Ways to Make Dentist Visits Less Stressful
The idea of visiting a dentist can be stressful to many of us, which in turn makes us less likely to make dental appointments as often as we should. When we put off those visits, problems compound, and we end up more worried than ever. This isn’t a cycle you want to get caught in. To minimize dental anxiety and get through your next appointment, Albuquerque’s Heflin Dentistry has put together these four tips:
1) Maintain Proper Dental Hygiene
If you maintain proper dental hygiene, you’ll have fewer reasons to stress over your dental visits. Whether you dread the poking and prodding, the discovery of serious problems, or the fear of being judged, you can alleviate all your worries with proper dental hygiene! Clean teeth and healthy gums tend to require less attention, which in return will minimize sensitivity and possible bleeding during the examination. You’ll also be far less likely to develop serious ailments, which can alleviate the stress of wondering “what if” when visiting the dentist.
2) Don’t Overthink It
There’s no real reason to constantly think about your dental appointment, except to stress yourself over it. Schedule your appointment, then put it out of your mind! The more you imagine, the more you’ll worry, and the worse your stress will get. Your imagination can easily be worse than any reality, given free rein. Don’t give it the opportunity. Allow yourself to try and think positively about your upcoming visit. If you arrive and are still feeling nervous, talk to your dentist and be open with them! Often times, they’ll be more than happy to help ease your fears by offering up jokes, advice, or thoroughly explaining their process.
3) Bring a Distraction
Whether it’s keeping you occupied in the waiting room or distracting you from a procedure, a good distraction goes a long way! Listening to music or an audio book with headphones can be a great way to keep yourself from thinking too much about what’s going on—and if you’re someone who finds the sounds of dental work distressing, that’s another bonus. Also, having a support system by your side might reduce anxiety by keeping you company and talking you through the situation.
4) Stay Informed or Ignorant – Whichever Feels Better to You
Some people find dental work less stressful when they have a clear understanding of exactly what the process entails. Others would rather leave it a mystery and enjoy a bit of ignorance. Make sure you understand which category you fall into, and communicate with your dentist or hygienist to learn as much or as little as you’d like before any dentist visit.
If you’d like to learn more about dental care, or you’re ready to schedule your next appointment, contact Heflin Family Dentistry today! We’ll be glad to help you with Albuquerque general dentistry, cosmetic services, and address any concerns you may have before your visit!
