subject: With Help From Your Dentist In Baltimore, You Can Overcome Dental Anxiety [print this page] Have you ever skipped your dental appointment because you felt anxious or scared? With help from your Baltimore dentist and his team of dental professionals, in addition to the use of sedation dentistry, your fears and anxieties can be eliminated. With advancements in dentistry and help from your dentist, you no longer have to avoid the dentist or experience anxiety while in the waiting room, or treatment room. Sedation is used to establish a relaxed, easy and calm state through the use of sedatives, which can be administered orally and intravenously. By talking to your dentist today, you can establish an effective treatment plan without experiencing dental anxiety.
Why do People Have Anxiety About Dental Visits?
People are often anxious about going to the dentist for an array of different reasons, including worrying about the effectiveness of localized anesthetic and feeling that the dentist is rushed. Other factors might include the anticipation of pain, negative past experiences, and even the sterile smell of a dental office. The interruption of a person's normal daily routine to visit the dentist can also trigger anxiety in patients. If not addressed, dental anxiety can lead to unnecessary oral health problems, which can lead to much more time spent in the dental chair for treatment.
If you are nervous about an upcoming dental visit, you can curb your anxiety by:*Sharing your fears.*Focusing on breathing regularly and slowly during dental procedures.*Avoiding caffeine before a dental appointment.*Eating high-protein foods which can produce a calming effect*Bringing a friend or family member with you to the appointment*Asking a friend or family member for recommendations on a dentist.Communication is KeyStudies have proven that the most important factor in overcoming dental anxiety is good dentist-patient communication. It is only natural for people to feel some level of anxiety when visiting their dentist. However, if personal anxiety is preventing access to needed care, you should have a discussion with your dentist before any treatment has been started. By establishing trust at the beginning of treatment, patients are kept informed and in control throughout the entire process to calm dental anxiety. One option for communication is for patients to use hand signals throughout a procedure. When a patient feels uncomfortable, he or she can signal to the dentist to stop the procedure. This method empowers the patient and makes visiting the dentist less stressful for them. Oral and IV Sedation Help Keep You CalmOral sedation is one of the most commonly used techniques in the United States and requires no needles. Through the use of oral sedation, your dentist in Baltimore can properly maintain an active level of consciousness for safety and cooperation during your procedure. During oral sedation you are not asleep; rather you are in a relaxed state of mind. With oral sedation, you can receive the care you need without experiencing the anxiety that might cause you to avoid treatment. IV (intravenous) sedation induces a state of deep relaxation and a feeling of not being bothered about what is going on around you. The onset of action with IV sedation is very rapid and the dosage can be tailored to meet your individual needs. IV sedation is both highly effective and highly reliable, which helps you to receive extensive treatment without experience discomfort or fear. It is important to talk with your Baltimore dentist regarding your dental fears and the methods available to reduce pain and anxieties. With proper planning and consultation your dentist will create a proper treatment plan, including the use of sedation methods to control pain and anxiety commonly experienced. by: Gen Wright