Dental Anxiety
If you suffer from dental anxiety, then you know just how debilitating the condition can be. You feel pure terror and panic at the mere thought of visiting the dentist, and your anxiety condition makes it nearly impossible to make an appointment or drive yourself to your dentist office.
This is a serious phobia that many adults experience, and unfortunately you risk serious oral health complications if you can’t find a way to overcome your anxiety and seek dental care. This is why it’s so important to take purposeful measures to talk to your dentist about your dental anxiety. You will be surprised just how accommodating your dentist can be once he understands the struggles you are facing!
Let Your Anxiety Be Known
Your dentist is talented in many areas, but he isn’t a mind reader. If you want your dentist and his team to cater your appointments to your dental anxiety, you first need to be honest about your feelings.
You don’t have to feel embarrassed by or ashamed of your dental anxiety. Dentists are professionals who understand that every patient faces unique oral health challenges. You can trust that you are in a judgement-free zone where your feelings will be appreciated and validated. Sharing your feelings and fears with your dentist will help to ensure that your treatments and procedures are completed in a way that calms, soothes, and reassures you every step of the way.
Develop a Signal
You might feel so anxious because you assume you are helpless to take any control over your dental care. There is an easy solution to this problem! Just develop a signal with your hygienist and dentist so that they know when you need a break or are in pain. This puts you back in control of your dental experience and ensures that you won’t have to endure pain and discomfort.
Ask For Sedation
It is very common that the best solution to dental anxiety is oral sedation. Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, helps to relax you during procedures so that you are aware of the proceedings but never alarmed. Intravenous conscious sedation can also ease your pain and discomfort while keeping you awake. Full sedation takes it a step further by placing you into a safe state of unconsciousness until your treatment ends. All you need to do is ask, and your dentist can offer you the right solution for your anxiety.
Coping with dental anxiety is also much easier when you visit a dental practice that is responsive of and compassionate toward your needs. At 19th Avenue Dental in Everett, Washington, Dr. Yamaguchi is committed to helping you feel comfortable and relaxed. Don’t leave your oral health up to chance; call (425) 385-8130 now to make your appointment.
