How to stay calm when at the dentist if i have an anxiety disorder?

Visit the office: If it is a new office, visit it first, meet the team, explain your concern. We offer conscious oral sedation for high anxiety patients and most times, they only have the sedation once and feel completely comfortable after they have experienced the initial treatment, realizing that dentistry has changed and is easier than the anxious patient recalled it to be. We've converted many a dental phobic!

Several Possiblities: Some dentists offer conscious sedation or have very good chairside manners which can be helpful to adjusting to the dental experience. The psychiatric approach to anxiety disorders can include a variety of medications, relaxation techniques, guided imagery, self hypnosis and of course psychotherapy when it is related to underlying problems.

Dental Anxiety: First, let the dental staff know you are anxious. There are many thing we can do to hlep calm you. You also might want to take your ipod to listen to with calming music while they work on you. Many offices now have tv's in the treatment areas as well to help calm you. In some cases we can prescribe a medication to take before hand or use "laughing gas" to relax and de-stress you.

Medications : Anxiety reducing meds would be a valuable tool when you are at the dentist. As you develop trust and confidence with your dentist you may find you need them less often. You can also try to focus your thoughts on somewhere you have been that you find pleasant. Focus on every detail. This may provide a distraction for you during therapy.

A Simple Technique: Breath to relax. In the dental chair, close your eyes, take slow, deep breaths... As you exhale, picture in your mind- an image of steam or smoke coming from your nose and mouth. With each slow breath, allow your body and muscles to relax fully. If you become aware that you have forgotten to focus on the exhalation image, start again. Remember: the more you relax = less pain.