Dental Anxiety: Ways To Relax Before Visiting Your Dentist
Posted on: 10 February 2015
The anxiety you feel before visiting the dentist is understandable. The procedure you need may require terrifying instruments, like a needle. But you are not alone because 20 percent of the populationhas some form of anxiety when visiting the dentist. Do not fret because you may be able to defeat this anxiety with the help of your dentist and this guide.
Chocolate Can Help You Relax
You may think of chocolate as just an indulgence. But the chemical makeup of chocolate will tell a different story. Chocolate contains several active ingredients that can help relax you. One of those ingredients is called anandamide. Research found that chocolate contains small traces of anandamide. Anandamide is naturally created in your brain to help you feel happy. Chocolate activates and heightens this feeling for you, which should deter the anxiety you are feeling by visiting your dentist.
Chocolate's ingredients also increase the endocannabinoid levels in your brain. This allows your brain to feel good for a long time, as the endocannabinoid will inhibit the breakdown of anandamide.
But does chocolate stop there? No, as it turns out, chocolate also contains antioxidants. These antioxidants will reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) levels in your brain. Just remember to eat dark or raw chocolate to receive these benefits, as regular milk chocolate found in most stores does not contain the natural ingredients of the cacao bean.
You can eat this piece of chocolate right before your dentist appointment to ease some of that anxiety.
Inhale Wonderful Calming Odors
You might find it hard to believe, but certain scents can help you relax, like lavender. Lavender was the focal point of a study that showed that lavender is an effective stress reliever. The study was performed on patients who were planning to see their dentist.
The reason lavender is so effective is due to its contents. Lavender contains linalool and linalyl acetate, which activates neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters help you feel less anxious.
Another scent to consider is vanilla. Vanilla has similar effects on your brain because it contains vanillin. This active ingredient has a strong effect on your olfactory sense, which is what activates those neurotransmitters that reduce your stress.
You should just make sure that you inhale naturally based forms of lavender or vanilla, like vanilla or lavender essential oil. You can purchase this online or at your local health food store.
As you can see, reducing your anxiety before visiting your top dentist can be done easily and naturally.
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