Helping the Anxious Dental Patient

Has it been years since you’ve been to the dentist? Are you avoiding dental care due to anxiety, nervousness or fear? You may suffer from dental anxiety or dental phobia. While you are certainly not alone and dental anxiety is a very real condition, modern dentistry offers ways to help you overcome this obstacle so that you can get the dental care your smile needs to stay healthy.

Reasons for Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety can range in severity. Some may suffer from sweaty palms in the waiting room while others may have a paralyzing fear at the thought of sitting in a dental chair. For many, a bad experience as a child or teen helped to form their fear of the dentist. Consequently, the sights, sounds and smells of a dental office can heighten their anxiety. It is also possible for patients to have dental anxiety because they have a sensitive gag reflux. Regardless of what has caused your dental phobia or how severe your condition is, there is a safe and valued solution you need to consider.

Sedation Dentistry to the Rescue

Sedation dentistry has helped countless patients get the dental treatments they need and deserve, whether it is a routine cleaning, a root canal or a lengthy cosmetic procedure. Sedation dentistry is offered at various levels and methods, depending on your level of anxiety, your preference and the type of sedation your dentist offers.

Most modern dental practices offer oral sedation using a pill or sedative drug that you take before you come in for your appointment. With this form of sedation, you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home. However, patients of all ages benefit from nitrous oxide sedation, or laughing gas. This sweet-smelling gas is safely inhaled through a small nosepiece. It can be adjusted throughout the procedure and its effects wear off within minutes of removing the mask – making it possible to drive yourself home. Both forms of sedation dentistry allow patients to be completely relaxed yet able to communicate with the dentist if needed. In other words, you are conscious but not at all bothered by the work being done. Some don’t even remember the procedure when the sedation wears off.

The Long-Term Value of Sedation Dentistry

Why is sedation dentistry so important? If your dental anxiety is prohibiting you from getting routine dental care, both your oral health and body health are at great risk. Decay, gum disease and other dental problems that are left unchecked can quickly progress to produce very disruptive symptoms. Gum disease can not only cause tooth loss if not treated properly, but the infection can enter your bloodstream and compromise your overall health. Furthermore, studies show that a parent’s fear of the dentist is often passed down to their children. Do yourself and your family a favor and ask for sedation dentistry.

At the office of Dr. Tejal Kakade, we proudly offer sedation dentistry. We also equip our office with a number of amenities to help you relax as soon as you walk through our doors. There is no shame in admitting that you have dental anxiety – we promise we don’t take it personally. Our staff will do everything we can to change your perception of getting dental care!