- Posted on: Feb 21 2015
A visit to the dentist doesn’t have to be something to dread. In fact, it’s something to feel good about: in terms of your health, visiting the dentist is one of the best things you can do to help prevent disease, live a long life, and keep your smile healthy. Visiting our office should be a trip you look forward to! Okay, while we always look forward to your visit, we understand why maybe it’s not your favorite event. We also understand that the sound of the drill, fear of discomfort, and the apprehension about what a visit entails can produce anxiety.
Here are Five Tips For Making Your Visit More Relaxing:
1. Engineer for Success. Prepare for your visit – both mentally and physically – and have a positive outlook. Tell yourself that you are going to have a good visit and loosen up before you even arrive. Plan to do yoga before your visit, go for a run if it calms your nerves, or meditate at home for a few minutes to find a peaceful state of mind. Arrive early or on time to talk with the staff, settle in, and avoid extra anxiety from traffic or parking.
2. Celebrate Modern Technologies. Dental practices have greatly improved with less painful treatments, more efficient practices and quicker dental treatments. All of these things add up to a more pleasant experience in the dental chair. Contemplate the joys of dental advancements while you are in the chair to feel confident and more at ease. (If you feel the urge to thank the equipment for being so efficient, practical, and supportive, go ahead. Gratitude helps calm nerves.)
3. Turn on the Tunes. Listening to music can have a tremendously relaxing effect on our minds and bodies, especially slow, quiet classical music. This type of music can have a beneficial effect on our physiological functions, slowing the pulse and heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing the levels of stress hormones. We encourage you to bring your iPod and whatever music takes you to a soothing place.
4. Put Your Mind to Work. Try exercising your brain while you’re in the chair to take your mind off the sounds and sights around you. Think through the lyrics of your favorite song. Plan your next vacation. Relive a favorite memory; try to remember every detail. Make a list of all the movies you want to see. Focusing on positive memories and thoughts will help keep your mind from wandering into stressful territory.
5. Get Comfortable. Sometimes being relaxed begins with physical comforts. Wear something you are at ease in. Consider wearing a soft scarf or fleece sweatshirt – something that feels soft and calming against your skin. Partake of our personal amenities – refresh with a warm towel. Settle into the chair massagers. Or select a movie on Netflix that makes you smile. Surround yourself with small comforts and it will help set a relaxing mood.
Talk with us about your concerns and fears at any time and we’ll help make your visit as stress-free and enjoyable as possible!
Published by: Grand Rapids Dentistry Blog – A Life of Smiles
A Grand Rapids, Michigan based cosmetic, general & sedation dentistry
Tagged with: Comfortable Dentistry, Dental Care, Health, Sedation Dentistry
Posted in: Featured Posts, Tips
