subject: Steps To Overcome Dental Anxiety [print this page] A surprisingly large proportion of the population report that they are afraid of going to the dentist. If you are one of these people, you need to confront your fear and find a solution to it. If you totally neglect going to the dentist, your oral health can greatly suffer. Plaque buildup can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and more serious problems that can be both painful and costly to fix. An important thing to remember if you are suffering from dental anxiety is that you are not alone. Some estimate that up to 20 percent of Americans experience some form of dental anxiety. Many of these people have acknowledged their problem and felt better about going to the dentist by a series of steps. By talking to your dentist about your fear, you will be much more likely to overcome it.
Communication With Your Dentist Is Key
The most important thing you can do to combat your anxiety is talk to your dentist about it. Since dental anxiety is so prevalent, your dentist has undoubtedly dealt with the problem before and will have had training to alleviate your anxiety. However, if you remain silent, your dentist will have no idea that you are experiencing any anxiety and will not be able to help you. If he or she is aware of your anxiety, they can ask you if you are comfortable during the procedure and can be especially careful to avoid doing anything that will make you uncomfortable. In addition, simply asking your dentist what they are doing during the procedure can help you relax. If you know what is coming and what is happening, you will feel calmer.
Sedation Dentistry
For some people, simple communication techniques are not enough to overcome their dental anxiety. If you fall into this category, you may want to ask your dentist about the practice of sedation dentistry. A growing field, sedation dentistry allows you to take medication that will fully relax you and get rid of your anxiety. The most popular and easiest method is oral sedation. After discussing the process with your dentist, he or she will prescribe a pill for you to take shortly before your scheduled procedure. Once the pill takes effect, you will feel completely relaxed and your dentist will be able to perform the dental work that you need done. Although you will be extremely calm and relaxed, you will never fully lose consciousness. Because of this, you will be able to respond to your dentist's commands and requests. Other options for sedation include IV sedation or nitrous oxide sedation, otherwise known as "laughing gas". Talk to your dentist to see what options are available to you.
To learn more about how to fight dental anxiety or to schedule an appointment, contact your Mesa, AZ dentist today.
