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If you ever get nervous about going to the dentist, you may just be worrying unnecessarily. With the continual advancements in dentistry, diagnosis and treatment get more sophisticated and comfortable all the time. Statistics show that approximately 15 percent of Americans suffer from dental anxiety. Dental anxiety, or dental phobia, is more serious than just getting sweaty palms at the thought of going to the dentist - it is a paralyzing fear of dentists or dental treatments. If this sounds like you, keep in mind that you don't have to avoid getting the dental care you need. With advancements in dental technology, your dentist has the tools, techniques and caring manner to help make regular dental visits more comfortable and relaxing for you. What is Dental Anxiety? Dental anxiety is common. Some people's fear of going to the dentist or getting dental procedures done is so severe that they lose sleep at night and worry excessively about what might happen at the dentist's office. Causes of dental anxiety are numerous and include factors that are both related and unrelated to dentistry, including:
* Fear of pain
* Feelings of helplessness and loss of control
* Embarrassment or shame about the look and condition of your teeth
* Past bad experiences
* Observational or vicarious learning
* Fear of needles, injections, drills, gagging, etc. How Your Dentist Prepares Before and after you step into the office, Dr. Feffer does a lot to make sure each individual appointment is properly prepared. Your dentist trains his entire staff to answer questions and help you understand what to expect during your visit. With a properly trained office staff, you can find ease in knowing everything is well planned and prepared for your dental treatment. Additionally, your dentist also:
* Provides a clean, comfortable waiting room with magazines and oral health resources, with music, and a play area for children.
* Implements the latest procedures to help eliminate or minimize discomfort. Offers pain control medications, local anesthesia, sedation, as procedures and patient history suggest.
* Keeps you informed and in control throughout the visit.
* Tries to put you at ease, possibly offering you or your child on a tour of the office and explaining the equipment.
What You Can Do Knowledge is your greatest defense against anxiety. Before your visit, avoid caffeine and sugary foods. Choose high protein foods instead, as they help produce a calming effect and make you less anxious. Be sure to ask your dentist about your oral health, your treatment, and your concerns. Also discuss any specific fears openly with your dentist. Throughout the procedure, focus on breathing slowly and regularly. Decreased oxygen levels can further increase feelings of panic. If you ever feel uncomfortable during your procedure, use hand signals previously discussed with your dentist. Be sure to also maintain a schedule of regular preventive visits so that your dentist can detect oral health problems early before treatment becomes necessary. Contact Dr. Jeffrey Feffer, your dentist in Lakeview and Lincoln Park, for more information on how you can overcome your dental anxiety. Maintain a healthy smile - don't avoid the dentist.
Dr. Jeffrey Feffer is a leading and experienced dentist in 60614. Bringing 30 years of experience to the dental field and a passion for helping each patient achieve their best smile, this Lincoln Park and Lakeview dentist, is qualified to handle any dental need for patients of every age.
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