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Dealing with Dental Anxiety

By Benjamin Cook

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Published: 16Jan2010
Word count: 511
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Someone asked me once, "what does it feel like when you’re excited?" I considered the question and replied, "well, my heart beats a little faster, my hands get damp and my throat goes a little dry. Sometimes, if it is particularly intense, I get butterflies in my stomach, and if they begin to fly in formation I figure the anticipation is a really good sign!"

They paused for a minute, pondered, and then said something I thought gave quite a good insight into dealing with anxiety. “That sounds a lot like being nervous to me!"

A visit to the dentist also has two interpretations - to some it is nothing more trying than a routine by which to maintain dental hygiene, to others it is a nerve-wracking situation to be avoided at all costs.

So if you are anxious and dread your annual visit, there are a number of ways you can help to manage anxiety when going to the dentist.

1. Tell them that you are an anxious patient - trying to hide your feelings will often make them more intense. Staff are usually very experienced in dealing with nervous patients and will be both sympathetic and eager to make the situation as pleasant as possible for you.

2. Nerves and anxiety are heightened when we continually run an image or scenario in our heads - doing something to ‘break’ this state can help enormously. Moving locations, going for a walk or doing something you enjoy before heading for your appointment can all help lessen the dread.

3. Being outdoors tends to move people into the Beta brain wave state - a 'zone' which is naturally more relaxed than being indoors, staring at the walls and focusing on the appointment. So, if you’re nervous, a walk around the block a few times beforehand can be hugely calming.

4. Touch your fourth (ring) finger to your thumb on both hands and breathe slowly and rhythmically. This is a yoga breathing technique which will help ease your mind and calm your body.

5. Smile! It sounds strange, but sometimes looking up and smiling can help pull you out of an unpleasant emotional state - body language and posture play a decisive role in controlling how you feel.

6. Research your dentist carefully. Look at pictures of the surgery and treatment rooms. When you lack knowledge or visual data your subconscious mind will intervene and think of things that will increase your anxiety. It is YOUR fear, after all, so YOUR imagination will be perfectly placed to think the worst. When you have definite knowledge (of the decor, of the staff uniform, of your dentist's face) you will be better prepared and in a good position to feel in control. This will help you to deal more calmly with the situation.

If you follow these simple points you can help manage your anxiety a little better. Remember, no single technique is a guaranteed curative, but people who have become accomplished at managing their nervous state often use a range of these 'tricks' to to help keep calm.

www.benjamincook.co.uk Benjamin Cook is an NLP Practitioner and Hypnotherapist in Glasgow specialising in weight loss, phobia cure, smoking cessation and personal coaching

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