If your fear of going to the dentist is crippling, even paralyzing, and the thought of a dental visit terrifies and stresses you, you could be suffering from dental anxiety or dental phobia. Anxiety is serious condition and more than just feeling a tad nervous about a dental appointment.
For most people, the anxiety around going to a dentist stems from a traumatic dental procedure or experience from the past.
Because of this, they associate appointments with the dentist with pain and anxiety. The idea of going in for a treatment can cause panic attacks, excessive palm sweating and a higher heart rate.
People who experience dental anxiety, will even choose to live with mouth and teeth pains or problems that they are suffering from as the fear of going to a dentist is greater that the pain they are experiencing.
If you suffer from dental anxiety it may be comforting to know that you are not alone. It is estimated that approximately 10.7% of Canadians experience dental anxiety. The Dentists at North Burnaby Dental Group understand the concerns and feelings experienced and take many precautions and considerations for making a dental appointment as comfortable and stress free as possible.
Below are tips to help alleviate dental anxiety.
Find a Dentist and Clinic That You are Comfortable With
Knowing that you have a dentist that is experienced with working with patients that have dental anxiety will put your nerves at ease a bit. If a dentist understands your situation, they will be sure to explain procedures to you carefully so you know what to expect, and give you various options on how to cope.
Many dentists now go out of their way to make a dental experience pleasant. You can also try looking for dental clinics that don’t look like clinics at all. A spa-like clinic will help you relax and disassociate the place with pain. If you are in process of looking for a dentist, here are some tips on how to Find a Dentist in Burnaby.
Try Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry is a tried and tested method in sidestepping a traumatic experience in the clinic. The dentist will use medication to help calm and relax the patient during the dental appointment.
Depending on what your dentist offers, the sedation process can be administered in different ways. The medication is administered by inhaling nitrous oxide, which is a calming gas, oral sedation in which you will be given a pill to ingest prior to the treatment or by IV sedation. IV sedation is a method where the medication is administered through the IV connected to your vein. This process works faster than oral and inhalation.
The level of sedation required depends on your needs. Some prefer to be deeply asleep during the entire dental procedure while others prefer to stay conscious. North Burnaby Dental Group has a dentist specially trained to perform intravenous sedation in house who will assess your needs to ensure that your dental appointment is comfortable. Whatever method is chosen, sedation dentistry could make your dental appointment less traumatic and stressful.
There are also several things that can be done prior to a dental visit that may also help calm nerves. Meditation, listening to calming music and ingesting calming tea prior to your dental appointment may help to alleviate some of the nerves. It’s also ideal to talk to your dentist prior to the appointment to discuss about the methods you can use to help ease up your anxiety.
Also recommended is taking preventative measures to keep your mouth healthy. This is one of the best ways to prevent having to have dental procedures beyond dental cleanings. A healthy mouth and teeth can be achieved with a good oral hygiene routine and regular dental cleaning and check ups. The will go a long to to preventing decay and other dental diseases that may require sedation dentistry.
If you experience dental anxiety and have pain or even require a regular check up and cleaning, it’s best to visit your dentist. Avoiding a visit to your dentist will only cause more damage and may cause complications. Be assured that the Dentists at North Burnaby Dental Group will create a pleasant experience for you and help you be on the way to being comfortable with going to the dentist and having healthy teeth.
