Time to schedule a visit the dentist? Whether you’ve been putting it off for months or years, it’s not as scary as you remember. Really.

And the longer you put that visit off, the more extensive the care you need will become. Visiting the dentist can actually be a pleasurable experience, when you find the right one for you. Here are some tips from your New Brunswick Dental Society dentist to help make your next visit as stress free as possible.

Step One

Schedule your visit for the time of day when you’re most likely to be at your best. There’s nothing worse than going into a situation when you’re stressed.

Step Two

Wrestle your inner demons to discover the cause of your anxiety. Once you know why you’re scared, it will be easier to control your fear.

Step Three

To maximize your comfort level, get a good night’s sleep the night before your appointment. Eat a light breakfast on the day of your appointment and wear comfortable clothing.

Step Four

Talk to your dentist and dental hygienist. Tell them what makes you nervous and what concerns you. Often, talking about your fears will help ease them and make you feel more comfortable about the situation. Remember that most regular dental visits involve only a professional cleaning, examination and consultation. In other words, there won’t be any drilling. Take advantage of this time to get to know the dental staff and become comfortable in the office.

Step Five

Keep the dialog going. If your doctor says you need further treatment, ask for the details. The more you know about the reasons for a certain procedure, and what will actually take place, the more confident and relaxed you’ll be.

Step Six

Schedule short dental appointments and have different procedures performed on different days. If you feel any discomfort during treatment, set up a signal, such as raising your hand, to let your dentist know you need a break.

Step Seven

Work to establish a positive dentist-patient relationship. You should feel at ease and comfortable with your dentist. Take an active role in your dental care and determine, along with your dentist, the best treatment for you.

Follow these tips and your fear of dentists will prove to be no more real than the monsters that hid under your bed when you were a child. Smile on, and enjoy your happy, healthy smile.