Does the thought of visiting the dentist make your chest tighten or cause you to squirm with discomfort? If so, you may be experiencing dental anxiety – and you are not alone. Many Americans of all ages are affected by dental anxiety. This aversion to the dentist’s chair can be caused by any number of reasons:
- A fear of needles or drills
- Severe sensitivity to pain
- An unpleasant childhood experience
- A general fear of clinical settings
Whatever the cause may be, it is completely understandable. However, the short-term relief of skipping an appointment can actually make things much worse in the end. When you skip regular cleanings and examinations, you expose yourself to much more severe issues. As these issues arise, they may cause great pain or damage to your teeth. In this case, you will either need to live with painful tooth decay or gum disease or brave a visit to the dentist to treat them. Addressing these issues can be much more costly and uncomfortable than regular dental visits.
In order to avoid these kinds of traumatic and expensive emergency procedures, you must commit to routine cleanings and exams. It is quite understandable for this to be easier said than done, however. It is not fair to ask someone with dental anxiety to simply “get over it.” This is why anxiety reduction is such a valuable service for dentist-averse patients.
What Is Anxiety Reduction?
Anxiety reduction is a practice of minimizing consciousness during a dental appointment so that the patient experiences reduced discomfort and fear during their treatment. It helps patients become more at ease with whatever level of treatment they may need. It eliminates some of the unpleasant sensations that have made them fear coming to the dentist in the first place, and can also help your dentist perform their best work (meaning you will receive better results).
Is Anxiety Reduction safe?
Yes. However, it is important to find a dentist that has received extensive training and education in this area. This practice requires them to be familiar with a wide range of various medications. It also means they must be competent in the administration of these medications because it is, as they say, an exact science.
Your dental health is incredibly important to maintain. However, it is completely understandable to suffer from anxiety surrounding a visit to the dentist. Millions of Americans feel this way, and it is nothing of which to be ashamed. Because it is so common, many practices have adjusted their treatment offerings to include support for those who feel frightened or anxious by the thought of taking a seat in the dentist’s chair.
Do you experience moderate to severe dental anxiety or feel stressed by the thought of a dental appointment? Anxiety reduction might be the perfect option for you! If you have more questions about comfortable, welcoming dentistry in Broomfield, CO or wish to learn more about general, cosmetic or restorative dentistry options, call Petersen Family Dentistry today at (720) 308–9798 or contact us online.
