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More than 20 million Americans suffer anxiety about visiting
the dentist, so much so that some avoid dental checkups altogether.
"Regular visits to the dentist are critical to your oral
health, and avoiding them can lead to bigger oral health problems
later on," says Dr. Jed Jacobson, vice president of Professional
Services and dental director at Delta Dental of Michigan,
Ohio and Indiana. "The good news is that today, no one needs
to fear the dentist. Modern procedures make most dental work
virtually painless. Moreover, there are a variety of techniques
that can be used to relax fearful patients during dental visits."
People fear dental visits for a variety of reasons: fear
of the unknown, embarrassment about the current condition
of teeth, or a perception that dental visits are not affordable.
Most fears can be overcome simply by finding the right dentist
for you and practicing techniques to help relieve your anxiety.
Delta Dental recommends the following methods for addressing
your anxiety and relaxing your nerves at the dentist:
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Gain control. Eliminating the unknown
is a big step in helping overcome fears. Learn as much
as you can about the procedure you are having done, and
take an active part in decisions about your treatment.
Ask your dentist to explain the procedure to you ahead
of time and feel free to ask questions.
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Communicate with your dentist. Don't
be embarrassed if you're nervous about a particular procedure.
Communicate these fears to your dentist so he or she will
have a better understanding of how to treat you during
the procedure.
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Develop a signal with your dentist.
Knowing you can stop a procedure at any time will go a
long way toward alleviating your fears in the dental chair.
Let your dentist know that you'll raise your hand or signal
in some other way if you need a short break during a procedure.
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Find a distraction. Many dentists now
provide television, headsets with music or virtual- reality-type
glasses that can help distract you during a procedure
and block out the sound of dental instruments, which can
trigger anxiety.
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Discuss pain control with your dentist.
Modern dentistry offers a variety of effective pain control
medications. Review your options with your dentist to
learn which one is right for you and your particular procedure.
"With all of today's modern dental techniques, there is no
reason anyone should suffer from dental anxiety," explains
Jacobson. "Clear communication with the dentist prior to and
during dental procedures will help patients have more relaxed
dental visits."
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