If you don’t exactly look forward to going to the dentist, chances are you may have a little bit of dental anxiety. This may stem from a fear of what the dentist will find out or a fear that you’ll get bad news. Here are some ways to make your dentist visits more enjoyable.
1. Go Regularly
The more often you go to the dentist, the more comfortable you’ll feel in the days and weeks leading up to your appointment. When you go regularly to the dentist, you’ll get to know the office staff, become more familiar with the office environment and develop a nice rapport with your dentist. Experts suggest going to the dentist at least once a month, but talk to your own dentist about a schedule that meets your particular dental needs.
2. Keep Up Home Dental Hygiene
If you keep up your home dental hygiene regimen, then you’ll have very little to fear about going to the dentist. As long as you’re flossing, brushing and rinsing with fluoride products daily, you and your dentist will know that you’re doing everything within your power to maintain your dental health.
3. Don’t Put Off Problem Visits
If you do feel like you have a dental health issue—no matter how small—book an appointment right away with your dentist to have it checked out. Small dental issues have a way of quickly turning into serious problems if they are left untreated. Things you should have checked out include:
- tooth sensitivity
- chipped tooth
- visible gaps that suddenly appear between teeth
- loose tooth
- change in bite
- bleeding gums
- chronic bad breath
4. Bring a Comfort Item
Consider bringing something familiar and comforting from home on your dentist visits. This could be something like a favorite sweater, a shawl, a lucky keychain or something similar. This can help you to feel more relaxed as you hold it during your dentist visits.
These four ways to make your dentist visits more enjoyable are easy to implement. The better you feel about upcoming dental visits, the more likely you are to keep them. To book a dentist visit now, please contact us today.