What’s Causing Your Dental Anxiety?

Dental phobia, dental fear or dental anxiety – regardless of what you call it, it is a very real condition that needs to be acknowledged and addressed. Dental anxiety keeps a significant number of patients from getting the dental care they need for optimal health. Neglecting your dental health can pose threats to your smile appearance as well as your whole-body health. Is fear or anxiety the reason you cancel your dental visits?

Fortunately, many dentists offer services to lessen or even eliminate dental anxiety – ranging from modern amenities in the waiting room (such as Netflix, WiFi and complimentary beverages) to spa-like services while you are in the dental chair (think scented towels and dental massage chairs). However, the most surefire way to calm an anxious patient is with sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry can take the form of a sedative pill, nitrous oxide or IV sedation in some dental offices.

It is always important to disclose your concerns and fears to your dentist when you arrive or when you schedule your appointment. However, if you want to ensure your specific anxieties are taken care of, it is best to first determine what is actually causing your apprehension. The following are common culprits for anxious dental patients:

• Sights, sounds and smells of the dental office
• Feeling of not being in control while in the dental chair
• Fear of gagging (sensitive gag reflex)
• Fear of needles or pain
• Bad dental experience in the past
• Family member or parent with dental anxiety (International Journal of Pediatric Dentistry) found that the greater the dental fear or anxiety of one family member, the higher the level in the rest of the family.

Whether it is a racing heart during a lengthy procedure or a paralyzing fear when you step into a dental office, we want to know about your dental anxiety at Green Dental of Alexandria. We are committed to providing comfortable dental care for all patients, even those with severe dental anxiety. Call today to find out your options in sedation dentistry.