Conquer Dental Anxiety with the Help of a Dentist
You may be surprised to learn that when it comes time to take care of those pearly whites, many individuals would rather risk a cavity than experience the dental anxiety they experience when visiting the dentist.
Dental anxiety is a pretty common problem that most people will likely struggle with at some stage of their lives with most individuals experiencing anxiety either before or during a dental appointment.
While it may appear difficult to manage, an experienced dentist like Dr. Lattinelli at JCL Dental has the methods and means to help keep your dental anxiety in check so you can receive the dental care you need. So, to learn what dental anxiety is and how to conquer it with the help of a caring dentist read on!
What Is Dental Anxiety?
Dental anxiety can be defined as the stress, anxiety, or fear associated with a dental visit or setting. This anxiety can make individuals scared of the dentist, typically resulting in avoiding or delaying dental care.
The fear associated with dental anxiety can be caused by items such as drills, needles, or simply the dental room or setting in general. Severe dental anxiety can often lead to dentist avoidance and an irrational fear of dentists in general, which is called dental phobia.
There are also some mental health conditions, including general anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder, and a prior history of neck and head trauma that could increase a person's risk of experiencing dental anxiety. Other conditions like bipolar disorder (BPD), schizophrenia, and depression may also increase the risk of dental anxiety developing.
How Can A Dentist Help With Dental Anxiety?
There are some methods dentists can implement to combat dental anxiety, and these include the following:
- Distractions
Distractions are ideal when dental anxiety needs to be alleviated. Many dental practices, like Dr. Lattinelli's, typically feature TVs to help distract patients during the consultation.
Some dentists may also suggest you bring headphones or earphones to listen to podcasts or music to aid in distraction during the procedure. The patient can take their mind off the process and surroundings by listening to the music or podcasts they enjoy.
Audiobooks are another effective means for tackling dental anxiety through distraction, as many patients have stated they found the time passed quicker with them feeling less anxiety.
- Explanations And Guidance
Dentists can often help alleviate some patient's dental anxiety by providing adequate explanations and guidance. This is usually done by providing step-by-step guidance and thorough procedure explanations before a procedure is performed.
Such an approach to dental anxiety aims to familiarize patients with the dental procedure and processes involved to alleviate fears caused by the unknown.
- IV Sedation
If dental anxiety is severe, then some dentists may decide to use IV sedation. Intravenous (IV) sedation makes use of a mild or deep sedative or anti-anxiety drug injected into the bloodstream. This sedative or anti-anxiety drug will bring on a feeling of deep relaxation and prevent the patient from feeling discomfort during the appointment.
IV sedation can also lead to partial or total memory loss while the patient is under the medication. However, this isn’t necessarily bad as it causes the appointment time to pass quickly, and the patient will not remember what occurred during the appointment. In fact, it is uncommon for patients to recall what happened during the procedure, with most patients saying they felt like they were asleep most of the time.
- Breaks
Having a patient take breaks during the procedure can be a simple yet effective way for a dentist to help alleviate dental anxiety.
During short breaks (every few minutes) during the procedure, patients can take relaxing and calming breaths to help them resettle and remain calm. Pauses in dental treatment can also allow the dentist to ask the patient questions about their current mental state, if they are feeling okay, or if they need help to feel more comfortable.
Speak With Dr. Lattinelli If You Suffer From Dental Anxiety
You are not alone if you or someone you know is scared of visiting the dentist. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel in the form of a trusted and experienced dentist offering options to ease your dental anxiety.
Dr. Lattinelli and our team are ready to help if you suffer from dental anxiety. We are trained to perform the necessary dental care and ensure a stress and anxiety-free dental experience. Reach out to us at 212-752-7188 for more information today!