Ways To Deal With Anxiety About Going To The Dentist

Don't let anyone tell you that your fears of going to the dentist are unreasonable. Anxiety is a real condition that affects people every day in a variety of ways. You may not have anxiety in your everyday life, but feel it the most when it is time to go to the dentist. Here are some tips for dealing with anxiety for that upcoming appointment.

Listen To A Podcast

Don't be afraid to bring in some headphones and zone out while listening to a podcast during the dental appointment. Your anxiety may stem from you having racing thoughts about what is about to happen to you and hearing all the sounds that happen inside a dentist's office. 

Why listen to a podcast and not music? A podcast will help you focus on the words that are being said and try to comprehend what the episode is about. The goal is to make you think about something else and not about the procedure. Music may drown out the sounds but could turn into background music where you stop listening to the lyrics and start thinking about everything that is giving you anxiety.

Ask For Medication 

If you know you have issues with anxiety and struggle to get through it with other techniques, ask your dentist about having a prescription for Xanax. It is a very common drug used to treat anxiety, and the effects of the drug kick in very fast. This is not the same as other drugs that must be taken regularly and build up in your system over time. Your dentist may give you a prescription for just one or two pills to take the day of the appointment and the night before so that you get a good night's sleep. 

Bring Support

Sometimes the hardest part of dealing with anxiety about the dentist is going alone. Consider asking a friend or family member to go with you to make the experience easier to deal with. You will be surprised at how it helps to have someone there to talk to, drive you to the office, and simply be there for you at a time when you need someone most. This is also important if you are taking an anxiety medication before you go to the dentist since you will not be allowed to drive with it in your system. 

Ask your dentist for more advice on how to deal with your dental-related anxiety.