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Overcoming fear of the dentist
How to Zone Out Anxiety
in the Dental Chair
by Michaela Scherr
Dealing with my fearful dental experience
Today I again dragged myself off to the
dentist, heart pounding with anxiety, for some continuation work on my
teeth.
Several weeks ago I decided to have a routine dental check-up, maybe get a
filling done or some teeth cleaning. An hour later I had one filling on the
left side of my jaw and the beginning of root canal therapy on the other!
And so the therapy began.
My next dental appointment was the following week for more root canal and
the week after that also. Not only that my newly filled tooth was now even
more painful than before so more work ensued (as well as more root canal),
and my anxiety level reached new heights.
To cut a long story short I then chose to have a crown in place of a filling
that may, or not, have lasted very long.
By now I was helping myself to their filtered coffee and newspaper on
arrival.
So today, as I again sat in the dental chair I was ready for battle and not
in the slightest fearful or anxious. This time I made sure there would be no anxiety,
instead I was relaxed, centered and in the present moment before I turned
up.
What did I do? I practiced some meditation! Meditation, one of the greatest
and cheapest self-help tools around!
Overcoming fear of the dentist with
meditation
By the time I turned up for my appointment I was sufficiently meditated,
then meditated through my dental work.
As the shrill piercing sound of the drill reverberated through my head and
my face sprayed with water, I simply drifted away to somewhere else –
somewhere peaceful. The dentist and the assistant continually asked me if I
was okay (who was showing anxiety now?) – I’d slowly nod then zone out
again, drifting away and closing the door to the sounds and movements of
where my physical body was, I was having a serene meditation moment or ten.
And then it was all over!
The next time you visit your dentist, it really pays to zone out during your
procedure (if possible even before you get there) - especially if you’re
nervous about any dental procedure at all like I am.
7 Steps to help you deal
with fear of the dentist - zone out anxiety in the dental chair
1. Have a meditation session before arriving at your next appointment. If
you’re not sure how to meditate, do some slow, deep breathing exercises
using your diaphragm muscles. I generally take around 4 to 5 slow deep
breaths, focusing on the outward breath.
2. Be in the present moment. This is when you’re not thinking about
anything, even remotely, about the past or future. The present moment is now
as you sit in the dental chair, staring at the ceiling or wall and becoming
aware of the rhythm of your slow inward and outward breath.
3. Once the procedure starts close your eyes and take your mind within.
Focus straight ahead – wherever you perceive straight ahead to be once
you’re eyes are closed – and think of nothing – just blank – the void –
staring at the colors and patterns you can see as you sit in the chair with
your eyes closed.
4. If you’re about to receive an injection - shriek! – When the needle goes
into the gum, breathe slowly and deeply into that area, continuing to fully
concentrate on your slow breathing until the injection is over.
5. Once that’s over, resume staring into the great nothing inside your
eyelids!
6. If you find it difficult to think nothing except for the person in the
white coat with cold steel instruments in hand (and mouth), focus on a
visual image in your mind’s eye that makes you feel really, really good
about yourself.
7. Whenever you start to again focus on the drilling (or whatever else is
happening in your mouth), breathe in slowly and deeply focusing on the
rhythm of your breathing and allow all muscles you become aware of, to
deflate and relax.
Meditation is a great fear and anxiety buster, and when applied before and during a
visit to your dentist – it makes the experience of sitting in a dental
chair, if not enjoyable, at least bearable!
by Michaela Scherr
©Michaela Scherr, all rights reserved. Used by permission.
Michaela is a Transformational Coach,
certified practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), writer and
intuitive who is totally committed to helping others create positive and
action oriented changes to their lives.
Michaela is the author of several e-books and publisher of a monthly
newsletter called From My Desk, and Inspirational Musings, short fortnightly
emails to inspire and give food for thought. Please visit her web site at
www.michaelascherr.com.
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