Many adults avoid the dentist due to fear, whether they are willing to admit their apprehension or not. The most common reasons people skip their regular oral checkup include loss of control, pain or discomfort, embarrassment of their oral health, or even negative past experiences. To help ease you into oral health again, the caring and skilled cosmetic dentistry experts at Patrick T. Hunter, DDS, in Dayton, OH, have gathered their top three tips on how you can calm your anxiety when visiting their office. 

3 Tips to Help You Overcome Your Fears of the Dentist

1. Name Your Fears

Are you afraid of the sound of the machines, or of the feeling of the tools against your teeth? Maybe you are simply uncomfortable with someone else’s hands in your mouth? Whatever the case may be, being honest with yourself and your dental care team will give you the opportunity to work together to soothe your anxiety.

2. Ask Questions

If the sharp, metal tools are what bothers you about visiting the dentist, ask the dental team to explain what each tool does. An informal Q&A session may just be the thing you need to help understand the tools and make them less intimidating. 

3. Practice Relaxation & Distraction Techniques

Controlled breathing — counting your breaths in and out in a cycle of 10 — can dramatically calm you down because controlled breathing manually reduces your heart rate. If you prefer more active distractions, you can watch your favorite show or movie, or even bring noise-canceling headphones and listen to calm or upbeat music. 

Don’t put your oral health at risk by skipping another dentist appointment. The experienced family dentistry team at Patrick T. Hunter, DDS, works hard to answer questions and create a welcoming, stress-free experience. To learn more about their services or to book your next appointment, call (937) 890-8957 or visit their website.