Visits to the dentist can be a real nightmare for many people. Fear of the dentist is widespread and can have a significant impact on dental health. But don't worry, there are aids and solutions that can help you overcome your dental anxiety. In this article, we share 7 simple tips that will help you reduce your anxiety and make your next visit to the dentist more relaxed.

Our strategies are simple and effective at the same time. Let's explore dental phobia together and discover how you can find a way out.

The most important facts summarised in advance:

• Understand the causes of your dental anxiety through self-reflection and dialogue.

• Prepare yourself mentally for the visit to the dentist, e.g. by using relaxation techniques.

• Talk openly with your dentist to create an atmosphere of trust.

• Use distraction techniques such as music to reduce stress.

• Develop long-term strategies for dealing with your anxiety, such as behavioural therapy.

1. understand your dental anxiety 

To help you better understand your fear of the dentist, let's start by looking at the typical causes. The idea of pain and loss of control can increase anxiety and it is often previous negative experiences that make us uneasy at the dentist's surgery. But there is hope! With the right self-reflection, you can approach the treatment in a more relaxed way.

Do you know your fears about going to the dentist? Do you know what triggers them? It may help if you think about what the biggest triggers for your fears have been in the past. If you know why you fall into this state, you can develop specific strategies to overcome your dental anxiety. You'll be amazed at how effective this can be!

Pro tip: For patients who feel very uncomfortable, there are dentists who specialise in treating anxiety patients. They offer support to minimise your fear of visiting the dentist.

2. prepare thoroughly for your visit to the dentist

Preparing thoroughly for your visit to the dentist can help you overcome your dental anxiety. Use breathing techniques to stay calm and visualise yourself going home feeling relieved after the treatment. Are you afraid of the dentist? Think about whether it will help if you find out about the procedure in advance.

An experienced dentist for anxiety patients can give you peace of mind, as such specialised dentists understand your concerns and make the treatment as comfortable as possible. Ask if you can listen to music. This will allow you to block out the noises that often trigger anxiety. Talking to your dentist about your concerns will also help you regain control.

You may feel more comfortable if you bring a trusted person with you. A reassuring hand can also work wonders to reduce your dental anxiety. You may feel less at the mercy of the dentist.

Use special relaxation techniques

Breathing exercises and meditation can help you overcome your dental anxiety. This can reduce your fear of the dentist. Imagine sitting comfortably, breathing in and out deeply and suddenly the thought of treatment no longer feels so threatening. These little tricks can work wonders!

We all know that the thought of dental treatment is often unpleasant. With targeted relaxation techniques, your next visit to the dentist will be more relaxed. Thanks to controlled and conscious breathing, the pressure before treatment is reduced and you can regain control.

Positive visualisation

Imagine sitting relaxed in the dentist's chair while the dentist smiles kindly and explains what comes next. A mental walk through this positive image will give you a calming feeling before your next visit to the dentist.

Did you know that our inner voice can often be our biggest critic? But by telling ourselves that going to the dentist is not threatening, we can minimise our fear.

Have you ever asked yourself whether you trust your dentist? This is a very important point, because a dentist who listens to your concerns is worth its weight in gold. Patients with anxiety feel safer this way. Trust grows when we talk honestly about our fears.

3. talk openly with your dentist

To reduce your anxiety about treatment, it is crucial to talk openly with your dentist. We all know how it feels when our fear of the dentist increases. But by addressing our concerns directly, we can create a more relaxed atmosphere during treatment. The dentist can then respond to our individual needs and find suitable solutions.

Of course, it's not always easy to talk about anxiety. But a dentist for anxiety patients understands this and will do everything they can to help you. Together you can develop strategies to reduce the anxiety. They may suggest explaining the treatment in small steps or using gentle methods.

These methods will make the visit to the dentist feel less threatening.

4. bring someone with you

Taking a trusted person with you can work wonders in overcoming dental anxiety. Why? Because there is a familiar person next to you holding your hand, a person who makes you feel safe. It's amazing how a familiar voice or a reassuring look can help ease the tension.

We all know that dental anxiety is often caused by feeling at the mercy of others. But when someone familiar is by your side, you feel less alone. We can relax and take a more relaxed approach to the treatment.

The presence of a companion can also remind us that we don't have to cope with everything on our own. Sometimes it is enough to have someone who simply listens to us.

5. use distraction techniques

Distraction techniques during dental treatment can make an amazing difference. Music in our ears or an exciting podcast pull us into another world. Imagine being at a concert while your dentist does his work. This makes the treatment almost an incidental experience.

Distracting our attention from the treatment can help to overcome dental anxiety in a very targeted way. Patients often report that music helps them to block out the noises in the treatment room. A clever trick is to create a playlist with your favourite songs.

Videos on your mobile phone also provide a visual escape. Patients who focus on something positive often feel more relaxed. An exciting series or a funny video can almost make you forget the time in the dentist's chair. This reduces the fear of the treatment.

6. reward yourself after the appointment

It's okay to reward yourself after your visit to the dentist. Why not take a little stroll through the city centre or treat yourself to your favourite meal? These rewards help to create positive associations and make the next appointment less scary. The feeling of doing something good for yourself can be really motivating and anxiety-relieving.

And let's be honest, who doesn't look forward to a little reward after a successful treatment? Maybe a book you've been meaning to read for a long time? Or an evening out with friends? This gives you something to look forward to. This means that a visit to the dentist is no longer just associated with tension, but also with small pleasures.

Overcoming dental anxiety also means regaining control. Small rewards are a wonderful step in this direction.

7 Long-term strategies for overcoming anxiety

In order to find long-term coping strategies for dental anxiety, it can be helpful to schedule regular visits to the dentist. This routine can not only increase confidence in the dentist, but also reduce anxiety about treatment. We know that the thought of treatment is often intimidating. But the more familiar the dentist's chair becomes, the less threatening it seems.

Another approach is to seek professional help. Therapies or counselling can offer valuable support. Many patients benefit from the opportunity to discuss their fears in a safe space. Sharing experiences with other patients in forums or groups can also be inspiring. It creates a sense of community that helps many people to overcome their fear of the dentist.

By the way, we recommend our emmi-dent ultrasonic toothbrush for proper dental care and fewer bad visits to the dentist.