If the idea of making a visit to the dentist fills you with anxiety and fear, you are not alone. For most people, going to the dentist is at the top of the "I don't want to do this" list. In an effort to deal with your pre-dental appointment fear, you may do things which actually increase the stress of the visit. Below are some things you should avoid doing before your dental appointment.

Being Late

You should make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get to your appointment. While it might be tempting to put off leaving because you really don't want to sit in the dentist chair, getting stuck in traffic and being late will increase your stress levels. Also, if you are late for your appointment, every other patient who has an appointment later that day will have to wait to be seen. If you are going to be late, you should call ahead so the dentist can reschedule appointments and keep things running smoothly.

Self Medicating

You should avoid self medicating with painkillers, sedatives or alcohol before your dentist visit. If your dentist administers any kind of anaesthetic, any substances you have used to self medicate could interact or interfere with it. You should speak to your dentist before they begin any examination or treatment and explain that you are feeling anxious or stressed. Not knowing exactly what your dentist plans to do and fear of pain are two of the biggest causes of anxiety and stress. If you speak to your dentist, they will be able to talk you through the procedure so you know what to expect and also offer you a suitable level of pain management. 

Changing Your Brushing Routine

In the days before your dental appointment, you might think you can make up for all the times you didn't brush your teeth by brushing them six times a day. Do not do this. Suddenly increasing the frequency of brushing just before your appointment will make little or no difference to your dental health. In fact, it can actually cause irritation to your gums which can lead to pain and bleeding. You should continue to brush as normal and speak to your dentist about improving your dental cleaning routine.

Regular visits to the dentist are a vital part of maintaining good oral health and keeping your smile looking great. Contact your dentist today and book your next appointment.