dental anxiety

Modern Solutions for Dental Anxiety and Fear

August 21, 2019 by DAC Leave a Comment

Dental anxiety can range from mild to severe, impacting the sufferer’s dental health along the way.

Dental anxiety, for someone who has never experienced it, is more like an anecdotal cliche that isn’t justified in an era when medical procedures generally less invasive and less traumatic. If it wouldn’t be so prevalent, dental anxiety could’ve been brushed off as a quirk, but a lot of people actually experience it at a certain level.

Dental anxiety can range from mild to severe, impacting the sufferer’s dental health along the way. In popular culture, it is often called “dental phobia”, but specialists are explaining that fears associated with the dentist are more similar to PTSD than a phobia. Understanding the nature of this fear will help patients control it better and get the necessary treatment.

What Can Cause and Trigger Dental Anxiety

Fear of suffocation can play a big role in dental anxiety. You need to sit still while your mouth is filled with water, saliva, cotton pads, instruments, etc. Local anesthesia can aggravate the anxious feelings, making the tongue and cheeks numb and unable to move.

Specialists who researched dental anxiety have discovered that it rarely connects to a fear of pain and it is more of an existential threat. Being pinned to a chair in such a vulnerable position and having another adult in control can trigger an anxiety attack that goes beyond the rationalization of the event.

Fear of needles, as strong as it is in itself, represents milder cases of dental anxiety. Modern studies propose that it is classified as “dental fear”, because it connects to immediate, palpable things, like the menacing instruments. The existential threat that we discussed above is more characteristic of a true case of dental anxiety, and it is more difficult to overcome.

Modern Solutions for Dental Anxiety and Dental Fear

Today’s dental offices are very far from depictions in the literature that often would compare dentists to butchers or mechanics. Modern medical procedures are focused on the well-being and comfort of the patient and generally includes flexible solutions for patients suffering from anxiety: noise-canceling headphones, warm towels, TV screens showing calming images, music, etc. The staff of a dentist office is trained to treat sensitive patients with empathy and respect, helping them get used to the environment little by little.

Another highly effective approach when dealing with anxious patients is the use of dental sedation. This can help patients with dental fear or anxiety to get the necessary treatment they would normally avoid. From laughing gas to IV sedation and even general anesthesia, sedation dentistry has really broadened the range of patient categories that visit the dentist.

Discuss all your fears and worries with your St. Louis sedation dentist and look for a solution that fits your particular case best. Call The Dental Anesthesia Center today at (314) 862-7844.

How the Right Dental Sedation Team Can Make All the Difference

August 14, 2019 by DAC Leave a Comment

Make sure your dental sedation team has not only the qualifications but also the empathy and understanding needed to help you relax.

Whether you are afraid of the dentist or have to undergo lengthy treatment, sedation isn’t always an easy decision. You have to ensure that your dental sedation team has not only the qualifications and know-how but also the empathy and understanding needed to help you relax. Here’s what to look for in your St. Louis sedation dentist to determine if you are in good hands.

The Initial Appointment

You’ve decided together with your dentist that sedation is needed for you to complete your treatment. Before anything else, you will have to meet with the team of doctors performing the procedures and get briefed on what to expect. This initial appointment is vital in determining if you feel confident in your dentist.

This meeting should be friendly and informal, the purpose being to understand the nature of your fear and find the best possible solution given the circumstances. The doctor will collect data about your medical history (the conditions you have, the medication you are taking, etc.) as well as your social history (who will accompany you during the treatment, who will pick you up after the procedure, and so on.)

Your St. Louis sedation dentist will also present you the different types of sedation and tell you what you should expect from each. They will also give you pre and post-operative instructions.

The next step will be scheduling your sedation appointment.

The Sedation Appointment

Understandably, you may be nervous about the procedure and may be having second thoughts. A professional team will know how to help you relax and feel as comfortable as possible.

The doctor will explain to you what will happen and what to expect. Depending on the type of sedation, the nurse will check the equipment and ensure that the dentist has everything he needs for the procedure. The team will assure you that they are appropriately trained, competent in their roles, and able to assist you should any complications occur.

