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Dental anxiety can affect people of all ages. Here are several coping mechanisms to help ease your fears and get you back in the dental chair.

Don’t hesitate to communicate your concerns to your dentist. They can take steps to make the process easier. They can explain each step from start to finish, so you know what to expect. They can also recommend techniques to help you relax and feel more comfortable at the appointment.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you understand the procedure, you may feel less anxiety.

Breathing exercises

 

 

Deep breathing exercises can relax your mind and help you feel calmer. These exercises can reduce stress during dental appointments.

Close your eyes and slowly inhale through your nose. Hold it for a few seconds, and then slowly exhale through your mouth. Repeat this several times.

Meditation and muscle relaxation

Anxiety can worsen while sitting in the waiting room or once you climb into the dental chair. In this situation, meditation is a simple practice to reduce stress and promote calmness. It involves a state of heightened awareness, focus, and muscle

 

 

relaxation that you can achieve anywhere — even at your dentist office. Once you’re seated, close your eyes or fix your eyes on an object, and then allow your body to completely relax. Pay attention to different parts of your body and make a conscious effort to release tension, relaxing your entire body starting with your head down to your feet. You can meditate before and during your appointment to remain calm and focused.

Guided imagery

Another technique involves visualizing happy thoughts while sitting in the dentist chair. Go to your “happy place” and think about funny or positive past memories. Being nostalgic can help you feel happier, which can calm and relax your mind.

Hypnosis

Hypnotherapy involves quieting the conscious mind and creating a state of calmness. This guided relaxation practice helps you achieve a trance state, at which point a hypnotherapist uses the power of suggestion to curb your anxiety. It’s important to note that a hypnotherapist cannot make you do anything that you yourself would not want to do.

Distraction

Having a distraction in the dental office can also relieve anxiety. Talk with your dentist beforehand. See if you can watch TV or a movie during your appointment, or perhaps wear headphones and listen to music.

Bring a friend

The support of a relative or friend might calm your mind. Ask your dentist if someone may accompany you in the exam room. Even if you can’t talk to this person during your appointment, their presence can help you feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed.

Analgesia

This is a type of medication used to relieve pain. You can find these drugs over-the-counter, but they’re also used during dental appointments to provide pain relief and reduce moderate anxiety.

Dentists typically use nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, which is a colorless and odorless gas you breathe in before or during your procedure. Check with your dental insurance provider to see if they offer coverage for nitrous oxide. Some plans may not cover this benefit.

Anxiety-relieving medication

For moderate anxiety, some dentists may prescribe a short-acting anti-anxiety medication to help lessen anxiety before an appointment. You’ll take the medication at least one hour before your visit.

Conscious sedation

An option for moderate to severe anxiety is conscious sedation. This involves taking an oral sedative a few hours before your dental appointment. This isn’t general anesthesia, so you won’t be asleep during the appointment. You’ll remain conscience and responsive, but in a very relaxed state.

General anesthesia

This involves being fully asleep or unconscious during a dental procedure, and it’s an option for severe dental anxiety.

Keep in mind that dental anesthesia is sometimes administered in a hospital setting by an anesthesiologist. Some dental offices can provide general anesthesia, but only when a dentist has received specialized training.

If you have dental insurance, check with your provider to see if they offer coverage for general anesthesia. Some plans may not cover this benefit.

Symptoms of dental anxiety

How do you know if you have dental anxiety? Some people experience some level of uneasiness before a dental appointment, yet the anxiety doesn’t stop them from keeping appointments.

People living with dental anxiety, on the other hand, can experience distressing symptoms before appointments. For example:

• heart palpitations

• panic attacks

• low blood pressure

• aggressive behavior

• extreme sweating

• crying

• feeling faint

How can dental anxiety affect your oral health?

If you’re anxious about sitting in a dentist’s chair, you might avoid appointments, or allow too much time between scheduled appointments. This can lead to oral health issues.

During regular dental appointments, a dentist can detect cavities and other oral health concerns early. Lack of professional cleanings raises the risk for gum disease and other issues like bleeding gums, loose teeth, and bad breath.

Causes of dental anxiety

Common causes of dental anxiety include:

• fear of pain

• previous traumatic dental experiences

• fear of loss of control

• history of generalized anxiety disorder

• trust issuesHow To Combat Dental Anxiety

• fear of needles and drilling

• uncomfortable with an invasion of personal space

• fear of anesthesia side effects

• fear of anesthesia not working

Takeaway

Dental anxiety can affect children and adults, but you can cope with this anxiety and should keep regular appointments. Speak with your dentist and discuss possible techniques to help you feel relaxed. Watching TV, bringing a friend, and even alternative therapies like hypnosis might calm your nerves, allowing you to get through appointments with less fear.

Dental Health: How to Keep Your Teeth Clean and Healthy

Smiling with confidence, speaking courageously, and connecting with others in social situations have a lot to do with the condition of your teeth and overall oral health. For several reasons, dental hygiene can fall by the wayside. Additionally, a lack of education exists around dental health–a good dentist in Mumbai can help. Until then, here's how to promote dental health.

Importance of Clean Teeth

Clean teeth are associated with overall better health, and the lack of clean teeth has led to a global health crisis–periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the tissues and bone which keeps the tooth attached to the bone and protected.

The International Journal of Health Science found that developed and developing countries are plagued by periodontal disease. With more than 20-50% of the global population being at risk of periodontal disease, it can cause serious effects due to its association with chronic maladies such as heart disease, diabetes, and unfavourable pregnancies. To the degree, this disease may produce as much as a 19% increase in risks for heart disease.

Those with Type 2 diabetes and periodontal disease have a 3.2 x greater risk of death. Not only can the disease increase untimely death, but teeth requiring this level of care have a host of out-of-pocket expenses.

Here are a few symptoms of periodontal disease:

• Swollen, bleeding, tender gums

• Bad breath or taste in the mouth that doesn't dissipate

• Loose teeth

• Sensitive teeth

• Bite changes

• Receding gums

If you are in Mumbai and suspect you have periodontal disease, there’s sure to be a Mumbai dentist that can help diagnose or come up with a treatment plan that’s right for you.

Begin a “dental doctor near me” Google search to acquire a quality Mumbai dentist for your preventative care.

Beware of Smoking and Poor Oral Hygiene

The International Journal of Health Sciences also found that some of the top reasons people suffer from periodontal disease are mostly preventable such as smoking and poor oral hygiene.

Smoking includes cigarettes (nicotine breaks down periodontal tissues), cigars, cannabis, and pipes. Those who smoke are 3 x more likely to have severe periodontal disease than those who don't, including tooth loss. Overall, smoking also changes the oral bacteria and pH.

While a lack of oral hygiene such as regular brushing, proper brushing motions, flossing, increased plaque, inflammation, and the likelihood of severe periodontal disease. If you believe you have some risk factors for periodontal disease, find out what a local dentist recommends before it's too late. A “dental doctor near me” search will pull up dentists you can evaluate via reviews and recommendations.

Routine Cleaning

Eventually, if not removed, plaque can decay teeth, cause tooth loss, tooth injuries, bad breath, or receding gums. It's impossible to remove all the plaque that will undoubtedly collect in your teeth even with strict twice-daily brushing and flossing after meals, although this will be primarily preventative. Home oral care can't target this substance fully, especially if you haven't had a dental visit in some time.