It’s often difficult to know when that throbbing pain in your teeth is just a simple ache or a condition that already calls for emergency dental treatment. Dental emergencies include traumatic injuries, tooth or gum infections, incessant bleeding, or insistent pain that comes with chills.
Sometimes, fear comes in the way and convinces us to deny that we may actually need some emergency care. Here are some ways to not let your anxiety take over and worsen your urgent dental condition.
Go to a dentist you trust
Nothing can calm your nerves better than having full confidence in the person who’s going to treat you in the first place. So choose the best dentist or dental clinic in town. If you already have a trusted dentist, then there is no problem. But if you don’t have one or happen to be far from your dentist at the time of an emergency, get some immediate recommendations from your family or friends. Get reassurance by asking them what to expect, so you can better prepare your mind and body to take the necessary treatment. Tell them about your anxiety and they might have just the explanation that you need about the clinic you’ll visit.
If you don’t or can’t trust the dentist who’ll treat you, the procedure will be more difficult for both you and the medical expert.
Communicate your fears
There are two major benefits to openly communicating your anxiety to your dentist. First is release. Just like with any problem or burden we carry, venting can make us calm and relaxed. It makes us feel lighter and helps us regain our confidence in ourselves. Releasing that built-up anxiety about getting a dental treatment takes off a huge load from the chest and will ease up the mind.
The second is a clear understanding between you and your dentist. Being open about your fear helps the dentist know just the right and gentle way to approach you and perform the operation. Communicating informs the dentist what he can do and what he should be extra careful about, which is essential to keeping you calm and not worsening your feelings for a safe treatment.
Bring in a companion
Knowing that you're not alone in this is absolutely reassuring. Ask a family member, a loved one, or a friend to come with you to the dentist. Especially since it’s an emergency dental intervention, chances are they’ll help you. You can ask them to drive you to the clinic and make you company. Having a companion in times that you’re afraid will put your mind at ease. Somebody you trust is near you so when something goes wrong (which it will not!), you know you have them. A family, loved one, or friend’s presence is enough to make you feel safe. So don’t hesitate to ask for help and tell them that their presence is the best aid you can get.
Distraction
You will never relax by fixating your mind on things that can go wrong. If you can’t really convince yourself that everything is fine or if you really lack the confidence to get emergency dental treatment, distract yourself by switching channels in your mind. Think about other stuff. Count from zero to infinity, think about what could happen next in your favorite series, sing your go-to song in your mind, imagine your last trip to the beach or mountain and do many more random things just to distract you from the operation.
More information about Emergency Dental care with de Man & Höediono
It’s important that you get the emergency treatment your teeth and gums need to avoid irreversible oral damage. Look for the tips on the list that work best for you so you can loosen up and relax.