Addressing Dental Anxiety

Perhaps there is no other healthcare profession like dentistry that has the unfortunate (and false) reputation of wanting to cause pain rather than prevent it. For all the good that dentists do to improve our well being, there are many patients with fears about sitting in the dentist’s chair.

Perhaps it has something to do with not liking sharp metal objects put into your mouth or a distaste for fluoride, no matter how strongly the hygienist insists it is “cherry flavored”. But whatever the reason, there are many people (young an old), who have dental anxiety.

For your teeth’s sake, there are ways to combat dental anxiety, a condition sure to cause

cavities. If positive reinforcement, learning to control fear and other behavior management techniques don’t do the trick, dental sedation could ease your mind and allow you to get your teeth cleaned.

Sedation can occur through inhalation (nitrous oxide aka laughing gas), intravenously or orally through a pill or liquid. All of these are safe and can address most forms of dental anxiety by allowing you to get dental work done and simultaneously relieving the anxiety you feel inside.

Usually these forms of sedation do not relieve pain, so a local anesthetic is still needed. They do however relieve stress and allow you to have a healthy smile without all of the worry.