It’s perfectly normal to experience some form of anxiety and tension before visiting the dentist. Even those who don’t normally suffer from anxiety can feel nervous on the day of their dental treatment. If you’re worried or scared, there are some effective ways to calm your nerves before your visit. That’s exactly what we will cover below, along with some extra helpful tips to help you relax when you arrive.
Trust Your Dental Team
One of the best ways to deal with your anxiety is to put your trust in your dental team. Focus on their experience, reputation and how committed they are to helping you. Knowing that you can rely on your dentist and their team to keep you healthy and prevent any pain or discomfort will help you feel more comfortable and at ease before your appointment.
Listen to Music
Music has a profound relaxing effect on the body. Calming music, especially classical music and jazz, have the ability to lower your blood pressure, decrease stress hormones and slow down your heart rate.
Exercise That Morning
If you wake up feeling nervous, doing some form of exercise can help to reduce your anxiety levels for hours. Even a fast-paced walk can stimulate your endorphins that will improve your mood and stimulate anti-anxiety effects.
Try Anxiety Reducing Herbs
You could also try taking anxiety-reducing herbs to calm your nerves. Ashwagandha, Valerian Root and L-theanine are three anti-anxiety herbal supplements that work wonders for stress and tension. Just remember to consult with your dentist before taking any herbs to rule out any potential interferences with your treatment.
Arrive On Time
The longer you spend in the waiting room, the higher your anxiety becomes. To keep your nerves at bay, avoid arriving too early to the clinic. If you arrive on time and there’s a wait time, go for a short walk until your dentist is ready to distract yourself.
Distract Yourself While Waiting
If you happen to arrive early or the dentist is behind schedule, it’s important to distract yourself to avoid any negative thoughts. A few helpful ways to do this include catching up on emails, texting a friend, organizing the photos on your phone, or reading a magazine.
Use Meditation and Deep Breathing
Meditation and deep breathing can drastically help to calm you down. Just a few minutes of both can slow your heart rate and settle your mind.
If you’re nervous before your appointment, let your dentist know. Our team at Carlingwood Dental has a number of techniques to help you relax before and during your treatment. Contact us today!
