What You Should Know About Dental Anxiety

If you experience fear when you are faced with the prospect of having to visit your dentist

, you are not alone. As much as 20% of the population of the United States suffers from the same fear and in many cases avoid going to the dentist at all. Avoiding the dentist can lead to a multitude of problems including tooth decay, gum disease and even more serious problems. By having an honest conversation with your dentist, he or she will be able to offer you treatment that can make you feel more comfortable and reduce your feelings of anxiousness.

What Are The Causes Of Dental Anxiety?

While many people experience dental anxiety, there are a few common causes of it among patients. Here are some of the most frequent causes of dental anxiety:

*Fear of pain. This is perhaps the most common reason for dental anxiety. There is a stigma associated with dental work that makes patients feel like they will experience a great deal of pain. However, advances in modern dentistry have made seeing the dentist an almost pain-free experience every visit.

*Fear of anesthesia or that it won't work. Some dental procedures require the use of local anesthesia to numb the area around your teeth. Many people experience fear of an injection or that the anesthetic wont work and they will feel pain during the procedure. These fears are unfounded, as your dentist is specially trained to make your procedure painless.

*Fear of loss of control. When patients sit down in their dentist's chair, they feel like they are losing control of what is happening to them. To prevent this, communication with your dentist is essential to understand exactly what your dentist is doing.

Sedation Dentistry

After discussing your anxiety with your dentist, one of the treatment options he or she may recommend is a form of sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry is a practice that uses medicine to fully relax you during your dental procedure. By doing this, your fear of visiting the dentist will begin to melt away and you will feel totally relaxed in your dentist's chair. Although you will feel extremely relaxed, you will never fully lose consciousness. This way, you will be free to respond to your dentist's commands and questions. Here are some of the most common forms of sedation:

*Oral Sedation. In this method, your dentist will prescribe you a pill that you will take prior to your appointment. After taking it, your anxiety will disappear and you will be able to successfully complete your dental appointment.

*Nitrous Oxide. Also know as 'laughing gas', nitrous oxide sedation is another popular form of sedation. You simply breathe in the nitrous oxide and almost instantaneously will feel a sense of relaxation.

To learn more about how to deal with dental anxiety or to schedule an appointment, contact your dentist in Bucktown today.

by: Gen Wright

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