Fear of dentists affects many people around the world, every day. Although dental procedures aren’t nearly as painful as they were 20 years ago, people still associate the dentist with pain and discomfort. Just the thought of pain can lead people to want to hightail it out of the dentist’s office at the first sight of a drill.

Avoiding the dentist is definitely not the right way to overcome your fear. In fact, avoiding the dentist can worsen your fear  – mostly because skipping out on regular visits can cause minor dental problems to become major.  If you suffer from dental phobia, here are a few tips to help make your next trip to the dentist a pleasant one:

Control Your Breathing
Remember to take slow natural breaths. If that doesn’t work, take a deep breath and hold it in while sucking in your abdomen as much as you can. When you can’t hold it any longer, let all your breath flow out smoothly through your mouth and with it you will release your tension.

Communication
Let your dentist know about your fears before beginning the procedure. Doing this will allow both you and your dentist time to create an approach that will help you be more comfortable.

Know What’s Happening
Knowing the process will keep you from stressing out over unexpected sounds and tools, which will help put your mind at ease.

Massage
Getting a massage before your appointment helps relax your muscle tissue and increase the flow of blood and oxygen in your body.  This will help you to stay calm during your dental procedure.  Some dental offices provide hand massages to help patients relax.

Entertain Yourself
Listen to your favorite music or, if your dentist has a TV in the room, put on a good movie.

Visiting the dentist is something we need to do regularly. Keep your mouth healthy and mind at ease by following these simple tips.

Source:  http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/dont-fear-the-dentist?page=2