Dental anxiety is increasingly common across the UK, with certain studies claiming that as many as 53% of the population are afraid of visiting the dentist. However, attending your annual dental check-up is not only vital for your oral health, but can also be essential for spotting any signs of any more serious or underlying health issues.
So, if you’re due a check-up soon, but the thought of a trip to the dentist is leaving you feeling anxious, Dr Smita Mehra, principal dentist at The Neem Tree Dental Practice in London, shares some guidance on how to overcome dental anxiety.
Deep breathing
With a visit to the dentist, your breathing will likely be affected. You will begin to take smaller, shallow breaths using your chest and elevating your shoulders – which can further exacerbate and prolong feelings of stress.
To combat this, when you sit down in the dentist’s chair, take a few minutes to sit comfortably and focus on your breathing. Begin gently breathing in and out through the nose, while keeping your upper chest and shoulders still. This allows you to breathe using your diaphragm, using your lungs to full capacity and helps you to control your nervous system.
Also, sitting upright for as long as possible, preferably with your feet on the ground (maybe on a normal chair) helps with feelings of being in control. The dentist should be able to do as much talking as possible with you in this position.
Visit the dentist ahead of your check-up or treatment
Overcoming your dental anxiety can begin by finding a dentist you feel comfortable with. When signing up for a new dentist, let them know that you have dental anxiety, and ask whether it would be possible to book an appointment with your dentist before any check-up or treatment.
This way, you can get comfortable with the environment, meet the dentist you will be seeing, and discuss what will happen at your upcoming appointment. This allows you to feel more prepared for your visit, and aware of what to expect.
Bring something to distract you
Anxiety at the dentist can often be triggered by the different unpleasant sounds that come from the equipment, from buzzing to drilling. If you find that the sounds at the dentist make you feel uncomfortable, try taking some headphones with you to listen to some music and cancel out any external sound.
If you’d feel more comfortable being oblivious to what treatment is happening at the dentist, you could also take a smartphone with you, to watch an episode of your favourite show, or sit and scroll social media.
Agree on a stop signal
Whether it’s a visit to the hygienist or you’re having a filling, some procedures can be more anxiety-inducing than others. To help you feel more in control of the situation, you can agree on a stop signal between you and your dentist. This can be as simple as raising your hand for them to stop, but it will make you feel more in control of the situation and ease any feelings of stress and worry.
Have something to look forward to after the dentist
If you have dental anxiety, you’re likely to associate a trip to the dentist with a negative and unnerving experience. Try to rewrite this narrative in your head by having something fun or exciting to look forward to after the dentist. This can be meeting a friend for lunch, a solo shopping trip, or something as simple as taking yourself for a coffee to relax afterwards.
Overall, going to the dentist shouldn’t be an anxiety-inducing experience, you’re in the best hands and should take comfort in knowing that dental care is more comfortable and safer than ever before for several reasons, including:
Comfortable procedures: Advanced dental technology means that procedures are quicker, more efficient, and less invasive than ever before. Modern tools and techniques have been designed to make dental visits more comfortable for patients.
Effective pain relief: If you are undergoing any treatment at the dentist, you are likely to be offered anaesthesia or other pain management options to minimise any discomfort and keep you feeling comfortable.
Expert care: Whether you’re just heading in for a check-up or you’re experiencing dental issues, at the dentist, you’re in the best hands. Dentists are skilled professionals who can tend to various dental needs and ensure your oral health is taken care of.
Preventive care: Attending regular check-ups will catch any issues early, preventing any problems from developing and requiring more invasive treatment. Instead, preventative measures can be taken at the dentist to manage your oral health.
