Dental Appointment Anxiety

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I have a dental appointment in a few days and I'm nervous because of the digital x-rays. It's been a while since I had to go off to college to get my bachelor's degree. I go through a gag reflex as a result of them and want to know if there are any tips, hints, and information to help this or if there are any alternatives you know that dentists can help for patients. Responses would be appreciative.

Why are you afraid of the x-rays? For the most part they do not produce any pain; unlike drilling & filling a tooth cavity or extracting a tooth. Many Aspies report that when they place the lead apron on you for the x-ray, that is it almost like wearing a weighted blanket and it helps to calm a person.

It is not the pain I see that is an issue. I have had a history of my gag reflex getting in the way during the digital x-rays and I want to know if there are any tips available for handing that.

Perhaps chewing on a hard ginger biscuit would help - ginger suppresses nausea. Else sucking on a peppermint sweet might do the trick. Meditating on something else might work - focusing on something far removed from a dentist's chair.

As with a hospital, I find the various disinfectant and other smells in a dentist's office can be a tad overwhelming. Could it be these smells rather than the actual x-ray process causing the reflex?

May be a distraction technique like counting backwards by threes

I can relate, I find many dental procedures uncomfortable. It is good that you are planning ahead for how to make them more manageable.
I think your dentist and mine might be using different equipment for digital X-Rays? Is it a 2 cm square card on a rod that you hold with your teeth? You will need to identify what is triggering the gag reflex. If its the taste, you can ask them to wash it off or bring something with you that has a different taste. Same for smell. If its holding something in your mouth, you can practice at home with something the same size/shape. (I learned to swallow pills by practicing with M&Ms, yum!) Figure out what is causing the reaction.
Worry is the interest paid on trouble before it is due. If you can't change it, toss the through out each time it pops up. If you can do something, do it!
Thanks for posting!

IR

most dentists can prescribe medication like Valium or Ativan to reduce anxiety prior to an appointment. You may wish to call the dentist and ask if you can get a prescription for one or two tablets prior to your visit.

I've had similar problems with the dentists. The drills they use are always painful for me. Even with the anesthetics. I've just kinda got over it. I guess.. I woudn't be suprised if this is a common thing for people on the spectrum my brother has similiar problems with the dentists but he too has seem to have gotten better at it. s