Self-Care Tips for Dental Anxiety

Looking for ways to keep calm during a visit to the dentist? Here are some tips that might relieve your apprehension:

• Find a dentist committed to helping you reduce your anxiety. Discuss your fears with your dentist and learn about the options for treating pain and anxiety.

• Have your dentist agree on a “stop” signal so you can take a time-out from the procedure if you need to.

• Avoid caffeinated beverages before your visit. They are likely to make you more jittery.

• Schedule your appointment for early in the day, and try to get a good night’s sleep beforehand.

• Bring a friend or family member for reassurance.

• Bring along a portable music player with headphones to use as a distraction before and during treatment.

• Practice relaxation exercises and guided imagery techniques.

• Get regular dental checkups. Frequent visits help in several ways: you build a good rapport with your dentist, you become familiar with the dental staff and office routines, and you enable your dentist to catch problems early, potentially avoiding more extensive procedures at a later date.

Source: Dental Health for Adults: A Guide to Protecting Your Teeth and Gums. Copyright © by Harvard University. All rights reserved.