Anxious feelings before a dental surgery can sometimes grow into pure panic. At the very least, you will be trying to cope with having an uneasy feeling, when you already have the procedure itself to go through. If you are looking to reduce the anxiety you feel before an upcoming oral surgery, consider taking the following precautionary steps:
1. Educate Yourself On the Process
Make sure to ask your oral surgeon questions about the parts of the surgery you are nervous about. Surgery-related anxieties are often caused by misunderstandings about how the procedures are done. Instead of assuming the worst about the process, find out what it will actually entail. You are probably not the first person to have these worries, and doctors are trained to ease the minds of their patients.
Don't let exaggerated horror stories from your friends and family members get into your head. Dental procedures often change over time. Something that was once a painful exerience might not be so bad anymore. Regardless of if you're getting dental implants or your wisdom teeth removed, oral surgeries have improved greatly over the years due to technological and scietific advances.
2. Handle All Pre-Surgery Responsibilities
The most important part of this step is following all pre-surgery directions you are given by your doctor. This will include everything from food limitations, to avoiding smoking within a certain amount of time before surgery. Whatever the requirements may be, following them will reduce the risk of complications, which means you will have less to worry about.
Properly preparing for your surgery will help you lessen your anxiety. If the surgery interferes with any other responsibilities you have, make sure to get the coverage you need so you don't have to worry about them. This might include getting someone to cover your shifts at work, scheduling a babysitter, or whatever else will help you keep your focus on the surgery.
3. Think About the Benefits
There's a good chance that your oral surgery will result in you having a better bite, less mouth pain, or a better aesthetic look. This benefit is probably why you agreed to go through with the procedure to begin with. Remembering that, and focusing on the positive results, will help you feel less anxious about any negative aspects of the surgery. You may even be able to turn that dread into excitement by imagining the great results you will experience.