Overcoming Your Fear of the Dentist Office

Odontophobia or fear of the dentist is more common than some people can imagine. Going to the dentist is not something any one would choose to do. Being poked and stuck with your mouth wide open isn't exactly a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon, but modern Edmonton Dentists are trained to treat people with this fear and treat them with techniques designed to minimize pain and fear. Although the fear of those effected by odontophobia are real and serious, it is necessary to overcome these fears for the sake of your health.

The first step in overcoming your fear of the dentist is making an appointment with a dentist you trust and talking to the dentist about your problem. The dentist needs to know about your fear so that she can do everything she can to help you feel comfortable. Your dentist can explain every procedure before beginning work so that you are able to under stand everything and feel more comfortable and in control.

If you are extremely anxious, ask your dentist if they offer any medications like nitrous oxide or sedatives to help calm you. Even some over the counter anti-inflamatory medications can help you relax, but make sure to tell your dentist about any medication you have ingested before the visit. Some dentists may have some relaxation methods you can try before beginning the appointment like breath work and music. Also scheduling your appointment in the morning before the stress of the day has added up will help you be able to better control your stress.

Before the procedure, talk to your dentist about a hand signal or stop signal that she will look for while working on your mouth. Agree that she will stop each time she sees the agreed upon signal. Ask if it would be OK to bring a friend or family member to the appointment, so you feel the comfort of companionship.

If you visit the dentist regularly your visit time will be reduced dramatically.. Waiting too long between appointments will necessitate more work and longer visits making you less likely to return. Scheduling regular cleaning appointments ahead of time will give you less time to think about making the appointment and will identify preventable problems before they turn into serious ones. Make sure that your first appointment with your dentist is a short one for cleaning only so that you can go slow and get more acquainted with the office, staff and dentist before embarking on a more complicated procedure.