Listen to Your Dentist When They Recommend Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Whether you had a not-so-pleasant experience with a dentist when you were a kid or you've just let too many years slip past since your last appointment, it's easy to develop a dental phobia. In fact, up to 20 percent of Americans suffer from some form of anxiety around visiting the dentist, according to WebMD. But simply pushing your oral health to the back of your mind isn't a solution to the issue. Instead, here are some better ways to deal with this common situation.

Keep On Brushin'

Even if you aren't yet able to bring yourself to book an appointment, continue to make your oral health a priority through a number of simple, everyday approaches. Try to brush your teeth at least twice a day, use mouthwash regularly and floss at least once per day. Avoid consuming foods that can potentially cause harm to your smile. For example, limit your intake of coffee and red wine, which can cause staining, and skip hard and gummy candies, which can coat your teeth.

Share Your Concern With a Dentist

There's absolutely no harm in booking a consultation with a new dentist -- or visiting the dentist you haven't seen in a while -- and sharing your apprehension about dental care. If possible, explain why you have anxiety and ask the dentist how he or she can address these issues. Often, a lack of understanding of dental procedures can lead to trepidation; learning how a procedure is done, what type of pain to expect and how long it will take until you're back to normal can go a long way toward alleviating your fears. If the thought of lying in the dentist's chair or hearing the dentist's tools makes you anxious, ask about sedation dentistry or suggest that you'd like to listen to your MP3 player during your appointment.

Support and Rewards

Getting through a situation in which you feel anxiety is often easier if you rely on others for support or have a reward system in place. For a dental appointment, arrange to have a spouse, family member or close friend visit the dentist's office with you. The person doesn't need to sit next to you during the appointment, but simply knowing that someone is in the waiting room can reduce your fear. Likewise, think of something pleasurable to do after your appointment. It could be a shopping trip or seeing a movie with the person who accompanied you to the appointment, for example. For more information or advice, contact a dentist, such as those found at Mission Dental Center.