Do You Suffer From Dental Anxiety?
We get it. Going to the dentist can be frightening and stressful. It may even prevent some people from coming to see us. Dental anxiety is a tough nut to crack, but there are ways of overcoming it, and we can help with that. Continue reading to find out how.
What Is Dental Anxiety?
Dental anxiety is the fear, stress, or anxiety associated with going to the dentist. If you experience any of the following symptoms when you go (or think about going) to the dentist, then you may have dental anxiety:
- heart palpitations
- panic attacks
- extreme sweating
- crying
- feeling faint
How Can You Cope With Dental Anxiety?
The first thing you should do is talk to your dentist about it. Believe us, we understand and want to make the experience as stress free as possible. We can help relieve your anxiety by talking you through the procedure and recommending coping mechanisms for you to try.
Some coping mechanisms that you may want to try are:
1) Deep Breathing Exercises – taking long, slow breaths can reduce anxiety and calm your nerves.
2) Meditation – Meditating before and during an appointment can keep you calm and focused.
3) Guided Imagery – Closing your eyes and visualizing something that makes you happy or calm can be soothing during a stressful time.
4) Distraction – We encourage our patients to bring earbuds or headphones and listen to their favorite music, podcast, or audiobook to help focus on something else.
5) Bring a Friend – Having a friend or family member with you during your appointment can provide moral support and help keep you calm.
6) Request Sedation – Sedation will keep you calm and comfortable during your appointment. There are different levels of sedation to accommodate mild to severe anxiety and different treatments:
Nitrous Oxide – Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide relaxes you completely, but you will remain conscious and able to answer questions and follow directions. We administer the gas through a small mask that fits over your nose. As soon as you breathe it in, you start to feel calm and maybe a little giddy — that’s why it’s called laughing gas.
IV Sedation – For severe anxiety and extensive procedures, like oral surgery, we administer a sedative intravenously. While you are under IV sedation, you are entirely unaware of what is taking place during your appointment.
***Please note that with IV sedation, you need someone to drive you to and from your appointment because the effects will last for a while after your appointment.***
We provide sedation dentistry (nitrous oxide and IV sedation) for patients who request it and will customize the level of sedation to meet your personal needs. If you or a family member suffers from dental anxiety, call our office in New Braunfels, TX, and we can help. Remember to schedule your next cleaning and examination if you haven’t seen us in a while. We look forward to seeing you soon!
