Dental anxiety is a pretty common issue. According to the Cleveland Clinic, approximately 36% of people experience dental phobia, making them anxious about receiving needed treatment. About 12% of those people are said to have an extreme fear. This dental phobia makes it challenging for the patient to come to the dentist. While most dentists will do their best to make the patient feel at ease, it’s still hard to do so and ensure they get the care they need.
Thankfully, there are tools available for overcoming dental phobia and getting dental care. The most common solution is sedation dentistry, which we proudly offer here at Smith Dental Care.
As with any phobia, dental phobia is an uncontrollable and persistent fear of going to the dentist. It may seem irrational to others, but to the person experiencing the anxiety, it is very real. Those with dental phobia may experience anything from mild anxiety to crippling fear that prevents them from seeking care.
What is Dental Phobia?
They may fear different aspects of the dental visit, including just sitting in the chair. Some worry about pain, needles and drills, not being in control, or just not knowing what to expect. It may come from a traumatic experience, or it may not be based on any prior encounter.
How Dental Phobia Affects Dental Care
Those who do experience dental phobia often put off their dental care because of the anxiety. Some will not go to the dentist until they have an emergent situation, and others may struggle with every visit. The inability to maintain proper oral health can lead to gum disease, tooth loss, and other dental issues.
Leaving dental needs untreated can contribute to a host of other health issues as well, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Dental care is critical.
Overcoming Dental Phobia with Sedation Dentistry
One of the best ways to make a customer feel more at ease while they visit the dentist is with sedation dentistry. With the options available, a patient can prepare for the visit and remain calm throughout any cleaning or procedure that is needed. It also helps to use a dentist’s office that makes you feel comfortable to the best of their ability. When you combine sedation solutions with optimal care and treatment, you get wonderful results.
The most commonly used forms of sedation are as follows:
- Nitrous oxide: also known as laughing gas, this is the most common sedation choice. It’s breathed in through a mask on your nose and will make you feel relaxed and euphoric. The sedation wears off almost immediately when the mask is removed.
- Oral sedation: take an oral medication prior to coming to the office so that you feel relaxed and calm before you even come in. This may help calm you enough to get to the office. Some medications may cause drowsiness and grogginess.
- IV sedation: the other option is IV sedation, which enters your bloodstream directly through an IV. It’s a heavy sedation that may even make you fall asleep. It is controlled throughout the entire process, and it works quickly. You may feel some lasting effects after an IV as well.
Sedation dentistry allows the patient to get the care they need and provides the dentist with the solutions to help you get taken care of.
Let Smith Dental Care Work with You Through Dental Anxiety
Overcoming dental phobia can certainly be challenging, but know that you are not alone. There are solutions for you to get the dental care you need and feel safe and relaxed while you do.
Let Smith Dental Care help you through it. With our sedation dentistry solutions and an office that truly cares about making our patients feel comfortable, we can help you find the best solution. Contact us today to learn more!
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