Conquering Your Fear of the Dentist. Part II of a Two-Part Series

As we explained in Part I, dental anxiety is quite common and prevents some otherwise intelligent, rational people from routinely getting dental care and optimizing and maintaining their dental health. Most dental phobics have experienced a high degree of discomfort at one time or another with either an unskilled or uncaring dentist. Unfortunately, if the experience is unpleasant enough, these folks will seek help only in a situation where what, oftentimes begins as a minor condition, progresses to a significant one and the pain becomes unbearable.  

So how do you conquer your fear of the dentist? The second of the two main principles is a technique called Guided Imagery, a relaxation technique that has been used for decades both by individuals to calm themselves and by healthcare workers and therapists, etc. to help calm their patients.

If your dentist is familiar with the technique, he will suggest a soothing scenario to think about or ask you to select one of your own. Then, he’ll simply guide you through a detailed description of the place or situation that has been planted in your mind. Some common imagery includes relaxing scenes such as open meadows, running streams, swaying palms, gentle snowfall, etc.

The technique can be used on yourself as well. Maybe floating on a pool raft in warm water is a soothing thought or lying back in a green field, watching the clouds. Whatever your thought process, it helps to practice at times when you’re not feeling anxious to help train your mind to feel that same calm under stressful conditions. The technique is easy to do anywhere you can close your eyes, and works to some degree for virtually everyone. No, Guided Imagery is not the cure-all for alleviating anxiety. But, combine it with the right dentist and a little practice, and you might find yourself a bit more at ease in the dentist chair and well on your way to improving your oral health. 

For information about dentures, dental implants and general and restorative dentistry, call the Ferber Dental Group at 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.