Did you know that an estimated 75% of all adults in the US experience some level of dental-related fear or anxiety? If you fall into this camp, you probably understand all too well just how anxiety-inducing visiting the dentist can be, regardless of the reason for your appointment! But this fear of dental care can be quite problematic, as it’s often the reason behind patients prolonging necessary oral care and letting nasty problems progress. Keep reading to learn a little more about dental phobias and how sedation dentistry is one of the best means for addressing the issue.
Breaking Down Dental Phobias
To put it simply, dental phobia is characterized by extreme fear, stress, or anxiety that results from visiting or even merely thinking about visiting the dentist. It can affect patients of all ages and walks of life, and it’s been officially recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. It’s also quite easy to diagnose since the symptoms are usually obvious. A few of these common symptoms include things like sweating, heart palpitations, low blood pressure, possible fainting, and other visible signs of panic.
In some circumstances, the condition can be so debilitating that patients entirely avoid visiting the dentist—even if they’re experiencing severe oral pain! That said, it’s worth mentioning a few notable causes for the condition, which include but aren’t limited to the following:
- A traumatic dental experience in the past or other healthcare experience.
- Previous trauma to the head and/or neck.
- Generalized anxiety, depression, or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
- Fear of loss of control.
- Trust issues or the mindset that the mouth is a personal area, and accessing the mouth is an invasion of one’s personal space.
Sedation Dentistry: The Secret to Conquering Dental-Related Anxiety
The bottom line is that prolonging dental care, whether it’s due to dental-related anxiety or some other cause, is never wise as it drastically increases the chances of severe problems developing. This is where sedation dentistry comes into play; it allows dentists to carry out the necessary care easily and efficiently on patients who suffer from dental phobias. Your dentist can use different means of sedation to make treatment easier for all parties involved, including options like nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral conscious sedation, or even using intravenous (IV) sedation.
Other Ways to Effectively Manage Dental Phobia
Sedation dentistry is arguably the best way of managing dental phobias; however, it’s far from the only way! Here are some other tips you might consider if you or a loved one suffers from this condition:
- Consider utilizing deep breathing exercises, meditation, or other types of relaxation techniques before your visit.
- Distractions during the visit can be useful too, including music, white noise, guided imagery, television, etc. Many dental offices have these sorts of amenities for their patients!
- Agreeing with your dentist on a signal to stop treatment for a break (such as raising your hand).
- Hypnotherapy, or even referral to a psychologist can prove beneficial as well.
About the Practice
The team at Beck Dental Care of Columbia is thrilled to provide an unmatched level of care for patients and families in the Columbia, TN community. The practice offers a comprehensive range of services including preventive, cosmetic, and restorative options. They’re also pleased to offer sedation dentistry for patients with dental phobias. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to set up a visit for you or a loved one, you can contact the practice through their website or over the phone for additional information or assistance. Telephone: (931) 236-2141.