Once the procedure is over, the team will care for you during your recovery. A nurse will ensure that you are knowledgeable of the post-operative instructions and repeat them if necessary. They will also escort you and make sure that you are being looked after and taken care of by a responsible adult. A professional team will also follow up to ensure that your treatment is completed.

The Right Team Can Truly Make a Difference

The last thing you want when you have a crippling fear of the dentist is a cold environment where the doctors and staff are rude or don’t have the patience to listen to your worries or answer your questions. The right St. Louis sedation dentist can help you turn this experience into something positive!

Call us today to schedule your appointment at (314) 862-7844. We look forward to meeting you!

IV Sedation for Dental Treatment: What to Expect

July 24, 2019 by DAC Leave a Comment

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver gentle dental care that you deserve from sedation dentists in St. Louis.

Many dental procedures can be lengthy and cause stress for patients, especially those who are suffering from dental anxiety. Small children, patients who cannot stay still for long because of other conditions or patients with anxiety can all benefit from sedation dentistry. It allows them to go through the procedures they need without any stress or discomfort.

The Different Types of Dental Sedation

There are different types of sedation used in dental medicine, and they vary in intensity, ways of administration and the effects they have. We will list the main types of dental sedation, ordered by the intensity:

Laughing gas (nitrous oxide) is administered through a breathing mask and its effects last very shortly, wearing off immediately after the procedure. It allows the patient to drive themselves home.
Oral sedation is administered in the form of pills, which need to be taken at a certain time before the procedure. It leaves the patient conscious and able to answer questions and interact with the doctors, but not able to drive themselves afterward.
IV sedation is administered intravenously and provides maximum comfort for the patient, who won’t remember much of the procedure.
General anesthesia leaves the patient unconscious and unable to move, and it is reserved for more serious cases.

Your St. Louis sedation dentist will have a discussion with you prior to the procedure and decide which type of sedation is fit for you, depending on your medical history and the procedure you have to go through.

What Are the Risks of IV Sedation?

The most common complication from an IV sedation is a rash at the IV site. Other complications may include allergic reactions, difficulty breathing or other respiratory complications.

While you are on IV sedation, the doctors will closely monitor your vital signs like oxygen saturation, pulse, blood pressure, and so on. Most complications can happen when you are in the dentist chair. Extreme rare cases involve symptoms that appear later when you are at home.

If any strange symptom appears after you were under IV sedation, call your doctor right away or get to an emergency unit. But don’t be worried about your scheduled IV sedation, as very few cases actually end up with such complications.

How to Prepare for IV Sedation and What to Expect?

Making sure you follow the doctor’s instructions closely before and after the procedure will keep the risks under control. You need to follow a few simple rules that will make the procedure and the IV sedation comfortable and minimally invasive:

Don’t drink or eat anything for 6-8 hours before your appointment
Don’t take any medicine that was not pre-approved by your St. Louis sedation dentist, as it might interfere with the medication
Get someone to drive you home after the procedure and monitor you for a few hours after the sedation
Wear comfortable clothing and remove any accessories like jewelry, belts, etc.

St. Louis Dental Sedation

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver gentle dental care that you deserve from sedation dentists in St. Louis. We work hard to make you feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere.

When you come in for your appointment Dr. Hoffmann, Dr.Thoms, or Dr. Mayer will decide which level is best for you. We look forward to meeting you. Call us at (314) 862-7844 and one of our friendly team members will be happy to speak with you.

5 Possible Ways to Cope with Dental Anxiety

June 12, 2019 by DAC Leave a Comment

It doesn’t matter if you only had positive experiences so far, you can still be afraid of the dentist and reluctant to schedule your next appointment.

Dental anxiety is more common than you can imagine. It doesn’t matter if you only had positive experiences so far, you can still be afraid of the dentist and reluctant to schedule your next appointment. It has to do with human nature. We tend to be fearful of the things that we can’t control. Add to the mix the thought of the pain that one might experience in the dentist chair or the embarrassment of having bad teeth, and you can see why so many people avoid seeing the dentist.

Before anything, it is important to find a dentist that is empathetic and can help ease your anxiety. They can share some tricks with you, explain everything that will happen, and let you get accustomed to the environment. Here are 5 tips to help you cope with dental anxiety.

