3 Tips For Dealing With A Major Dental Phobia
Visiting a dentist for exams and routine cleanings and care is an essential part of good oral health. But there are many people who suffer from a real phobia of the dentist, and they may avoid seeking dental care at all costs. If you suffer from dental anxiety, it is in your best interest to confront your fear and find a way to get dental care in order to ensure that your teeth and gums are in good condition. Use the following tips to help you visit the dentist if you have a phobia or anxiety:
Look for a Dentist Who Specializes in Patients with Dental Fear
If you have a true fear of the dentist, you are not alone. It has been estimated that as many as 9% to 15% of Americans completely avoid seeing a dentist due to being scared or experiencing feelings of stress or anxiety about going to a dental appointment. Dentists realize that dental phobias exists, and a number of dentists now specialize in treating fearful patients. A dentist who works with fearful patients makes a great effort into making the entire experience of a dental exam and procedures as comfortable as possible, while attempting to minimize triggers that upset fearful patients. A dentist who knows that you are facing a major fear is also more likely to explain each step of what he or she is doing, so you know what to expect.
Learn Relaxation Techniques
The mind can be a very powerful thing, and utilizing relaxation techniques may help you control the fear and stress of a dental appointment For some people, meditation can help them get through dental appointments, while others rely on deep, controlled breathing, or guided imagery where you put a lot of mental focus into creating a mental image of a very pleasant experience so you don't focus on what is going on during your dental exam or procedure.
Consider Sedation Dentistry
If your fear of the dentist runs deep, sedation dentistry may be the best solution. Sedation dentistry typically uses either medication taken orally to help sedate you and feel calm during dental procedures or IV sedation that typically acts faster and allows your dentist to adjust the level of your sedation. When you choose sedation dentistry, you are not unconscious like general anesthesia, but you will be very relaxed, and there is a good chance that you won't remember the dental procedure. Talk with a dentist at a practice like All About Smiles Incorporated if you have specific questions about potentially undergoing sedation dentistry.
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