If you have dental anxiety you are more likely to avoid the dentist, which can have dire consequences. Don’t avoid the dentist because you’re afraid of what the appointment might be like, ask us about sedation dentistry today! 

What is Dental Anxiety?

A term to describe the fear or stress caused by being in a dental setting is known as dental anxiety. Dental anxiety has been known to be associated with certain triggers, like the fear of needles, drills, or dentist offices in general. When this fear becomes so severe and results in an avoidance of the dentist altogether, it’s known as dental phobia. 

Better Health lists the signs and symptoms of dental anxiety:

• Sweating
• Racing heartbeat or palpitations
• Low blood pressure and possible fainting 
• Visible distress, crying, or signs of panic
• Withdrawal or using humor or aggression to mask anxiety 

Further, some anxious patients will routinely miss dental appointments and find it hard to undergo treatment whether it is simple or complex. 

Better Health further explains that this anxiety can affect your oral health in a variety of ways. First, you risk worsening dental issues if you consistently skip dental appointments. You also put yourself at a greater likelihood of needing emergency dental care of complex, intensive treatment. 

Causes of Dental Anxiety

A person might have dental anxiety for a few different reasons. Common reasons a person might have anxiety about going to the dentist include:

• A fear of pain, which is one of the most common reasons for avoiding the dentist. This fear usually comes from an early dental experience that was unpleasant or from stories told by others. Thankfully, due to many modern advances in dentistry, most procedures are considerably less painful then they once were.
• Fear of injections or fear that an injection won’t work. Many people hate needles, especially when that needle is going into their mouth. However, many people fear that the anesthesia won’t take effect before the dental procedure begins. 
• A fear of side effects. Some people fear the potential side effects receiving anesthesia, like dizziness or feeling a little queasy. 
• Feeling helpless and not having control is another common fear that causes dental anxiety. It is common for people with these emotions to suffer from dental anxiety since they will be sitting in a dental chair with their mouths open, unable to see what exactly is going on. 
• Embarrassment and loss of personal space, which can make people feel uncomfortable. Many people feel self-conscious about the appearance and health condition of their teeth, or just uncomfortable in cereal about the physical closeness of the dentist and hygienist to their face.

Easing Dental Fear with Sedation Dentistry

At Mountain Aire Dentistry, we understand that not everyone is going to feel comfortable in the dentist’s office. Many people suffer from dental anxiety or just feeling nervous about their upcoming treatments. To help you feel more at ease during your appointment with us, we offer oral sedation dentistry. 

Sedation dentistry is the use of sedatives to help create a more relaxed and comfortable dental visit. Some sedation options include drugs that help control pain, while others are meant to help you relax, and other kinds can even put you into a deep sleep-like state during your treatment. The American Dental Association explains that the type of your procedure, your health history, allergies, and your anxiety level all come into play when your dentist determines the best approach for your case. 

Sedation Dentistry: Oral Conscious Sedation

Conscious sedation is a treatment option that allows us to help you reduce your anxiety levels, your discomfort levels, along with your pain levels, during your upcoming procedure. It is most commonly used in dentistry for patients that feel anxious, stressed, or panicked during procedures like fillings, root canals, and even routine cleanings. 

Here at Mountain Aire Dentistry, we most commonly offer oral conscious sedation, which is a form of sedation where the patient will take a sedative pill before their appointment. By the time the appointment begins, you will feel more relaxed and at ease. Oral sedation is a type of conscious sedation, meaning that you will not be unconscious; however, you may not remember all of the details of your treatment. We also require patients that undergo oral conscious sedation bring a driver to assist in getting them home after their appointment. 

Make an Appointment with Mountain Aire Dentistry

Our professional and caring team will make certain that you are as comfortable as possible throughout your time in our office. To learn more about your options, contact our office today by calling us at (303)-731-7755.