How to Relieve Anxiety Before an Oral Surgery Procedure

Are you feeling nervous or apprehensive about your upcoming oral surgery procedure? This is normal for many people, especially since such procedures like wisdom teeth extraction are one of the first major surgeries a patient will face. The good news is, there are many ways you can help ease your anxiety before your appointment! Follow these 5 tips to help alleviate some pre-surgery jitters:   Talk with Your Oral Surgeon One of the best ways to alleviate stress before your surgery is to express your concerns to your oral surgeon. He or she will be happy to help talk you through your anxieties and demonstrate their knowledge and experience about the procedure. Knowing you’re in capable hands can help calm your nerves.   Have an Anesthesia Option Ready While anesthesia is designed to ensure you have a relaxing and comfortable surgery, knowing you’ll be receiving these services can help ease your anxieties beforehand. Your oral surgeon may also prescribe you anti-anxiety oral sedation, which you can take a few hours before your scheduled appointment.   Understand the Steps of Your Surgery Another way to calm any nerves you have about your procedure is to understand what to expect. You can research on your own, but it may be best to ask your oral surgeon to walk you through the general steps of your surgery. You can feel more comfortable about surgery once you’re informed of the process.   Practice Breathing Techniques To help physically calm your body and mind, you may want to try special breathing techniques or meditation. These help you focus on something other than your anxiety or upcoming appointment. These exercises also encourage deeper breathing, which will increase your supply of oxygen and calm you down.   Listen to Your Favorite Playlist In the days or hours leading up to your procedure, have your favorite tunes ready for a quick listen anytime you’re feeling anxious. Familiar songs can help you feel calm and distract our minds from surgery.   Schedule Your Appointment If you’re still feeling anxious after completing these steps, be sure to reach out to our oral surgeon. Schedule your appointment today!