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Some patients might experience anxiety before the procedure. It’s completely normal to feel nervous. However, it can also affect the overall quality of the treatment. Therefore, you should do your best to alleviate dental anxiety and stay relaxed. Here are a few tips to stay calm and relaxed during dental procedures:

• Try to arrive 15 minutes early for your dental appointment

Arriving 15 minutes early to your dental appointment is a good step to take so you can have time to relax and calm your nerves before your treatment. If you arrive early for your dental appointment, you can take some time to check in, get familiar with your surroundings, and use the restroom before your procedure. You won’t feel rushed or stressed. If you arrive late, you might feel rushed, which can increase nervousness.

• Communicate with your dental team

During your dental visit, it’s important to communicate any information that could impact your treatment. For example, if you’ve had any recent dental work or you’ve noticed any symptoms like tooth sensitivity, let your dental team know. Your treatment can be adjusted to better suit your dental needs.

• Discuss your treatment

Discussing your treatment with your dental team can help you feel more at ease during your procedure. Often, nerves are a result of a fear of the unknown. By learning more about your procedure, you can better understand what is happening and feel more at ease. Your dentist can walk you through each step of the procedure, and you can ask questions along the way.

• Ask for sedation dentistry

If you struggle with anxiety, speak to your dentist about sedation options. A variety of sedation options are available to relax patients, including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation. Dental sedation uses prescription medication to relax the patient and ease anxiety. You can remain awake while using dental sedation, but you’ll feel like you’re falling asleep.

• Listen to music

Listening to music can be a great way to relax during dental work. Bring your favorite CDs or load some songs on your phone to jam out to the beat.

• Focus on breathing techniques

Patients who are nervous during their dental appointment typically focus too much on themselves. This often leads to shallow breathing that increases their anxiety. Dentists recommend focusing on breathing techniques, such as in through your nose and out through your mouth.

• Bring someone you trust along

It’s normal to be nervous in front of a dentist. Bring someone along who you trust. They can help you to calm down or remind you to relax.

To learn more about good oral care habits, schedule a consultation with Dr. Singh by calling Soos Creek Dental at (253) 631-8241 or visiting our office located at 17615 SE 272nd St, Covington, WA 98042.