There are many patients that avoid seeing their dentist but can’t explain why other than the feeling of fear. The official name for this feeling is dental phobia. Dental phobia is a real issue for patients and can be the start to the decline of their oral health. That’s why your dentist provides helpful sedation dentistry to help patients receive the dental care they truly need.
Why Patients Have Dental Phobia
When it comes to avoiding the dental office, researchers have found a few common reasons why patients may not receive their dental work.
Pain
The fear of pain is most common in adults 24 years and older. This may be because their early dental visits happened before many of the advances in dentistry. Today’s modern technology and medications help to create positive dental experiences.
Feelings of helplessness and loss of control
Many people develop phobias about specific situations such as walking across a high bridge or being stuck in small spaces. When you’re in a dental chair, you have to stay still to receive your dental work. They may feel they can’t see what’s going on or predict what’s going to hurt. It’s common for people to feel helpless and out of control, which easily triggers anxiety.
Embarrassment
The mouth is an intimate part of the body. People may feel ashamed or embarrassed to have a stranger looking inside of it, especially if they haven’t had their teeth cleaned in a while. Dental treatments also require physical closeness, which is why we encourage keeping your dental appointments to form a bond with your regular dentist.
Negative past experiences
Anyone who has had pain or discomfort during a past dental visit is likely to be more anxious the next time around.
You May Have Dental Phobia if:
- You feel tense or have trouble sleeping the night before a dental exam.
- You get increasingly nervous while you’re in the waiting room.
- You feel like crying when you think of going to the dentist. The sight of dental instruments — or of white-coated personnel in the dentist’s office — increases your anxiety.
- The thought of a dental visit makes you feel physically ill.
- You panic or have trouble breathing when objects are placed in your mouth during a dental appointment.
How can a dentist help you?
Can a dentist help you overcome your dental phobia? Depending on your level of fear or anxiety, a dentist could potentially administer these forms of sedation.
Nitrous Oxide
Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is used mainly to ease light dental anxiety. It has an almost instant effect on the patient to quickly relax them for minor cleanings and mild procedures. Dentists place a mask over the patient’s nose that pushes a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen that quickly takes effect after several steady breaths.
Oral Sedation
Exactly as it sounds, oral sedation is an oral medication that sends patients into a drowsy state. Although the patient is not completely unconscious, there is little to no memory of a procedure and lasts a short period of time. Not only does oral sedation dentistry benefit the patient who feels less anxiety and dental phobia, it also allows the dentist to work without any distractions.
If you’re nervous about your next dental appointment, feel free to ask your local dentist about sedation.
About Our Office
At David A. Tripulas, DDS, Inc., our dental team works hard to ensure every patient feels welcome and relaxed from the moment they arrive at our practice. This is especially for patients that don’t normally feel comfortable with dental practices. Feel free to call our office to schedule your next dental visit.