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If you are scared of the dentist, you are not alone. At least 5% of people avoid the dentist because of fear, and many more than that experience anxiety about the dentist. While it is important to your health to see a dentist regularly, do not be embarrassed by your fear. Instead try to face it. Some people are embarrassed by how their teeth look; other people fear possible pain; others have a phobia of needles; others don't like the sound of a dental drill. Try to think about where your anxiety is coming from so that you can minimize it during your appointment. Many of these fears can be alleviated through the use of new technologies, good communication from your dentist, relaxation techniques, and alternative medications. Many dentists have training in how to treat patients with dental anxieties and fears. Don't hesitate to ask your dentist directly about whether he or she can handle fearful patients. It might take you a few tries to find a good fit, but you should call around or even find recommendations through friends or the internet. There will be a good dentist who can help you. Some ways that dentists can soothe an anxious patient include: Using water-based tools that minimize feelings of heat or vibration. Using oral or rub-on anesthetics before to provide pain relief before you receive a numbing shot. Having the option of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) available. Creating a spa-like environment, with relaxing music, aromatherapy, and a calm space. Providing noise-canceling headphones so that you do not have to hear the noise of the drill. Knowing relaxation and hypnosis techniques to help guide your breathing to keep you calm. Telling the patient what will happen so that the patient feels in control and safe. If you have a crippling anxiety of the dentist, you might want to look into the possibility of having your cavity filled while you are sedated. There are some extra risks from this option, and not every dentist uses sedative dentistry. However, there are many who will use sedatives to calm down a fearful patient. Be sure that you arrange for a friend or a taxi driver to take you home after the procedure. It is not safe to drive after waking up from sedation. While it might be tempting for you to use calming substances such as anti-anxiety medication or alcohol, you do not want to ingest anything that might interact poorly with dental anesthetics. Always talk to your dentist first about appropriate steps you can take to minimize your anxiety during a filling. Some people have dental fears because of bad experiences long ago. However, dentistry is much more sophisticated now. Anesthetics are more effective, drills are quieter, and there is a lot of new technology that can help a patient remain more comfortable. Try to keep an open mind about the dentist, and talk to your dentist about the tools that he or she uses. Keeping yourself distracted is a great way to ensure that you remain calm during your filling. There are a variety of techniques that you can use and discuss with your dentist. For example, you could: Prepare a soundtrack of your favorite relaxing music that you could listen to during the procedure. Memorize a poem or a mantra that you can recite mentally to keep yourself distracted. Use deep breathing techniques to minimize anxiety. It might be hard to do these with your mouth open, but some relaxing breathing techniques are still possible, such as breathing in through your nose for five seconds, holding for five seconds, and releasing for five seconds. Ask if you could have your filling done in a room with a television or screen with distracting or relaxing images. Having a friend or family member present can help keep you calm if you have trouble in the dentist's chair. Ask your dentist if she is comfortable with you having a loved one in the room with you to keep you grounded and to make sure that you are all right during the filling procedure.
Come to terms with your dental fears. Determine what the root cause of your dental fear might be. Find a dentist who is comfortable with anxious patients. Research sedative dentistry. Do not self-medicate. Tell yourself that dentistry is better now than it has ever been. Practice relaxation techniques to use during your appointment. Ask if you can have a friend with you.