Solutions to Dental Anxiety

You are not alone if you suffer from dental anxiety or dental phobia. Millions of people experience fear and dread at the mere thought of having a dental appointment. Fortunately, there is an efficient way to treat your oral conditions without succumbing to your anxiety.

Sedation dentistry is a practice that permits your dentist to administer a sedative before or during your appointment. These methods help you relax during treatment. However, sedation dentistry for dental anxiety isn’t right for everyone. 

What is dental anxiety? 

Often, people use “dental phobia” and “dental anxiety” interchangeably. Both conditions force patients to avoid getting dental treatment, but they are different.

Dental anxiety may manifest in feelings of worry, fear, or stress before attending a dental appointment. Numerous things, including fear of needles, may affect it.  

Dental phobia is more intense than its counterpart and has varying levels. This condition makes people feel overwhelmed and scared about upcoming dental appointments. Those living with dental phobia may only schedule an appointment after experiencing pain or put off visiting the dentist altogether.  

A past unfavorable experience may cause dental anxiety or phobia in a person. And they may know their fear is irrational, but they cannot control or overcome their feelings alone.   

Signs of Dental Anxiety 

There are many signs and symptoms of dental anxiety. Patients may experience physical, emotional, and behavioral responses like the following:  

• Canceling dental appointments
• An upset stomach 
• Low blood pressure 
• Fainting 
• Heart palpitations 
• Sweating 
• Increased blood pressure 
• Distress, crying, or panic 
• Withdrawing 
• Humor to mask feelings of anxiety 

Traumatic past experiences, whether yours or those of someone you know, can trigger these feelings and affect your view of the dental office.    

How To Ease Your Dental Anxiety 

Although it takes time to conquer any fear, the methods outlined below can vastly improve your dental experience. 

Discuss it with your dental team. 

Anyone suffering from dental anxiety will admit that discussing it with their dental team is therapeutic and puts their mind at ease. If you’re new to an office, ask to meet with the team and tour the office before committing to an appointment. Be up front with your concerns and past experiences so your new dentist can help make your appointments comfortable. 

Distract yourself. 

Distractions allow you to keep yourself more relaxed throughout treatment. It keeps your mind off of treatment and helps your dentist to treat you more effectively. Consider trying the following techniques at your next dental visit: 

• Keep something small in your hands, such as a stress ball. 
• Listen to your favorite music on your headphones. 
• Watch your favorite TV show on a tablet or mobile device. 
• Visualize a peaceful place. 

Whatever option you choose, the dentist must be able to complete their work without obstruction. 

Practice mindfulness and breathing techniques.

Believe it or not, relaxation begins in your mind. You can practice controlled breathing and body scanning silently in the reception area or the dental chair.

During controlled breathing, take slow, measured breaths. Slowly inhale as you count to four, then exhale at the same pace. You may repeat this sequence throughout your visit. 

A body scan focuses your attention on relaxing your muscles. Begin with your forehead and slowly work downward, focusing on each part of your body until you’ve reached your toes. 

When You Should Consider Sedation Dentistry for Dental Anxiety

Sedation dentistry isn’t for everyone, so how do you know if it’s right for you? Discussing your options with your dentist will clarify this for you, but there are several reasons you might consider it: 

• Seeing the dentist makes your heart race. 
• Injections make you anxious. 
• You gag easily. 
• Sitting still in a chair for a long time is challenging. 

If sedation makes visiting the dentist less intimidating, it’s worth discussing your options with your dentist. 

What To Expect from Sedation Dentistry at King Dental

At King Dental, we believe our patients deserve to feel comfortable at their dental appointments. We understand that you may have had a past negative experience, and we want to make sure that doesn’t stop you from getting the treatment you need. You can receive IV sedation at King Dental for many of our services. It only takes a few minutes to administer and allows patients to sleep during their procedures.   

How King Dental Prioritizes Comfortable Treatment 

Sedation dentistry is one of the many techniques we use to prioritize your comfort during treatment. We use professional, minimally invasive, up-to-date technology at King Dental because we believe our patients deserve the best. We have caring team members who are understanding and accommodating to your needs. 

Schedule your sedation dentistry consultation. 

If you’re looking for a family dentist near Virginia Beach, contact us at King Dental for an evaluation. We aim to make you as comfortable as possible and give you a great patient experience regardless of the treatment you need.