How to Overcome Your Fear of the Dentist

From paralysing dental phobia to simply feeling iffy about going to the next check-up, there’s no getting around that many of us don’t like going to the dentist. We’re in a bright, white room, rendered helpless in a reclined chair, with a mouthful of metal clamps, spit sucking devices, and gloved fingers poking about. It’s enough to leave the most fearless of us uneasy! But with regular check-ups being the number one factor in maintaining healthy teeth through the years, feeling uneasy simply isn’t enough to avoid going. That’s why Townsville Dentist has some tips on how to overcome your dentist fears.

Eliminate the sound of dental equipment

A big source of dental fear comes from the sound of the dental equipment, and for good reason. There’s sucking, drilling, pulling, scrapping, and polishing. Sometimes the sound of metal across enamel alone can be enough to trigger the fight or flight instinct – without it actually being painful. More and more doctors provide noise cancelling headphones to remove some of the associated sounds. So why not listen to soothing music (or perhaps an attention-grabbing podcast?). If yours don’t yet, maybe ask if you can bring your own? We know it’ll make a world of difference.

Try out some relaxation techniques

There’s a number of techniques you can try to see if they can help you refocus, relax, and calm down. Focus on your breathing, or something that works for you. We’re sure you’ll find one that works!

Take good care of your teeth

This goes without saying. If all else fails, the best thing you can do to minimise your dentist visits is to be your teeth’s best friend. Brush, floss, rinse, and avoid foods and drinks that are bad for your pearly whites. The better care you take of your teeth, the fewer problems you’ll face, and the less drilling and dentist visits your teeth will see.

Treat yourself for a visit well done

As children we got stickers and other little trinkets from the dentist following our visit. Knowing that there was a prize at the end made the visit a little more bearable. Why not stick to old tricks that work? Reward yourself post-dentist visit with a treat of your choosing (that you can justify within your budget). Perhaps a haircut, or a massage, or simply a trip to the park with your favourite book! Small rewards trigger the brain’s pleasure centre and can overtime help remove some of your uneasiness surrounding the dentist.

Has it been a while since you last saw your dentist? If you’re in Townsville, you’re always welcome at our clinic! We strive to help our patients feel at ease and comfortable!