| There are a lot of things that can make people | | | | especially comforting for small children to hold a |
| anxious, and they can be different from person | | | | stuffed animal or a toy. |
| to person. Some people deal with anxiety on a | | | | A common practice for dealing with anxiety is |
| daily basis while others face this problem only | | | | steady breathing. If you have time before your |
| during certain events. It is common for patients | | | | appointment you can do some yoga exercises or |
| to have anxiety when going to the doctor, | | | | other relaxing breathing techniques. Steady |
| dentist, or orthodontist. It can be a frightful | | | | breathing or doing yoga will also be helpful after |
| experience because there is the fear of pain, | | | | your appointment to calm you down. Take a |
| discomfort, the unknown, or other factors. Dental | | | | deep breath in and breathe out slowly while you |
| anxiety can come in different form as well ranging | | | | are in the chair waiting to see your orthodontist |
| from rapid heartbeats, high blood pressure, | | | | or dentist. If you need help breathing during your |
| shortness of breath, irritability, anger, or strong | | | | appointment you may need to wear an oxygen |
| emotions such as crying. If you have dental | | | | apparatus that goes over your nose. Don't be |
| anxiety, here are some tips to remember for | | | | afraid to ask for something during your |
| your trip to your orthodontist or dentist | | | | appointment because the office will be likely to |
| appointment. | | | | accommodate your needs. |
| One step that can make your experience at the | | | | The dental industry has come a long way with |
| office more pleasurable and less stressful is to | | | | the technology used in procedures. It may be in |
| have open communication. Let the dentist and | | | | your best interest to find an orthodontist or |
| their assistants know that you are feeling anxious | | | | dentist that uses laser dentistry in their practice. |
| about the appointment. Talking about the way | | | | Ask the office staff if dental laser tools are used |
| you feel may make you feel instantly better | | | | in their practice. Laser tools cause minimal |
| about the appointment. It will also let the person | | | | amounts of pain and offer speedy recovery |
| who is working on your teeth know not to be | | | | times. Knowing this before going in for a |
| too aggressive, to ask often how you are doing, | | | | procedure can lessen the anxiety that you |
| and to take breaks when necessary. | | | | normally feel. Pain and discomfort are common |
| Another way to deal with anxiety is to bring a | | | | triggers for feelings of anxiousness and stress. |
| comfort item. This may mean that you wear | | | | There are easy ways to deal with dental anxiety, |
| pajamas or other comfortable clothing to our | | | | and you don't have to let it overcome your fears |
| appointment. Don't be embarrassed by bringing in | | | | of going to the dentist. Remember to have open |
| a stuffed animal or one of your favorite blankets | | | | communication, be comfortable, breath normally, |
| even if you are an adult or a child. Being | | | | and talk to your dentist about the tools and |
| comfortable can make the fear of the unknown | | | | procedures used for your appointment. Having |
| less of an anxious factor for you. A lot of | | | | dental anxiety can become a thing of the past for |
| dentists' offices have blankets, and if one is | | | | you. |
| offered to you happily accept the offer. It can be | | | | |