https://midcitiesdental.com/contact-us-today/Many people inherit their fear of the dentist from their parents or other family members who had a bad experience. Or they themselves had a painful appointment many years ago and have done all they can to avoid seeing a dentist for as long as possible. Dental sedation is something that this available for everyone to help with your fear and anxiety.
Emily’s Story
Emily grew up hearing the horrible tales her mom suffered at the dentist’s office. Therefore her mother never took her to see the dentist until Emily was in her late teens. Emily had a lot of anxiety and fear of the dentist at that point just because she had nothing but her mother’s stories and her own imagination to make things worse.
At Emily’s first dental appointment, she didn’t experience any pain but a staff member lectured her on the pain it could cause her if she didn’t do a better job of taking care of her teeth. She was embarrassed and felt judged. The dentist told her she had a couple of small cavities that needed to be filled and the beginning of gum disease. This required more dental appointments to take care of the issues. All she heard was this will cause you pain. So she didn’t go back.
A few years later, Emily ended up with a tooth infection. She called a new dentist’s office and explained her fears ahead of time. They sent her some information that day to help her understand her options and things she could do before her appointment to lessen her stress.
Emily took her best friend with her for emotional support (something the dentist’s office had recommended). When she met the dentist and staff the next morning, they were all friendly, understanding, and sympathetic to her story. The dentist explained the different options she had. They had different types of dental sedation available and would help her choose the best option. Then they took care of the infected tooth. Emily was calm and didn’t feel any pain during the procedure! Now she is much more comfortable with dental care and is on her way to a healthy happy smile.
Here are some things you can do to help lessen your fear of the dentist:
- Tell your dentist about your fears and anxiety. Understand that anxiety and fears are normal. Also, don’t assume the worst. Our dental staff can explain your options and procedures ahead of time and answer questions.
- If you have severe anxiety, you should consider dental sedation (see more bout this below).
- Educate yourself about dental procedures. You can read or watch videos which can make you feel more comfortable about what may happen.
- Bring a friend or family member with you to your appointment for emotional support.
- Try deep breathing or visualization techniques to help you relax before and during your appointment.
- Get plenty of rest, physical activity, and a healthy diet to improve your overall mental state of mind.
- Make sure to see the dentist on a yearly basis so that you keep on top of your dental health. This also helps you get to know and feel comfortable with your dentist.
- Make sure to brush and floss after snacks and meals, to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
What type of dental sedation is available?
- Laughing gas (Nitrous Oxide) is the most commonly used type of dental sedation. This puts you into a twilight state to cause relaxation. Therefore, this will make dental procedures less uncomfortable. It does NOT knock you out, but you may feel ready for a nap.
- Oral Sedation is another type of dental sedation. You will have to take medication before you come into your appointment. Once you arrive at our office, your dentist will assess you to determine if you need another dose. You may fall asleep during your procedure, which is perfectly safe and normal.
Your dentist will determine whether light or heavy dental sedation is necessary for your procedure.
IV sedation is another dental sedation option that can be arranged by referring you to a different dentist’s office that offers this service. This is rarely used in dental procedures, but some patients may require it for advanced surgeries.
Don’t let your fear of the dentist keep you away from a happy healthy smile!
Dental sedation has minimal negative side effects and it’s a straightforward process. If you are concerned about your own dental anxiety and want to talk to us about it, don’t be afraid to bring up your concerns to our office. We offer free consultations.