Dental Anxiety Is Real—Here’s How Sedation Dentistry Can Help You Finally Get Care
Paying a visit to the dentist doesn’t typically sit at the top of a favorite-things-to-do list. And we understand. Who wants to sit in a dental chair and have someone’s hands or some weird-looking tools in their mouth, even if going to the dentist is good for their oral health?
Unfortunately, for some people, going to the dentist is less something they don’t want to do and more something they are scared to do. The American Dental Association (ADA) suggests that nearly 73% of American adults have some fear of the dentist.
At Stephen J. Spencer, DDS, we don’t want dental anxiety or fear to keep you from getting the professional dental care that you deserve. That’s why we offer sedation dentistry to help keep you as comfortable as possible during your visit.
What Dental Anxiety Really Feels Like
If you don’t have dental anxiety, it might be hard to fathom. But if you do, you know it’s no laughing matter, and it’s not something you can easily overlook when that appointment looms on your calendar every six months. And if your Great Falls dentist has suggested a more in-depth dental treatment, it can feel like things are out of control.
Let’s take a look at what dental anxiety actually feels like for those who have it.
- Feeling nervous for days or even weeks before a dental appointment
- Worrying about pain, needles, drills, or uncomfortable sounds
- Reliving a bad past dental experience during every visit
- Feeling trapped or uncomfortable sitting back in the dental chair
- Having a racing heart, sweaty hands, or trouble catching your breath
- Feeling embarrassed or ashamed about the condition of your teeth
- Putting off dental appointments until pain or discomfort becomes impossible to ignore
- Canceling appointments at the last minute because the fear is too overwhelming
Available Sedation Dentistry Options
As we mentioned before, we never want you to feel scared or anxious about visiting your dentist in Great Falls, MT. And, we offer three different approaches depending on your level of fear or anxiety and the type of procedure that your smile needs.
- Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, provides a light, calming feeling and wears off quickly after your visit.
- IV sedation helps patients feel deeply relaxed, and many people remember very little about their visit afterward.
- Oral sedation is all about taking medication before your appointment begins so that you can feel calm and more at ease during treatment.
Why Sedation Can Make Such a Big Difference
There’s a reason that we suggest coming to see us every six months for a professional dental cleaning and oral cancer screening. Seeing you regularly helps us stay on top of your oral health. This means less risk for things like cavities, gum disease, and even the progression of oral cancer.
Dental sedation makes that entire process easier. Rather than avoiding an appointment due to fear or anxiety, you can come to our office knowing we’ll do everything we can to make sure your appointment goes smoothly.
Let’s briefly recap why sedation can make such a big impact.
- Helps patients stay more comfortable during longer appointments or when multiple dental procedures are needed
- Can reduce jaw tension, nervousness, and the physical stress that often comes with dental anxiety
- Makes it easier to keep up with regular dental care and avoid putting off important treatment
You don’t have to avoid the dentist anymore.
Earlier, we implied that if you have dental anxiety or a profound fear of the dentist, we’ll do whatever we can to make you uncomfortable. But the truth is that creating a safe, comfortable, and effective dental environment is just what we do. For everyone. For that reason, many patients find that over time they no longer need sedation to get through basic procedures like teeth cleaning.
This is because we take the time to talk to patients about their concerns and fears. You are always encouraged to ask us questions, and we make sure to answer them in a way that you can easily understand. We also encourage patients to schedule a consultation with us in advance to discuss sedation options. In many cases, just knowing that options are available can make it easier to proceed to the next step: scheduling the actual appointment.
Simply stated, our family-friendly approach is designed to help you feel comfortable every step of the way.
Talk to us about sedation dentistry options today.
We encourage you to make your dental health a priority. So, if you have questions about sedation dentistry or your upcoming appointment, reach out to us. The best way for us to help you is to talk through your questions and concerns. We’re confident that we can help you feel comfortable and take care of your smile at the same time.
