« Music Therapy | Fingertips Home | More Middle-Aged People Use CAM »

October 24, 2005

Massage For Dental Anxiety

Dentists are using more techniques to get patients into the chair. "Dental Spas" are the new wave in dentistry that is using warm blankets and foot rubs to get people to relax.

The American Dental Association estimates that 21 percent of the population suffers from dental anxiety.

My dentist uses microwave neck pillows and in the winter, blankets. They keep your lips moisturized and offer juice or water after the procedure.

Another side effect of dental work is jaw discomfort. Any procedures that require novocaine injections and extensive time with your mouth wide open is going to make your jaws ache. Massage to muscles of the jaws such as the medial and lateral pterygoid muscles can ease tension and help you get your equilibrium back after extensive dental work.

Chronic problems such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD) or grinding your teeth can be helped with massage. So if you have dental anxiety, massage may be able to help you relax before you go in, and help you recuperate after you're finished.

Posted by linda at October 24, 2005 11:54 AM