacuum-like tool used to clean excess saliva from your mouth.  This will allow you to control the suction, giving you added comfort.

Of course, anxiety associated with a dental visit is common.

Discuss these tips and ideas with your dentists and the two of you can work together to make your dental experience more comfortable and enjoyable.

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