12 Oct Calming Apps for Anxiety at the Dentist
Are you avoiding going to the dentist because you’re afraid of the drill? Are you worried that you might need expensive treatments? Are you embarrassed because you haven’t been flossing like you’re supposed to? Does the thought of sitting in the dentist’s chair make you want to run and hide?
There are many reasons why people feel anxiety at the dentist. And let’s face it—lying back and opening your mouth so someone else can reach inside makes most of us feel uncomfortable. But unless you can get past your fears, your dental health will start to suffer.
If you have a fear of the dentist, we want to help you get through it. And if performing some breathing exercises or listening to sleep stories will make you feel less anxious, we’re all for it. Here are some calming apps for anxiety to try out before your next visit.
Three Calming Apps for Dental Anxiety
1: Audible
A good story can transport your mind to another place, far away from the dentist’s chair. Getting “lost” in a good audiobook is a great way to keep yourself from anticipating something unpleasant, like a needle or a drill.
Audible has other things besides books to listen to as well. A calming soundscape could be just what you need to feel more relaxed at the dentist. With some noise-canceling headphones, you can focus on the sound of birds singing or waves crashing on a beach instead of the drill.
2: Breathwrk
By concentrating on your breath, you can shift your focus and calm anxiety. This personal growth app uses breathing exercises to accomplish all sorts of goals, from better athletic performance to sounder sleep.
Breathwrk breaks down its exercises into categories, so you can practice techniques that target anxiety or help calm your mind. Its many subcategories make it easy to customize for your personal development or wellbeing.
3: Calm
This highly-rated wellness app promises to reduce stress and feelings of anxiety. There’s even a children’s collection you can try if one of your kids has anxiety about going to the dentist. Calm offers breathing exercises, guided meditations, music, and sleep stories with celebrity narrators.
Getting a good night’s sleep is always a good idea, especially before a dental appointment. If you are getting a crown or a filling or having any other work done, showing up rested will help ease your anxiety and help you recover more quickly.
Apps Can Help, But If You Feel Anxious, Let Us Know
If you tend to feel anxiety at the dentist, please let us know. We offer a complimentary comfort menu of items to put you at ease and make you as comfortable as possible. Your dental health is very important, and exams and cleanings can help prevent many different diseases.
So if you want to listen to a story or some calming music, we’re happy to allow it. And if you need to take a break to breathe for a little while, that’s fine, too. We want to provide the most positive dental experience possible, so that you can take good care of your oral health, even if you suffer from anxiety.
To make an appointment, call 928-445-1660 or send us a message online today.
Photo by Sherise Van Dyk on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 9/15/2023.