### Hypnotherapy for Dental Pain and Anxiety Hypnotherapy is becoming more popular as a method to control behavior and pain, including dental pain and anxiety. Unlike the stage hypnosis you might see in entertainment, clinical hypnosis involves putting yourself in a relaxed, focused state where you are more open to suggestions. This can help manage pain, anxiety, sleep problems, and even nausea. **How It Works** A trained hypnotherapist will guide you into a trance-like state, often by having you focus on an object or point while suggesting that you feel calm and focused. Over time, you can learn to induce this state yourself and use it to manage your symptoms. **Effectiveness** Scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of hypnosis for pain control. For example, at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), patients undergoing bone marrow transplants are offered hypnosis as an option to manage symptoms like pain and nausea. Hypnosis has also been shown to help with dental procedures. Some people have even undergone tooth extractions using only hypnosis for pain control. **Who Can Benefit?** Most people (about 90%) are somewhat hypnotizable. If you can concentrate well and engage in imaginative processes like daydreaming, you might be a good candidate for hypnotherapy. However, it’s not recommended for people with severe depression or cognitive impairments. **Limitations** It's important to note that hypnosis is not a standalone treatment but a supplement to other treatments. For dental issues, you will still need to see a dentist for procedures, but hypnosis can help manage the pain and anxiety associated with these treatments. **Finding a Qualified Hypnotherapist** If you're interested in trying hypnotherapy, make sure to find a qualified hypnotherapist who is also trained to treat your specific condition. Reputable organizations like the Society of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis or the American Society for Clinical Hypnosis can provide referrals. In summary, hypnotherapy can be a valuable tool for managing dental pain and anxiety, but it should be used in conjunction with traditional medical treatments.