A dentist can help you get past your dental anxiety if you are like many people who avoid getting dental treatments. People who struggle with dental anxiety are less likely to visit a dentist regularly, which means they are more susceptible to dental issues like gum disease and tooth decay. Dental checkups are an important part of preventing oral issues from developing and fixing them before things get out of hand.
Pain is often the determining factor that pushes people with dental phobias to finally get the treatment that they need. At this point, their dental bills are likely to be higher than they would have been if the issue had been treated early. Dental anxiety can be caused by things like:
Dentists deal with dental anxiety quite often, and they have a variety of options at their disposal when it comes to helping patients get past their fears. The ways that a dentist can help patients overcome dental phobia include the following.
For some people, it is a fear of injections that keeps them away from dental clinics. While it might seem like a small issue, dentists always take it seriously because people with such fears can faint as a response or lose blood pressure.
Dentists can make the process of getting an injection more pleasant for such patients by using topical anesthetics. A gel or cream is applied to the area that will be injected so the patient does not feel the needle going in. Dentists can also use painless needles, which are less painful due to their smaller diameter.
Dentists also use sedatives to help keep patients with dental phobias relaxed during treatments. Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a commonly used sedative. It is delivered through a nose mask and takes effect within minutes. It leaves the patient conscious, but with feelings of happiness and euphoria. Other sedatives used to treat dental anxiety include oral sedatives, IV sedatives, deep sedation, and general anesthesia.
Some patients are intimidated by the sounds and appearance of the machines and tools used by dentists. Children are more likely to have such fears, and dentists help them get past that by using smaller, less noisy tools when working on them. Tools like lasers can also be used so patients won't have to deal with noisy dental drills.
Dentists can discuss dental anxiety with their patients, and they can teach them ways to cope with the stress. Call or visit our Albuquerque clinic to learn more about how our dentist can help you get past your dental phobia.
Request an appointment here: https://familychoicedentistry.com or call Family Choice Dental at (505) 634-5657 for an appointment in our Albuquerque office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Anxiety in Albuquerque, NM.
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