Content

• Steps
• Advice

Having a dental exam can be a literal pain for many people. A large part of the population is even scared to go to the dentist. If you have dental phobia or even avoid going to the dentist regularly, you can overcome your fears by identifying them and building a positive experience with your dentist.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Understanding Fear

1. 

   Realize that it's okay to be afraid to have a dental check-up. There's no reason to be embarrassed by your fear of going to the dentist. Many people around the world are also experiencing this phobia. You should not allow it to prevent you from getting the proper oral care as this can seriously affect your health and ability to communicate.
   • Most guidelines recommend that you see your teeth twice a year to maintain good oral health.
   • Not going to the dentist regularly can cause tooth decay, tooth abscess, tooth breakage or loss, and bad breath. Some of these conditions can have an impact on your social life.

2. 

   
   
   Write down your specific fear. Many people may not want to admit that they have a dental phobia. In order to overcome your fear of going to the dentist, make a list of the causes of your anxiety.
   • You may not even be aware of your fear until you start thinking about it. You may find that taking care of your teeth in the dentist's office does not frighten you, but it is your dentist who scares you. This is an easy fear you can overcome simply by looking for a new approach.
   • Take this list to your dentist and discuss your fears with them. Your dentist can provide you with a reasonable explanation of the cause of your concern.

3. 

   
   
   Find out what causes your fear. Fear is often formed based on your experiences or memories. Identifying the source of the dental phobia you are experiencing can help you proactively take steps to overcome your fear of going to the dentist.
   • Thinking about specific experiences that can contribute to your dentist's fear, and using positive experiences to combat them can help you form the right mindset to begin to overcome your phobia. For example, if you have a painful cavity or root canal, think about a situation where your dentist complimented you about good oral hygiene or about treating the problem. Completely painless dental cleaning such as tooth cleaning you have been through to make up for your fears.
   • If you cannot pinpoint the source of your fear, it could be rooted in memories or social distress, such as a dental horror story from a friend or relative. you told.
   • Thinking slowly about the source of your dental phobia will help you overcome your fear. Maybe the only thing you need to do to overcome your fear is acknowledge it.

4. 

   
   
   Be aware that the dental service has greatly improved. Before you take the specific steps of going to the dentist's office to help yourself overcome your fears, it's worth remembering that in recent years, dental services have improved dramatically. Ancient drills and massive anesthesia needles no longer exist. Understanding improvements in dentistry can help reduce your fear.
   • Today, there are many remedies for dental problems such as cavities. Existing drills have a button to stop working when you want, or you can even opt for laser treatments to remove the infected area.
   • Many dentists have also tried to improve their clinics in a way that makes them less like they are in the chamber by using softer colors and removing the distinctive scent associated with the dental examination.
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Part 2 of 3: Finding a Dentist

1. 

   Find the right dentist for you. Your dentist can create a shared atmosphere for your entire visit. If they don't form warmth and welcome and tend to be cold, your fears will worsen. Finding the right doctor will significantly help you overcome your fear of dentists.
   • The best way to find a good doctor is through referrals from friends and family. The other person will not recommend a dentist that they themselves are uncomfortable with.
   • You can also check online reviews for dentists or in newspapers or magazines.

2. 

   Schedule a discussion with your potential dentist. Make an appointment with a potential dentist so you can find the right one. Meeting and discussing your health and fears with them will help you become aware of how comfortable you are with a particular person who can handle your dental concerns. .
   • Ask the candidate questions and discuss your fears. Having a specific list of your fears on hand can help you make sure you don't miss anything.
   • Be sure to make sure the dentist takes you seriously as well as your fear. Don't accept anyone who will ignore you, as this can increase your fear and can also be a sign that the person is not gentle or sympathetic.

3. 

   Setting up a dental service step-by-step plan is simple. Once you have found a dentist that makes you feel comfortable, you can plan more visits. Start with simple dental care such as cleaning your teeth and move slowly to more important services such as root canal or crown coverings, if available.
   • This method will help you build a trusting relationship with your dentist.

4. 

   If you feel uncomfortable with anything, you can ask your dentist to stop the treatment to help you calm down.
   • The more often you go to the dentist, the more positive you'll experience, and you will increase your ability to maintain your oral health and overcome your dental obsession.
   • Make an appointment with your dentist at a time when you won't have to wait long. Being the first patient in the morning is a pretty good tactic.
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Part 3 of 3: Managing Fear in Dental Service Delivery

1. 

