Adult Relaxation Techniques for Dental Visits Submitted by Alaska Head Start Health Improvement Initiative Dental Project, Anchorage, Alaska
Visualization: Create a relaxing picture in your mind of a beautiful flower, a peaceful scene, or a pleasant memory. Examine every detail of the picture and make it as clear in your mind as possible. When you feel anxious, call this picture to mind.Breathing: Take several deep and slow breaths. Imagine that with every blowing out of breath you are blowing out the anxiety. Breathe from the very bottom of your lungs. As you breathe in, say to yourself, "I am...," and as you breathe out, say to yourself, "...relaxed." This is also fun to do at bedtime with your child.
Worry Stone: Find a small stone or smooth object you can hold and stroke to calm yourself. Many cultures use such small objects. If you have something of personal meaning to you, it may be even more calming.
Finger or Toe Exercises: Tense and relax your fingers and toes, moving them in circles or spelling out words in the air. You can be more comfortable with tooth cleaning or other dental work being done by focusing attention on another part of your body.
Shoulders: From time to time, consciously drop your shoulders and relax them
Practicing relaxation techniques increases their positive effect. Even if you do not need dental work yourself, it is important for you to be relaxed when visiting the dentist with your child. You will want to ask questions about your child's teeth and be able to listen to what advice and information the dentist has about your child's teeth. Being relaxed lets you make the most of your child's dental visit. Your presence is very important to a successful dental visit for your child. Some parents have had bad experiences with dentists in the past which can cause fear and anxiety about visiting the dentist in their children, too. But dentistry is more advanced than it was just a few years ago, and rarely does a visit cause pain. Also, when making an appointment with a dentist, mention that you are anxious about it but want to make the effort so that your child won't be anxious, too.