- Preparing for your dental visit
- Dental relaxation techniques for before your appointment
- Easing your anxiety during your dental appointment
- Enjoy stress-free family dentistry with Yonge Eglinton Dental
Modern dentistry is designed to ensure all patients have a comfortable and stress-free experience. However, many people feel anxiety at the mere thought of visiting the dentist, which may get worse as soon as they arrive at the office for their appointment.
Whether the person is only a little nervous or has a severe phobia about dental visits, the ramifications on their oral health can be devastating. For example, if the anxiety is not addressed, the person risks avoiding dental visits, which can lead to serious problems with their teeth and gums down the road.
At Yonge Eglinton Dental, we do everything possible to ensure every patient has a great experience when visiting our office. If you feel any stress about getting professional dental care, the information below can help.
Preparing for your dental visit
Reducing anxiety about visiting the dentist starts long before you arrive at the dentist’s office.
The first step is to find a dental office that understands and accommodates patients with dental anxiety. Ask the dental team what steps they take to help anxious patients feel calm and confident. If it helps, also ask if you can have a support person with you during the examination for moral support.
Once you find a dental office that meets your needs, book your appointment for a time of day that works best for you. It is often ideal to make your appointment for first thing in the morning so you are not worrying about it all day. Also, schedule your visit at non-rushed times to help you remain calm.
Be sure to share your feelings of anxiety with the dental team while booking your visit. They can make a note in your file so everyone can be prepared to help you feel relaxed as soon as you arrive.
These strategies allow you to take control of your anxiety, giving you feelings of empowerment that can also help reduce your worry about dental visits.
Dental relaxation techniques for before your appointment
On the day of your appointment, or whenever you feel stressed about your upcoming visit, there are several ways you can relax and keep feelings of anxiety at bay.
Deep breathing exercises can help lower the heart rate and reduce stress. Simply inhale deeply through your nose for four counts, hold your breath for four counts, and then exhale slowly through your mouth for six counts. Many people use this technique before public speaking or doing other tasks that can induce stress, so it might work for dental anxiety as well.
Guided meditation is another way to help center you while you breathe deeply. If you are new to the practice, you can find many videos on YouTube that offer simple meditation techniques for beginners.
Aromatherapy might help you relax your mind. On the day of the appointment, try inhaling a calming scent, such as lavender essential oil.
You can also try listening to relaxing music, stretching deeply, or sharing your feelings with your support person or a close friend to help ease your concerns before your appointment.
Easing your anxiety during your dental appointment
As soon as you arrive for your appointment, remind the staff about any feelings of anxiety you are experiencing. Most dental professionals are trained in alleviating patient stress and will ask how they can help support you during your visit.
Bringing headphones to listen to calming music or podcasts during your appointment can help you relax while blocking out external noises that may trigger anxiety. If a television is mounted above the dental chair, keeping your eyes on the screen can help distract you.
You can bring comfort items from home, such as a stress ball or fidget toy, to help channel nervous energy and reduce stress levels.
Mindfulness techniques can also help. Try focusing on positive, happy memories or joyful activities, or picture a relaxing scene, such as a peaceful beach or a quiet forest.
Conversely, you can stay in the present moment by observing what you hear, feel, and see without judgment to help the sensations feel less overwhelming.
Ask the dental team if you can develop a non-verbal signal system to express discomfort if you cannot verbalize clearly during the procedure. For example, you can decide that raising your left hand means that you want to take a break. Creating a signal system will help you have control over the situation.
Sedation dentistry is another option. It is typically used as a last resort when the patient experiences extreme anxiety, has an overwhelming fear of needles, has a sensitive gag reflex, or other instances that make dental treatments difficult to tolerate. Your dentist will discuss with you whether sedation dentistry is appropriate for your situation and present any available options, such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or oral or IV sedation.
Once you have completed your appointment, take some time to feel proud that you took control of your anxiety and had the courage to overcome it. Celebrate this achievement by purchasing a special item or enjoying a favourite meal, and remind yourself that you will get through the next appointment with ease!
Yonge Eglinton Dental: Your trusted dental care partners
Our dental team is ready to help you have a comfortable dental experience when visiting our offices. We have developed many practical and empathetic approaches to help our patients feel confident during their appointments. We often have them looking forward to their next visit!
Stress from visiting the dentist should not be allowed to impact your beautiful smile. Let the dental experts at Yonge Eglinton Dental help your whole family enjoy healthy, beautiful teeth and gums that will last a lifetime!
Enjoy stress-free family dentistry with help from the dental experts at Yonge Eglinton Dental in Toronto
Talk to our dental health team when you are ready to optimize your oral health. We will work together to ensure your teeth and gums look great and are as strong and healthy as possible. Make an appointment for an office visit today by calling our office at 416-932-2222 or booking online. We look forward to seeing you!
