Dental anxiety is the fear of dental procedures, which can be worsened by thoughts ranging from going under anesthesia to the metal used in specific procedures. A person with dental anxiety may worry that they will experience pain or even harm during their visit to the dentist. These fears can cause an intense stress level, making it difficult for a person with dental anxiety to relax before and after any procedure. You’ve probably experienced that cold, crushing fear you get when someone mentions the dentist at work. Here are four essential ways to use yoga to alleviate your dental anxiety.
1. Breathe
Deep breathing relaxes the nerve muscles in your body which helps you release stress and anxiety. Practicing deep breathing techniques can be highly beneficial in reducing dental anxiety. Inhale deeply, hold your breath for a while and exhale slowly. You can even open your mouth wider to breathe more oxygen, calming your nerves. Yoga provides a beautiful practice for calming the nervous system. This is also a very helpful yoga technique to reduce the overall stress and anxiety in your life.
2. Stretches for Dental Phobias
If you are anxious about the dentist because of pain, many yoga poses can help. While the movement of your mouth and jaw may trigger dental pain, there are a variety of yoga stretches that can help keep your jaw muscles loose and flexible. These stretches will also improve the blood flow to your face, reducing stress-related inflammation.
3. Use Meditation
Yoga is a spiritual practice that teaches us how to live a happy, healthy life. A big part of living well is learning to find peace of mind no matter your circumstances. If you have dental anxiety, try meditating the day before and the morning of your appointment. Meditation helps you to focus your mind and relax your body.
When you meditate, you can meditate on any topic that is meaningful to you. You can think about what a beautiful day it is, the love in your heart, or the feeling of peace. Every time we meditate, we gain something new to bring into our everyday lives.
4. Practice Positive Affirmations
The best way to overcome fear is to face it. Practice thinking positive affirmations each day. For example, if you’re worried about the dentist and afraid of experiencing pain, tell yourself you can handle it, or you can get through this.
The more you practice positive affirmations, the more they will help you transform your thoughts and life. There are ways to use yoga poses and specific breathing techniques to help keep your mind focused on a positive statement.
Dental anxiety can be a real burden for some people. Try yoga if you suffer from it because it provides physical and mental healing. Yoga for dental anxiety is not just a great way to increase your focus. Still, it is also a physical exercise and mental practice that can help reduce dental anxiety and unnecessary stress.