The overwhelming fear of dental appointments can be a common cause of anxiety.  Many people visualize a drill-wielding man in a white coat just waiting to cause pain and remove teeth.  The reality, however, is very different.  The comfort, relaxation and happiness of the patient are embedded deep at the heart of any good dental practice. 

We are very fortunate that we have a reputation as an office that deals well with anxious patients.  We have had many patients come to us with past traumatic experiences with dental treatment, and through care and time we have been able to transform them into patients that don't dread coming anymore, and sometimes even into patients that look forward to coming!  Our office is very "patient centered," we only schedule the doctors with one patient at a time.  The extra time we allot to your appointment creates an atmosphere where the patient knows they are being cared for and that we are paying attention to their needs and anxieties.  The staff at the practice will do whatever they can to reduce anxiety, allay fears and provide painless, quick treatments.

Here is a list of some of the most common dental fears:

• Fear of embarrassment about the condition of teeth.
• Fear of gagging.
• Fear of injections.
• Fear of loss of control.
• Fear of not becoming numb.
• Fear of pain.
• Fear of the dentist as a person.
• Fear of the hand piece (or the drill).

How can one overcome dental anxiety?

Dental anxiety and fear can become completely overwhelming.  It is estimated that as many as 35 million people do not visit the dental office at all because they are too afraid.  Receiving regular dental check ups and cleanings is incredibly important. Having regular routine check ups is the easiest way to maintain excellent oral hygiene and reduce the need for more complex treatments.

Here are some tips to help reduce dental fear and anxiety:

Talk to the dentist – The dentist is not a mind reader.  Though it can be hard to talk about irrational fears with a stranger, the dentist can take extra precautions during visits if fears and anxiety are communicated.

Bring a portable music player – Music acts as a relaxant and also drowns out any fear-producing noises.  Listening to calming music throughout the appointment will help to reduce anxiety.

Agree on a signal – Many people are afraid that the dentist will not know they are in significant pain during the appointment, and will carry on the procedure regardless.  The best way to solve this problem is to agree on a “stop” hand signal with the dentist.  Both parties can easily understand signals like raising the hand or tapping on the chair.

Spray the throat – Throat sprays (for example, Vicks^® Chloraseptic^® Throat Spray) can actually control the gag reflex.  Two or three sprays will usually keep the reflex under control for about an hour.

Take a mirror – Not being able to see what is happening can increase anxiety and make the imagination run wild.  Watching the procedure can help keep reality at the forefront of the mind.

Nitrous-  We have Nitrous Oxide also commonly referred to as "laughing gas" in our office to help patients with anxiety.  I always tell people, it's not really what you see on tv when people are just laughing up a storm.  Some people to get a little giggly, but for the most part I like to tell people that the normal effect is similar to if you have had a glass or two of wine.  In general it just relaxes you and takes the edge off.  We titrate this to each individual person based on multiple factors, and the nice thing about nitrous is that we run oxygen through you at the end of the appointment so you will leave feeling totally normal and will not need a driver for your appointment.

Medications-  In some cases we may prescribe a patient with anti-anxiety medication if needed.  This can help in cases of severe anxiety.  For this type of procedure you would need a driver to and from your appointment.

Sedation – If there is no other way to cope, sedation offers an excellent option for many people.  There are several types of sedation, but the general premise behind them is the same: the patient regains their faculties after treatment is complete.  At this time we don't do full sedation dentistry in our office, but if all else fails and this is what is needed we can refer you to someone who does.

If you have questions or concerns about how the dentist can help you overcome anxiety and fear, please contact the office.