Don’t let your nerves get the better of you! If you want to learn some strategies for conquering your fears regarding root canals, call the compassionate team at Nashua Family Dentistry at 603-546-7460.
We always go above and beyond to help our patients have a pleasant experience at our Nashua, NH dentist office. We even provide various comfort options to help you relax during visits, including:
- Warm, cozy blankets
- Soft pillows
- Music options to help relax and distract you
- Longer appointments by request so we can work at your pace
- Dental sedation to help relieve your dental anxiety
Find out how our friendly and skilled team can personalize your appointment to help you feel more at ease at the dentist!
Learn Strategies To Banish Your Root Canal Fears
Perhaps more so than any other dental treatment, whether restorative dentistry or something else, we find that patients fear a root canal procedure. Maybe someone you know had one done years and years ago and was not properly numbed for it. Or perhaps you just can’t help but internalize the urban myths you’ve seen and heard in movies and television.
Regardless of the cause of your fears, we want you to know that you do have options to help minimize or even relieve them entirely. We’ll do all we can to help you relax when you visit our Nashua, NH dentist office, but you should also know that you have agency in this matter.
One thing some patients have success with is breathing exercises. There are a few approaches you can try and you should consider experimenting with a few to find the one that suits you best. One option is the “4-7-8” breathing technique that recommends you:
- Inhale through your nose, counting to four
- Hold your breath while counting to seven
- Exhale through your mouth as you count to eight while making a “whooshing” noise
Others have success with practicing physical mindfulness. Try concentrating on and tensing a particular muscle group in your body and then completely relaxing, releasing all the tension that you may not even realize you’re holding there. Then, move to another muscle group and do the same thing until you’ve relaxed your whole body.
You can also try inhaling essential oils to help you relax. For instance, a lot of people associate lavender with a calming effect. Or maybe you want to pick a scent that is more personal to you or associated with a positive memory. Many essential oils come in small bottles that you can easily fit in your pocket.
Visualizing something positive can also help melt away tension. That could be a positive memory or aspiration or it could simply be you looking in the mirror and seeing a healthy and repaired smile following your restorative treatment.
If one method isn’t enough to calm your nerves, try combining some of these strategies and/or ask us for other suggestions! Your comfort is a top priority for our whole team.
Get a gentle, tooth-saving root canal from Nashua Family Dentistry. To book a consultation or ask us questions, call 603-546-7460, visit us in person, or use our simple online form.