Overcoming Dental Anxiety

If you're like most people​, there's a good chance you have at least a bit of anxiety when it comes to dental visits. For some, this fear can be so overwhelming that continuing to suffer tooth pain sounds like a better option than coming in for the treatment they need. If this sounds like you, we have some tips and tricks that will make your dental appointments a breeze.

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Forget Everything Pop Culture Has Told You About Dentists
You know what we’re talking about - an outdated, dimly lit waiting room, a cranky receptionist, and a doctor who yanks out a molar before you’re even numb. We see it in movies and TV shows all the time, so how could we separate this image from reality? Sure, maybe back in the pre-World War II days, dental care was a bit primitive. But in modern offices with high standards for patient care like ours, all you have to do is sit back and relax. 
 
Don't Be Embarrassed - You’re Not Alone
Up to 15% of Americans are so scared of the dentist that they skip their preventative six-month appointments. What’s more frightening are the implications of neglecting your cleanings and checkups: maintaining your oral health can prevent heart attacks, diabetes, and strokes, just to name a few.  You don't have to be embarrassed to tell us about your fears. Once we know what they are, we can address and overcome them. In fact, that is one of our favorite parts of our job - taking the fear out of dentistry.
 
Options For Overcoming Dental Anxiety
There’s a variety of options for meeting all of your dental needs while addressing your worries at the same time. What works for one person may not work for another. It starts with a compassionate team that listens to, cares about, and addresses your worries. We also offer a comfort menu of options to help you relax, such as overhead TVs, music, and neck pillows. Patients with more severe anxiety or difficulty getting numb may also be interested in sedation. Here’s a quick guide to some of the common medications offered: 

• Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)​: Great for young children with dental anxiety, this medication is fast-acting, inhaled through the nose, and gives patients a pleasurable feeling while dulling pain.
• Oral sedation​: Have trouble getting numb? This can help! For the slightly more anxious, oral sedation takes an hour to set in and lasts up to four. The best part (besides the fact that your pain will be minimal) is that you’ll barely have memory of the procedure when all is said and done. 
• IV sedation​: This is for more severe cases of anxiety. IV sedation goes deeper than oral and the post-op discomfort is reduced even further.
• General anesthesia​: Commonly recommended for uncooperative children or those with developmental disabilities, general anesthesia is the deepest you can go in the world of sedation - that is, completely ​out.

Click here to learn more about our comfort options. 

Schedule a Worry-Free Consultation
If you or someone you care about struggles with dental anxiety, feel free to schedule a time to come to our practice, meet our team members, and get familiar with our office. We want you to feel safe and comfortable when you’re with us, and we’ll answer any questions you may have. For more information on reducing your dental anxiety, check our Dr. Carpenter’s new book, ​Dentistry That Doesn’t Bite​. Click here to reserve your copy.