Collection of tips « Thread Started on Mar 9, 2005, 8:55am »
Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/news/health/newx8e_20050308.htm )
From: Health news Afraid of dentists? Just breathe deep March 8, 2005
Dentists increasingly are taking steps to put patients at ease, Cowan says. But there are things patients can do to help themselves:
* Visit the practice before selecting a new dentist. Make sure you like the style of the dentist and his or her staff.
* Ask the dentist questions about approaches used to control pain.
* Practice breathing techniques before your appointment to help you relax during stressful moments. "Feel the cool going in the nostrils and hot air going out the mouth," Cowan says.
* Use visualization to imagine yourself somewhere more pleasant during your appointment -- perhaps an oceanside vacation or favorite hiking spot.
* Try aromatherapy and find a scent that soothes and calms you. Bring a little tube of that oil with you to your appointment.
* Ask your dentist if you can use headphones to listen to your favorite music or a book on tape if the practice doesn't already provide them.
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------- I am not a dentist, counsellor or health professional. Any advice or information contained within this post is for entertainment or peer-support purposes only.
kmartindy Guest
Re: Collection of tips « Reply #1 on Aug 12, 2005, 8:06pm »
I use BRIBES. I promise myself fun things afterwards when I'm esentially "skipping" work. (Since I am too emotionally drained to accomplish anything at work, why go?) I go to the bead store, or the florist's, or walk along the canal and feed bread to ducks.
I also use self-PRAISE. such as "Congradulations, you made it to the parkinglot with ten minutes to spare. Good job handling the traffic this morning!"--since getting to the appointment is actually the most stressful part for me.
Re: Collection of tips « Reply #2 on Sept 1, 2005, 11:37am »
My hygenist told me at my last cleaning to lift my ankles so I wouldn't gag-extremely strong gag reflex. yesterday I had a pre crown appt with lots of that nasty mold stuff - so I lifted my ankles. today I feel like I ran a few miles (hour and a half long appointment) but I barely gagged at all. The entire experience was emotionally and physically draining (physically partially because it takes a lot of effort to keep your ankles in the air), but it could have been a lot worse - because the only thing I remember about a previous crown molding appointment is gagging so much they had to redo everything. BTW-I also stand one leg to brush my teeth without upchucking.
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