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Do you feel anxious before every dentist appointment or even find yourself feeling sick to your stomach? If you are suffering from dental anxiety or phobia, you are at a higher risk of gum diseases and tooth loss. There are ways to put an end to dental anxiety and make your dental care experience a lot more tolerable. For some people, just the mere thought of going to the dentist can bring fear so intense that they avoid getting the proper dental care that they need. Though dental anxiety is very common, this fear can easily be managed and prevented. Research suggests that neglecting dental care due to anxieties can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Hydrotherapy at your dentist's office can help in relieving your dental anxieties. What is Dental Anxiety? Sometimes, a person's fear of going to the dentist or getting dental procedures performed can be so severe that they may lose sleep at night and worry excessively about what might happen at the dentist's office. Dental anxiety is common, which contains about 15 percent of Americans who avoid seeing the dentist due to various fears. You are not alone if you fear going to the dentist. A survey performed by the American Association of Endodontists found that 80 percent of adult Americans fear the dentist. More than half of these adults say that their fear is enough to keep them from visiting their dentist for proper dental procedures. Women and children report more dental anxieties than men and the elderly. Causes of dental anxiety and phobia include, but are not limited to:
• Fear of pain
• Feelings of helplessness and loss of control
• Past bad experiences
• Embarrassment or shame about the look and condition of their teeth
• History of abuse
• Post-traumatic stress
• Fear of needles Hydrotherapy Can Help Ease Your Anxiety Patients can relax and help relieve themselves of anxiety before dental procedures by using hydrotherapy, which is a safe and painless procedure. Hydrotherapy is the use of water to treat a disease or to maintain proper health. The theory behind hydrotherapy is that water has many properties that give it the ability to heal. Water has the ability to:
• Store and carry heat and energy
• Dissolve other substances, such as minerals and salts
• Cannot hurt you, even if you are sensitive to your surroundings
• Found in different forms, such as ice, liquid, or steam
• Help blood flow In addition, water has a soothing, calming and relaxing effect on people, which is why hydrotherapy helps in easing dental anxieties. Hydrotherapy is a safe and affective source for solving your dental fears. Consult your dentist for more information on how hydrotherapy can calm for anxiety. Remember, hydrotherapy is not for everyone, but with proper diagnosis and consultation, your dentist will determine an appropriate solution for your dental anxiety.
Sean Hartmen writes for Dr. Marlin Schwartz, a dentist in Stone Ridge, Highland, New Paltz, Rosendale and Clintondale. Providing comprehensive dental care including dental implants, Invisalign and veneers, Dr. Schwartz is a highly-regarded family dentist in Stone Ridge, Clintondale, New Paltz and Highland in New York.
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