Tooth Tips for Later Life

2 tips for those who are scared of undergoing root canal therapy

Root canal therapy can be a lengthy and sometimes uncomfortable dental procedure. If your dentist has told you that you need to have this treatment and you're feeling very anxious about it, here are some tips that might be helpful.

1. Ask your dentist if you can opt for conscious sedation

If you are extremely worried about your upcoming dental appointment, and are fairly certain that your anxiety may make the treatment process very distressing, it is worth asking your dentist about 'conscious sedation'. This term refers to the use of a type of medication that affects a patient's central nervous system in such a way that they feel almost completely relaxed (both physically and mentally) but are still able to answer questions and maintain an awareness of their surroundings.

This will drastically reduce your anxiety levels whilst the root canal therapy is being performed. This, in turn, will not only make the experience far easier for you to cope with, but will also ensure that your anxiety does not interfere with the dentist's ability to treat you (for example, if you were to have a panic attack midway through the procedure, the dentist would have to stop what they were doing and wait for the attack to pass before they could continue).

If you decide to opt for conscious sedation, it's important to arrange for a friend or family member to collect you from the appointment and to book the rest of the day off work. The reason for this is that the physical side-effects of the medication will take a few hours to wear off and during this time, you may feel quite lethargic and nauseous. If you do, it may not be safe for you to drive or to work.

2. Take steps to reduce your anxiety before you are due to undergo the procedure

If you are concerned that you may end up having a panic attack before or immediately after you get to the dentist's office (i.e., prior to receiving the sedation medication), then it is also a good idea to take steps to keep your anxiety levels low during the hours before you are due to have the treatment. For example, you may want to go for a long, vigorous swim or walk for an hour or two in the morning; this will help to remove some of the adrenaline your body may have generated as a result of your anxiety. This, in turn, will help you to feel physically relaxed when you are travelling to the dentist.

Additionally, you may want to spend some time watching your favourite comedy shows on television, as laughing can help to lower the levels of stress hormones in your system (i.e., the hormones that make you feel alert and anxious).


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