Dental fear is a common condition that affects many people. Dental phobia prevents people from receiving necessary dental care. This impacts a person's oral health in a negative way. Listed below are some tips to ease dental fear.

Discuss your fears with the dentist

When going to the dentist, it is important to talk about your fears and concerns with your dentist. The dentist might have various techniques or tools to help you ease your fear of the dentist's office. Listen to what the dentist recommends and discuss other ways to help ease your fear. Together, you can find what works best for you. I

Agree on a signal

In some cases, patients agree upon a signal that lets their dentist know if they are nervous during a procedure. These signals let the dentist know that you need a break or some reassurance from him or her. Sharing your thoughts and fears with the dentist will clarify things for you and also reduce your anxiety. 

Take a friend or family member with you for emotional support

Going alone to a dentist appointment can be scary and uncomfortable. Having someone by your side will make you feel more comfortable and calm during the procedure. Ask your friend or family member to accompany you to the dental office and help you relax during your appointment. Talk to them about your fears and concerns about your upcoming visit to the dental clinic to get a better understanding of the treatment process. The other person can help distract you from the procedure by getting involved in a conversation or by reading a book while the dentist is working on your teeth. They will even be helpful in giving you moral support when your dentist recommends tooth extraction or some other serious treatment.

Bring distractions to occupy your mind during procedures.

If the thought of sitting in a dentist's chair tends to trigger anxiety in you or turning your face away from the mirror is your favorite pastime, then here are a couple of ways to distract yourself during your dental treatments. Make sure to bring a book to read or a music player to listen to your favorite music while your dentist works his magic on your teeth. You can also use your phone to go on social media or even watch videos on YouTube to pass your time. You can also ask your dentist for some headphones to keep your focus on your playlist and not on the procedure. However, make sure not to wear the headphones too loudly, as this might prevent you from hearing important instructions your dentist might communicate to you. 

Consider sedation dentistry.

f you are really uncomfortable and can't distract yourself enough with the above options, you can consider sedation dentistry to help relax you during the treatment. Sedation dentistry is a technique used by dentists to help patients undergo dental procedures without experiencing any pain. The dentist may use nitrous oxide or IV sedation to perform the treatments.

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