If you’re afraid of going to the dentist, to the point that you haven’t visited in a while, you aren’t alone. In fact, experts say a large number of Americans avoid seeing their dentist due to dental anxiety. Not getting the dental care you need does more than cause tooth decay; it puts your overall health at risk. Here’s why you shouldn’t let dental anxiety get the best of you and how your dentist can help put you at ease.
Is Dental Anxiety a Real Thing?
Nearly everyone has some dental anxiety that makes them feel nervous or makes their stomach churn in the hours before their dentist appointment. However, recent studies show that 19% of Americans struggle with moderate to high dental anxiety and that 9%-15% have such severe anxiety that they avoid getting dental care as long as possible.
Some patients have a more severe form of anxiety called dental phobia, which can cause physical symptoms such as a racing heart and shortness of breath. People with a dental phobia won’t see the dentist even when they’re in severe pain.
Can Dental Anxiety Affect My Smile’s Health?
When you skip routine dental care due to anxiety, you put your dental health and overall health at risk. When dental decay goes untreated, the infection spreads to the tooth pulp and eventually erodes the bones that support your teeth.
Untreated gum disease allows inflammation and bacteria to spread through your body, potentially causing severe problems such as heart disease, diabetes, pneumonia, and stroke. If you’re pregnant, bacteria that get into your bloodstream from gum disease can affect your baby.
The health of your mouth also influences the state of your immune system. Good dental health translates into a stronger immune system.
Can Dentists Help with Dental Anxiety?
Many dentists can relieve anxiety by making sure you know what to expect. They use digital X-rays so you can see the problems we need to repair, they thoroughly explain the procedure(s), and they show you the instruments used so you’re fully prepared every step of the way. When introducing new patients to dental care, they can also take it slow and easy, by having a detailed conversation about all their fears first and coming up with a plan together to ease their anxiety before even examining their teeth.
Sedation dentistry eliminates pain and allows you to overcome your anxiety and the fear of dental instruments, as well as any hypersensitivities to smells, sounds, and tastes. These options include:
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas): You inhale nitrous oxide through a mask, then it dissolves in your bloodstream and reaches your brain in seconds. Nitrous oxide effectively reduces anxiety and works together with a local anesthetic that completely alleviates any pain associated with your procedure. Nitrous oxide is very useful for dental anxiety because it tends to give you the sensation that you’re removed from the dental activity happening in your mouth, making it easier to tolerate.
Oral sedation (conscious sedation): This type of sedation consists of a medication in the form of a pill or fluid you take before your appointment. Oral sedation significantly reduces your anxiety and eliminates pain — you feel relaxed and drowsy.
About Our Practice
Under the leadership of Dr. Tricia Mockler, our team here at Mockler Dental proudly serves the dental needs of patients in Campbell and the surrounding area. We’re excited to offer a wide variety of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatment solutions, and we’re more than happy to work with anxiety patients to help them receive the care they need. Dr. Mockler spends more time with each patient than dentists at other practices. She aims to put you at ease and makes sure you never feel rushed. You are in control of your treatment, and you can determine the pace at which we move forward. If you have any questions or you’d like to get in touch with us to set up an appointment, reach out online or call today. Telephone: (408) 871-0877.