Overcoming Dental Anxiety Organically

When you think of the dentist how does your body react?

Do you feel nauseous and short of breath? Do your palms get sweaty, your heart race, your hands shake. You are reacting the way your ancestors did when they were faced with a lion, tiger or bear, oh my!
Adrenaline is the hormone that saves your life when you are physically in danger by giving you the energy to make a run for it, or to fight.
At the dentist, however, none of these reactions are useful to you, so the energy only makes you more nervous.

Sedation is a wonderful tool to overcome nervousness.
When you can’t have sedation, exercise can burn off this adrenaline boost and help calm you down.

Do a few push ups, take a walk, climb stairs two at a time.
If you can’t get away or must sit or stay in one place, do isometrics in place by first tensing and then relaxing your muscles. Do seated leg raises; clasp your hands in front of your chest and press together; while standing 3 feet from a wall, lower yourself toward the wall and repeat.
When your heart pumps faster during exercise, the adrenaline dissipates along with the anxious feelings. You’ll be able to deal with dental anxiety more adaptively when the nervous energy has burned off.