Gregor
27-05-08, 13:15
Hi,
In light of my recent dental experience (and many forthcoming appointments!), I thought i would share with everyone things which make me more comfortable during these sessions. I know a lot of people have problems going to the dentist - both anxiety sufferers and dental anxiety, so this is a progressive list, which i will update as i think of new ideas. Also, please feel free to add your own coping methods here.
1. Most important!! Find a dentist who you are comfortable with and who fully understands your problems.
2. Explain, in detail if you have to, your problems with anxiety and make sure he understands before he/she starts any work.
3. You don't have to have the treatment done on the first trip, so go and get a feel for the place. Sit in the chair, talk to the dentist, let him/her just look at your teeth. Make an appointment to come again in you need to. Never be pressured into getting it all done there and then.
4. If having an injection, you can ask for one which is adrenalin-free. Apparently, adrenalin can induce your anxiety, so ask your dentist about that.
5. After having the injection, don't proceed with the treatment until you are convinced your mouth is numb and are comfortable to continue.
6. Make it clear to your dentist if you would like to stop at any point during the treatment to take a break.
7. If you have anyone who can accompany you into the treatment room - a friend, spouse, family, etc - that could help. I have my wife with me, holding my hand throughout and i think on that which helps a lot.
8. I am learning to recognise when i am tensing my body during the treatment. When i feel this happening, i consciously relax myself. The tenser you are, the more anxiety you will likely feel.
9. When rising from the chair, do so slowly and easily. I find this in case i induce an unnecessary head-rush or anything, which could cause panic. Maybe a point-less thing, but, for me, i feel better to do this - not taking any chances.
Well, that's my list for now. If you can add anything to this list, please do so. I have more dental appointments coming up, so if i notice anything else that i do, i will add here too.
Gregor
In light of my recent dental experience (and many forthcoming appointments!), I thought i would share with everyone things which make me more comfortable during these sessions. I know a lot of people have problems going to the dentist - both anxiety sufferers and dental anxiety, so this is a progressive list, which i will update as i think of new ideas. Also, please feel free to add your own coping methods here.
1. Most important!! Find a dentist who you are comfortable with and who fully understands your problems.
2. Explain, in detail if you have to, your problems with anxiety and make sure he understands before he/she starts any work.
3. You don't have to have the treatment done on the first trip, so go and get a feel for the place. Sit in the chair, talk to the dentist, let him/her just look at your teeth. Make an appointment to come again in you need to. Never be pressured into getting it all done there and then.
4. If having an injection, you can ask for one which is adrenalin-free. Apparently, adrenalin can induce your anxiety, so ask your dentist about that.
5. After having the injection, don't proceed with the treatment until you are convinced your mouth is numb and are comfortable to continue.
6. Make it clear to your dentist if you would like to stop at any point during the treatment to take a break.
7. If you have anyone who can accompany you into the treatment room - a friend, spouse, family, etc - that could help. I have my wife with me, holding my hand throughout and i think on that which helps a lot.
8. I am learning to recognise when i am tensing my body during the treatment. When i feel this happening, i consciously relax myself. The tenser you are, the more anxiety you will likely feel.
9. When rising from the chair, do so slowly and easily. I find this in case i induce an unnecessary head-rush or anything, which could cause panic. Maybe a point-less thing, but, for me, i feel better to do this - not taking any chances.
Well, that's my list for now. If you can add anything to this list, please do so. I have more dental appointments coming up, so if i notice anything else that i do, i will add here too.
Gregor