Going to the dentist’s office is a great way to ensure your teeth and mouth remain healthy. The trouble is, many people have had a bad experience connected to their dentist. Typically this experience happened when they were younger and could have nothing to do with the dentist, the office, or their mouth being worked on at all.
This post will go through some relaxing techniques you can use to relax you or your child while at the dentist’s office.
Ask for Topical Numbing for Your Gums
There are three main types of anesthesia: general, local, and topical. It is no problem to ask your dentist to use a topical anesthesia before they get to work. You can use topical anesthesia for general cleanings or have a numbing cream applied to your gums before getting an injection to ease the pinch of the needle.
Talk Through the Steps with Your Dentist
People fear the unknown. Some people relax when they know what to expect in their dentist’s office. Jumping right into a procedure could be jarring and unnerving. Tell your dentist that it helps you relax when you talk through the steps ahead of time, and he or she should be understanding.
Choose a Slow Time for Your Appointment
Being busy stresses some people out. When more things are happening, the more they tend to get emotionally on edge. The middle of the day tends to be a calmer time when most people are at school or work. This is a slower time at the dentist’s office, and maybe just right for you to come in and calmly get work done. Scheduling your appointment for the middle of the day will also help you get in and out of the session more quickly, so the stressful time in the waiting room gets cut down.
Agree on a Signal with your Dentist
Some people get freaked out that they will be trapped with pain and no way to escape for fear of moving and causing more pain. Before your dentist gets to work on your mouth, set up a signal with them. Raising your hand is a good signal to communicate your need to take a break. Make sure this signal is clearly understood.
Here at Southfield Family Dental, we want to help you have the calmest experience you can have while having dental work done. Our dentist and hygienists have experience with people of all ages. Let us know how we can treat you best.
Give the Southfield Family Dental team a call today at (248) 569-6304 to schedule your next appointment.
