Fear of going to the dentist, more common than many of us believe, affects between 9% and 15% of Richmond dental patients. In fact, many claim that they avoid visiting the dentist because of this fear or anxiety. They often exaggerate their concerns through a feeling of anxiety about an upcoming visit to the dentist. Richmond cosmetic dentistry professionals believe that through our gentle dentistry and painless dentistry techniques, Richmond dentists can alleviate even the most severe anxiety.
Richmond dentists find that people with dental phobia display a more serious condition that leaves victims terrified and panicky. They will do their best to avoid going to the dentist, classic avoidance behavior. People with a dental phobia also have the following signs:
o Increased feeling of nervousness while in the dental office before the visit
o Feeling physically ill or mentally upset at the idea of going to the dentist
o Difficulty sleeping before dental exams
o Intense discomfort when anticipating and when objects are placed in the patient’s mouth, causing a sensation of difficulty in breathing.
Patients with a dental phobia are usually only driven to visit a dentist by extreme pain. Fortunately, there are many ways to help dental anxiety and dental phobia sufferers visit a painless Richmond dentist for care.
First, investigate the cause of dental anxiety or dental phobia:
o Fear of pain, the most common reason for not visiting the dentist, usually stems from a negative experience that was painful or unpleasant.
o The fear of pain due to the bitewing used also generates anxiety in many people.
o Fear of injections, needles terrify many people. Also, many people fear that the anesthesia is not fast or strong enough to mask local discomfort.
o Fear of anesthesia side effects such as numbness, dizziness, nausea, fainting, or pain.
o The fear of lack of control also afflicts many considering the inability of the patient to see what is happening.
o The fear of the lack of personal space affects people who feel uncomfortable due to the proximity of the dentist to their face.
o Fear of embarrassment or judgment due to the appearance of their teeth or mouth odor also prevents many patients from receiving adequate care.
Many advances in painless dentistry contribute to the many advances toward the goal of reducing and eliminating pain and discomfort in dentistry. The best tool is at our disposal. Contact your dentist about how you can work together to ease your anxiety or fears. Music played on headphones helps patients tune out and reduces anxiety. Nitrous oxide is also a soothing anesthetic option now available to most patients.
Talk to your dentist today about ways to ease your fears and anxiety and start treating your teeth the way they should be treated. Schedule an initial visit today with your Richmond dentist.