It’s time to schedule that visit to the dentist. Whether you’ve been putting it off for months or years, it’s time to pick up the phone. 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, provided you find a dentist you can connect with. Following are some tips from your Michigan Dental Association 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 already stressed.
• Step Two - Wrestle with those internal 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 the morning of, and wear comfortable clothing.
• Step Four - Talk to your dentist and dental hygienist. Tell them what makes you nervous and what concerns you. More often than you might think, simply talking about your fears can help alleviate them and make you feel more comfortable about the situation.
• Internal Note - When your anxiety reaches up to grab you by the throat, 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 pointers and that fear you’ve always had 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.

It’s time to schedule that visit to the dentist. Whether you’ve been putting it off for months or years, it’s time to pick up the phone. 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, provided you find a dentist you can connect with. Following are some tips from your Michigan Dental Association 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 already stressed.
• Step Two - Wrestle with those internal 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 the morning of, and wear comfortable clothing.
• Step Four - Talk to your dentist and dental hygienist. Tell them what makes you nervous and what concerns you. More often than you might think, simply talking about your fears can help alleviate them and make you feel more comfortable about the situation.
• Internal Note - When your anxiety reaches up to grab you by the throat, 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 pointers and that fear you’ve always had 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.