Afraid to Visit the Dentist? Sedation Dentistry Can Help
If you are afraid of visiting the dentist, have dentophobia, or experience anxiety associated with dental care and visiting the dentist, you are not alone. An estimated 9% to 20% of Americans actually void visiting the dentist due to anxiety or fear.
Unfortunately, this avoidance results in patients not receiving proper preventive dental care and can actually lead to more complicated dental health issues down the road.
Thankfully, there are a variety of options designed to help patients who fear the dentist get the dental care they need without the stress.
What Causes a Fear of the Dentist?
Some people have a true phobia associated with the dentist. A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder, and dentophobia is an extreme fear of the dentist. Even if no phobia is present, people still experience anxiety associated with the dentist for a number of reasons.
- Some people have a fear of pain or receiving injections.
- Some have had negative or traumatic experiences in the past.
- Some people fear the dentist due to embarrassment about the state of their dental health.
- Some people don’t like the feeling of the physical closeness of the dentist or hygienist and the loss of personal space.
- Some people don’t like the feeling of losing control and not being able to speak clearly in the dental chair.
These are just a few of the most common reasons why people avoid visiting the dentist. At Cardinal Dental, we understand that fear of the dentist is a common problem for patients. We strongly encourage you to set up a time to talk with our dentist and staff about your concerns so that we can do our best to make accommodations that help you get the dental care you need without anxiety.
The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
If you have a fear of the dentist, sedation dentistry can make a big difference in your experience during your dental visit. Sedation dentistry involves the use of medications or nitrous oxide to help patients stay calm and relaxed during routine dental exams and cleanings or other dental procedures.
In addition to talking with our team about your concerns, the use of either inhaled minimal sedation with nitrous oxide or oral sedation with prescription medication can help you get the care you need.
To learn more about sedation dentistry in La Mesa, we welcome you to contact Cardinal Dental today.
