It’s a problem that impacts thousands of Canadians each year. That fear and panic before you go to the dentist is natural. But it’s a problem that can be overcome to ensure you achieve optimal dental health in the long-term. Our specialists have many years’ experience dealing with dental care anxiety and within this blog, we’ll provide three tips to help you overcome your or, your loved ones fears and ensure exceptional oral health over the long-term.
1. Visit the Dentist Office with a Loved One
If it’s been a while since visiting the Dentist, sometimes having a loved one by your side can be really beneficial! This can help you to become more relaxed as you wait for your treatment to begin. You can develop personalized coping strategies alongside your loved one to ensure there’s always someone ready and able to calm you down should anxiety begin to get the best of you at the office. This strategy will then ensure you’re more focused and relaxed, when you visit the dentist by yourself in future.
2. Avoid Caffeine in the Hours before the Dentist
Caffeine is one of the leading causes of anxiety among the general Canadian population. If you’re already nervous about an upcoming dental appointment, drinking that cup of coffee or tea in the morning may make your day even more stressful. Simply avoid coffee during the morning and try to take relaxing caffeine-free drinks such as green tea. This will help ensure you’re in the right frame of mind to take control of your anxiety as your enter the dental office.
3. Speak with our Dental Team Before the Appointment.
A large majority of the cases of anxiety are related to the unknown. Anxiety is often our mind creating the worst-case scenarios in our head. By speaking with our Dental team ahead of your next appointment, and going over the treatments with them, you can prepare yourself mentally for the dental office experience. Not only will this help you remain calm in the days leading up to the appointment, it will also help ensure you avoid anxiety triggers at the office, as you’ll be prepared completely for a safe and effective treatment.
Consider the preceding guidelines next time you’re suffering from anxiety due to a future dental appointment. There’s no need to stress your mind and body over your dental needs. Speak to our team directly today to learn more on how to alleviate anxiety.