Relaxation Dentistry 101

relax

So it was really hard writing about hypnosis and listening to Derrick Jeter being interviewed after the All-Star Game all at the same time. Of course, for starters, all I did to multi-task was close my eyes, slowly breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth Mr. Miyagi style, relaxing more deeply with every breath, and enhancing my awareness with every second. Turned out, Jeter was really classy and articulate and this is my second draft; the first one took about 30-minutes.

I’ve been using applications of hypnosis since way back before the Miracle on 34th Street, my stealth graduation from D-school at USC. When I started out here in Temple City and our schedule was often filled out with fictional and historical names, I had lots of time to practice doing hypnosis inductions on good sport patients who were really nervous about an impending dental experience. I tried out the techniques I’d learned in dental school most often to help folks calm down; I’d also give teeth grinding, tongue thrusting, and tooth movement a run for the money using hypnosis as a very cool tool in the toolbox. And…no one got hurt; not one single tongue laceration!

I still use waking-state suggestion to help patients who tend to gag; I also use my voice, my patient’s name, reassuring words, and repetition (along with plenty of humor) to help friends and family tolerate stuff like local anesthetic injections, THAT noise (I know you know which one), and the length of time spent in a dental chair.

My USC Hypnosis instructor was an amazing DDS/hypnotherapist named Gilbert Steingart.  And even though I wasn’t the quickest study in Trojan history, I realized G-Steingart’s patients were reeeally lucky; I wanted to be just like him. Steingart’s opening suggestion was that hypnosis compliance was directly related to intelligence…and the competition to become the best subject was totally on (I made it to the quarterfinals but got bounced when I didn’t see rabbit ears sprouting from the sides of my competitors’ heads.) What I learned is that with hypnosis, some amazing transformative things are possible when you really want them. But…you are ultimately in control of the whole process. I still remember my super-aware thought process from almost 40-years ago and when I heard I’d see rabbit ears, the process said, “I don’t think so.”

I’ve always thought hypnosis was just this side of the Holy Grail when it comes to awesome things seldom seen in dentistry. The whole concept of being coached to be totally in control…and present…and relaxed without drugs or side effects, to me, is pretty much the equivalent of my fantasy about eating double-doubles animal style any time you want and getting healthier and living longer in the process. Only hypnosis is no freakin’ fantasy; it works.

In the last few years, I’ve had the great opportunity to meet an amazing hypnotherapist and it would’ve never happened if I hadn’t overcome a fear of public speaking and started attending Pasadena Chamber breakfasts. Ted Moreno is a Certified Hypnotherapist, Success Performance Coach, and the author of “The Ultimate Guide to Letting Go of Negativity and Fear”. Ted specializes in helping people with anxiety, fears, and phobias and also helps people quit smoking. And Ted has made a major difference for our patients. It also helps that Ted is only minutes away when we need him.

Ted first made a difference for our TCDC friends and family by totally transforming a life…in one session. When we first met Jason, he hadn’t seen a dentist in some 13-years; his previous experiences were nightmarish. Even diagnostic attempts at dentistry such as an exam or x-rays couldn’t happen; a very sensitive gag was always the defining, absolute barrier. When I met Jason that first time, he was clearly frustrated; he really wanted help… and a smile that would replace the one he’d never used as an adult. I connected Jason with Ted; the rest is history.

Jason has had Invisalign and cosmetic care and he looks and feels like a million bucks; wouldn’t have happened without Ted and his understanding and expertise.

If you’re part of that 50% of Americans who don’t see a dentist on a regular basis and fear or frustration keeps you away, there might be a painless, drug-free answer that could help you change your own life.

And all it might take is your being open to being guided to relaxing deeply, enjoying the experience, and having what you want.