Sedation Dentistry Eases Fear of Dentist
Dentophobia or to have a dental phobia means one is afraid of the dentist. We don’t mean to be a little nervous. We mean a serious case of fear that keeps people from going. So many people fear the dentist, and according to reports, 75% of the population does not want to go.
Anxiety and dentist-related fear can be a big deal and causes serious health risks if patients stop seeing the dentist. You can have faith in 32 Pearls that they have the tools of sedation dentistry to combat anxiety symptoms to ease your dentist-related fears.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is used for anxiety treatment during dental procedures by oral medications that relax patients. It makes it easier for them to sit through their appointments without feeling anxious or fearing any pain or discomfort from procedures performed on them by their dentists or hygienists.
Sedatives are commonly used in hospitals, too, as they help patients relax during stressful times like surgery or childbirth. It’s safe for use in children too! Sedation dentistry has been proven effective as studies show that it improves patient satisfaction levels with their dental treatments because they don’t feel as much pain.
Why do people fear the dentist?
The most common cause of dental phobia is bad experiences during childhood or adolescence. For example, an accident or injury at the dentist’s office can make you fear going back there again. Another cause could be an unconscious memory triggered by treatment at the dentist’s office. The good news is that the fear can be overcome with sedation dentistry!
Signs that you may have dental phobia.
Insomnia, nervousness, shortness of breath, and increased pulse rate are symptoms experienced by patients with dentistry-related anxiety. Sedation dentistry is an alternative solution for those who suffer from these problems when visiting their local dentist or oral surgeon for procedures such as root canal treatment, oral surgery, and wisdom teeth removal.
Sedation dentistry uses medications such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas), Valium, or Ativan, which our sedation specialist administers before your procedure begins. These medications help you relax and feel more comfortable during treatment by creating an environment where you feel safe.
How is sedation dentistry administered?
Sedation dentistry is administered through an intravenous sedation technique using an oral medication called Versed (midazolam). Versed is often given along with nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Both drugs are safe when used in controlled environments such as our office.
At our office, a staff member monitors you during your treatment process. We think of it as having your own personal guardian standing with you during your procedure. According to the procedure and the sedating medicine, you might need a driver to take you home afterward. We’ll let you know if this is necessary before the day you arrive.
If you are one who suffers from severe anxiety when visiting the dentist, then sedation dentistry might be right for you. Sedation dentistry has been proven effective at calming patients down so they can receive needed dental care without being uncomfortable or frightened. With sedation dentistry options available, there is no reason why anyone should ever have to suffer through an appointment with their local dentist again!
Dentist phobia is real, but there are ways to get past it!
The first step in overcoming your fear of dentists is knowing why you’re afraid. Do you hate needles? Is surgery too much for you? Are you worried about pain? Do you hate the sound of drills? Many people are afraid because they don’t understand what goes on during their appointment or how much work needs to be done when they need a lot of work done. It’s important for patients to know what’s going on so that they can feel more relaxed about their appointments and less anxious about visiting their dentist officehe use of sedation dentistry for those with dental phobias or those who have experienced trauma in the past makes sense as it allows them to relax and feel safe during their treatment. This can be a huge advantage for those who have experienced trauma or abuse in their past which causes them to be anxious about going to the dentist. For example: Some patients suffer from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) from previous experiences such as accidents, abuse or violence which make them anxious about going to the dentist.
Tell the staff at 32 Pearls if you have generalized anxiety disorder, have a fear of the dentist, or have anxiety about your procedure. We are happy to talk to you and together, we will find a way to make your visit more comfortable.