Are you one of the millions of Americans who tense up and become anxious at the mere thought of going to the dentist? Dental anxiety can originate in childhood and can develop it as an adult. Whatever the roots of your anxiety are, it is helpful to address this issue before it worsens and stands in the way of getting the professional dental help that you need. Read on and discover what you can do about this condition.
Signs of Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety takes many forms, but it generally begins as a sense of panic each time you think about visiting the dentist. Some people find it hard to sleep once they contemplate going to the dentist, and some may even fail to function normally at work once their mind is taken up by their upcoming dental appointment. Dr. Farhat, a dentist in Sterling Heights, explains that dental anxiety can be attributed to one or two factors.
First, people with dental anxiety have real or imagined fears about the pain they will experience as a dental procedure is being done.
Secondly, one may develop dental anxiety as a result of the lack of control that exists while they are sitting in the dental chair and a procedure is being done.
In both these scenarios, the anxiety can be lessened by taking a few simple steps.
Acknowledge and Communicate About Your Anxiety
No problem can ever be solved if you don’t realize there’s a problem and that you need help to fix the problem.
So, if you have dental anxiety you should admit to it. Once you do that, you can inform Dr. Farhat, a dentist at Dental One Care, about your situation. That way you will be able to talk about your anxiety and address your fears head-on.
This will save you from procrastinating or avoiding your Sterling Heights dentist altogether.
If you go to a dental office that doesn’t seem to understand your anxiety, then you switch dentists. Switch to Dental One Care where your anxiety will be treated with the seriousness it deserves.
How Your Dentist Can Help
Your dentist in Sterling Heights can do several things to help you overcome your dental anxiety. However, this will depend on the level of anxiety you have and the specific remedies that you respond to.
For example, Dr. Farhat may keep giving you periodic updates about each upcoming step during your treatment so that the fear of the unknown can be eliminated.
Alternatively, your Sterling Heights dentist can pause periodically during your cleaning or treatment so that you can take a breather and calm down your nerves.
Other patients often find it easier to describe the signs they exhibit when dental anxiety is getting worse. Knowing such signs helps the dentist to know when to give the patient a break before the dental anxiety reaches an overwhelming level.
Involve a Trusted Friend or Family Member
The dentist isn’t the only resource that you can utilize in your bid to banish dental anxiety. We asked our friend, Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, about dental anxiety. Dr. Kacos explained that many patients who suffer from dental anxiety often overcome it when they discuss the condition with a friend, colleague or family member.
The involvement of another person helps the patients to realize that undergoing a dental procedure isn’t as bad as they had made it out to be. Talking also enables them to realize that they aren’t alone in that situation.
Additionally, you can also ask your friend or family member to accompany you during your dental visits. The support of that person will ease you out of the dental anxiety, or at least lessen it.
Dentists Have Other Options
When the alternatives above fail to address your dental anxiety, then Dr. Farhat may opt to give you some form of sedative to calm you down during a visit. For example, he may give you an oral sedative about an hour before you are due to undergo a dental procedure. Laughing gas, moderate sedation, deep sedation or even general anesthesia can even be considered if your dental anxiety is severe. So, your dental health is not doomed because of your dental anxiety. Contact Dental One Care today and schedule an appointment so that you find out how Dr. Farhat can help your specific case of dental anxiety.