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Anxiety disorders are no laughing matter. You may be worrying unnecessarily, but with the many advances in dentistry, diagnosis and treatment are more comfortable than ever. Not many people like going to the dentist, but for some the mere thought of a dental visit can bring on such fear that they avoid getting the dental care they need. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of adults skipped their dental visits in 2009. If you are afraid of going to the dentist, there are ways to quell your dental anxiety and make your dental experience more tolerable. What is Dental Anxiety? Dental anxiety and phobia are disorders that cause people to avoid going to the dentist to receive important dental treatments. If you suffer from dental anxiety you may experience increased stress and nervousness when at the dental office. Causes of dental anxiety or dental phobia are numerous and include factors that are both related and unrelated to dentistry. Some causes of dental anxiety include: • Fear of pain
• Feelings of helplessness and loss of control
• Embarrassment about the look and condition of teeth
• Past bad experiences
• History of abuse
• Observational or vicarious learning
• Post-traumatic stress
• Fear of needles If you fear the dentist you are not alone. According to a survey completed by the American Association of Endodontists, 80 percent of adult Americans fear the dentist, with more than half saying it keeps them from visiting their dentist. Those with dental anxiety or phobia have a higher risk of gum disease and tooth loss. Neglecting dental care not only leads to oral diseases, but it can also lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Sedation Dentistry With recent advancements in dentistry, overcoming your dental anxiety is easier than ever. Sedation dentistry utilizes powerful pain killing medications known as anesthetics not only to help you avoid discomfort during a procedure, but also post-operatively. It can also be used to help calm your fears of receiving dental treatment. Sedation dentistry is used to provide a relaxing and anxiety-free experience for those receiving dental treatment. It enables patients who are too afraid to go to the dentist to receive the dental care they need while avoiding dental phobia. Sedation dentistry techniques may be mild to moderate, and can alleviate fear/anxiety. It consists of oral sedation, inhalation sedation, intravenous (IV) sedation and general anesthesia (GA). Other Strategies for Anxiety Relief It is important to realize that others share your fears and are ready to help you overcome them through self-help and peer support groups â€" you are not alone. Professional psychological counseling and psychotherapy are also available for more serious cases. This allows you to identify your fears and educate yourself about realistic and unrealistic expectations, possible treatment options and what they involve, etc. Before your appointments, discuss your treatment with your dentist so that you will know exactly what to expect when in the dental chair. Additionally, ask for information that you can read at home, and conduct research online. Don't be afraid to ask questions before a dental procedure and make sure that your Warrenton dentist is aware of your anxiety. Talk to your dentist in Warrenton about your anxiety and how they can help calm your fears.
Sean Hartmen writes for Drs. Yung and Jelinek, dentists in Warrenton, VA. Offering a wide range of services including implants, oral surgery, and dentures in Warrenton, Drs. Yung and Jelinek are qualified to handle any dental need for patients of all ages.
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