Calming Apps for Anxiety at the Dentist

Posted on March 13, 2023 in Dental Health

Nearly 36 percent of people in the United States fear dental treatment and going to the dentist. This anxiety can make people avoid dentists at all costs. 

However, neglecting routine dental care or necessary procedures because you’re scared could cause worse issues than worry.

If you find yourself avoiding dental care because of fear or anxiety, the good news is that help may be as close as the palm of your hand! Your smartphone or other smart devices can provide access to apps that help you stay calm before and during a dentist appointment.

Here are some calming apps to get you back in the dental office and ready to smile again.

Meditation apps help control your thoughts 

Professionals designed apps like Headspace, MINDBODY, and Calm to help you in several ways. Apps like these have features that help you learn to meditate and control your thoughts, learn focused body movements, and enhance the quality of your sleep. Look for an app that lets you focus on your body and mind to help calm dental anxiety.

Relaxation apps offer anxiety management

Like the meditation apps listed above, other relaxation-inducing mobile apps allow you to self-help your anxiety management. For example, some apps provide white noise and calming sounds to settle your mind, while others suggest self-hypnosis or acupressure techniques to help you relax. Many of these solutions will help you focus on yourself instead of the stress of seeing a dentist.

Audio apps help take your mind off of things 

If music, podcasts, or audiobooks are your thing, bring your favorite headphones to your appointment to maintain your Zen while in the dentist’s chair. Podcasts are great for keeping your mind focused, and you can double the impact by listening to shows that tackle mental health maintenance.

Audiobooks allow you to enjoy your stories on the go, and they’re available from various retailers like Apple or Audible. If you prefer mindless music, services like Spotify have stress-specific playlists. Or, load up your music apps with your favorite songs.

Video apps

If you’re more easily distracted by the flashing lights and moving pictures on your smaller and more portable version of the silver screen, download Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, or even fire up YouTube and find something to take your mind off your dental anxiety. There are so many options to choose from you might forget why you were stressed in the first place. 

If you cannot watch a movie or show during dental treatment, take some time before your appointment to enjoy your favorite part. Dental offices sometimes have TVs with video apps installed above the patient’s chair. If this is the case for you, take advantage of it!

Don’t let fear of the dentist stop you from having good oral health 

Getting to the dentist's office may seem impossible if you have fear and anxiety. However, visiting twice a year is important to maintain oral health. Apps that calm, relax, and distract you are excellent tools for relieving stress and anxiety. Try one or all of the recommendations above at your next appointment - they might be the key to a more comfortable dental checkup!

Look for more ways to find calm during your dental experience.