   Communicate with your dentist. The cornerstone of any good doctor-patient relationship comes through effective communication. Talking with your dentist before, during, and after the dental procedure can help reduce your fears.
   • Before getting dental services, talk to your dentist about any fears or concerns you are having. You should also ask your dentist to explain to you the dental treatment you choose before starting.
   • Ask your dentist to let you know when you are undergoing treatment. Remember that you have the right to know what's going on.

2. 

   Scribble about dental methods that scare you. Overcoming a fear can cause anyone to lose confidence and avoid a situation. Using a scripted behavioral strategy before your appointment can help you get involved in this no-frightening situation and minimize your dentist's fears.
   • Scripting is a technique in which you conceptualize a coping plan or “scenario” for a particular situation and follow it. For example, if you feel scared when you are about to have a dental cleaning service, you can take notes and develop a plan that can give you the same authority to make the same commands during your visit. Think about answers to any questions or respond to any unexpected situations that may arise during an interaction.

3. 

   Think about dental services in simple words. If you feel dreadful about going to the dentist or getting to a particular dental service, you can think about it in simple words. These are behavioral techniques that can help you shape your thoughts and feelings about situations by making them appear just common and trivial situations.
   • If you are afraid of having to clean your teeth, you can reshape your thoughts as if "this is as simple as brushing your teeth".
   • Dealing with each small and manageable problem will help you overcome any fears.

4. 

   Use relaxation techniques. Relaxation will help you feel a more positive experience at the dentist's and minimize your fear. From breathing exercises to meditation, there are many relaxation techniques you can use to manage your dental phobia.
   • Many dentists will recommend using nitrous oxide, a sedative, or an anti-anxiety medicine such as alprazolam to help you relax during your treatment.
   • Some dentists will prescribe anti-anxiety medication for you before your appointment if you experience severe nervous agitation.
   • If you are taking any other anti-anxiety medicine that is not prescribed by your dentist, you should make sure you let your dentist know about them before you have the dental service so you can be sure. that there will not be any dangerous drug interactions.
   • Keep in mind that taking these drugs while using the dental health service will be expensive, and your dental insurance may not cover them.
   • Breathing exercises will help you relax. You can breathe rhythmically for 4 seconds and exhale for 4 seconds. If this helps you, think about the word "relax" as you inhale and "relax" as you exhale to help remove as many fears from your mind as possible.
   • If necessary, double down on your relaxation techniques.

5. 

   Distract yourself with different types of media. You can use different types of media to distract yourself during the dental exam. Listening to music or watching TV programs that your dentist has pre-installed can help you relax and reduce your fears.
   • Today, many dentists have ready MP3 players or TVs and tablets to distract their patients.
   • If your dentist doesn't have these on hand, you might ask if you can listen to soothing music or read a book during your appointment.
   • You can also use the "stress ball" to help distract yourself and relax during the visit.
   • You can also listen to soothing music or watch a funny video before your dental appointment so you can relax and link the dentist's image with calmness, which will help you overcome your fear.

6. 

   Have a dental visit with a friend or relative. You can bring a friend or relative to your dental appointment as they can distract you and calm you down.
   • If you feel extreme anxiety, you can ask your doctor if your friends can accompany you into the operating room. Knowing that someone you trust is in the room with you can help you relax.

7. 

   Prevent serious dental problems by seeing your teeth more often. Many people are afraid to go to the dentist because of the pain and complexity that treatments often bring them such as root canal. By cleaning your teeth and examining your teeth regularly, you are not only helping yourself overcome your fear of the dentist, but also preventing the formation of more serious oral problems.
   • Remember to take care of your oral health every day to minimize the risk of having to go through a complicated dental procedure. Brushing at least twice a day and flossing can help prevent problems from arising.
   • The more active dental exams you have, the faster you will overcome your fear of dentists.

8. 

   Reward yourself after an active dental visit. After your visit, reward yourself with something you want or by doing something fun. This will help you link the dental exam with rewards instead of fear.
   • For example, you might buy yourself a small gift such as a shirt or a pair of shoes because you dare to go to the dentist.
   • You can do something interesting, like going to an amusement park or water park in your area.
   • You may want to avoid rewarding yourself with sweets because they can cause cavities and make you need to see your teeth more often.
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Advice

• Maintain a positive attitude. Remember that you go to the dentist to keep your teeth clean, not to scare yourself.
• When you go to the dental exam, be sure to stay calm and relaxed. Let the dentist do what they need to do. Because ultimately, the goal here is to keep your teeth clean and free of cavities. The dentist does not intend to scare you.