Accept That You Are Afraid

The first step to dealing with your anxiety is understanding your fear and accepting it. Try to understand what’s causing it and write it down. Talk to your dentist about it as he might help you find the right ways to manage it.

Some people think that facing their fears means not talking about them and pushing through procedures that make them feel uneasy. They are just repressing. A healthier approach would be talking with your dentist before the appointment and letting him know about your anxiety. The doctor can then create a plan that will account for your fears and help you feel more comfortable during the procedures.

Bring Someone with You

Ask a friend or a family member to accompany you and be by your side during your appointment. Make sure to bring someone who isn’t afraid of the dentist too and who can make the entire experience feel more fun and relaxed.

Schedule Your Appointments Wisely

You probably tend to postpone the appointment until it’s too late, but that’s working to your disadvantage. Instead of scheduling the visit late in the afternoon and spending all day thinking about it and becoming more and more anxious, set the appointment first thing in the morning and get it over with it quickly.

Use Distractions

Don’t spend time obsessing over the sound the instruments are making, the size of the needles, and so on. Try to distract yourself by listening to music or podcasts, watching a video or fiddling with a stress ball.

Consider Sedation

If your anxiety is too intense to control, then sedation might be the right option for you. Talk with a St. Louis sedation dentist to determine the best option for your needs. Maybe laughing gas will be enough to help you manage your fear and be out of the chair and on your way as soon as the procedures are done.

What other ways of managing your dental anxiety have you tried? What worked for you? Share your experience with us in a comment below!

Treating Gum Disease with Dental Sedation

May 27, 2019 by DAC Leave a Comment

Dental sedation can be an excellent option for those with dental anxiety who have gum disease.

Oral health is linked to the general health of the body, influencing other big systems, like the cardiovascular, digestive or skeletal systems. Keeping your gums and teeth healthy and clean goes far beyond a pleasant appearance, as it directly advantages your other functions, preventing diseases like diabetes, stroke or bone infection.

If you do have gum problems, it is important to get the right treatment early in the development of the disease, as it will surely become worse if left unattended. Here are some of the basic things to know about periodontal disease.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

Unfortunately, gum disease is the sort of condition that can develop undetected until it is bad enough to show visible symptoms. Some of the obvious signs that you are dealing with periodontal disease include red, swollen gums, bleeding while brushing your teeth, flossing or eating hard food, bad breath, and receding gums.

Check your gums carefully in the mirror when doing your oral hygiene and look for any of these signs. If you think something should be checked, make an appointment with a dentist as soon as you can.

Not missing your dental check-ups will also help you prevent advanced gum disease. Your dentist can monitor your gum health and act when the first signs of trouble appear.

Causes for Gum Disease

Gingivitis, or gum disease, starts when food traces get stuck in between the teeth or in between the gums and teeth and solidify in a layer called dental plaque. If plaque is not removed soon after forming, by brushing and flossing your teeth, it becomes harder and harder, eventually getting so stuck that only a professional cleaning at the dentist will remove it. This hardened plaque is called tartar.

Your gums can and will be irritated by plaque and tartar and will react by swelling, getting red, bleeding, and eventually receding, leaving a big part of the tooth exposed. Gingivitis can lead to tooth loss if left untreated.

Effects of Periodontal Disease on the Body

Besides affecting your oral health, gum disease can have repercussions on the rest of the body too. Medical studies have found a link between untreated periodontal disease and systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular ones, diabetes or stroke.

Sedation Dentistry in Treating Gum Disease

Because it can go for a long time undetected, gum disease can easily be left untreated, becoming active and symptomatic when it is usually quite advanced. Many people don’t get the treatment they need because they fear the pain and discomfort caused by dental treatment.

For patients with dental anxiety, sedation dentistry could be an excellent solution, as it helps your dentist perform the cleaning and treatment needed.

St. Louis Sedation Dentistry

Give us a call today to schedule an appointment!

Call (314) 862-7844

Do Cavity Fillings Make You Anxious? Sedation Might Be the Solution!

May 23, 2019 by DAC Leave a Comment

Talk about your fears with your St. Louis sedation dentist. Don’t hesitate to let them know if certain dental procedures make you nervous.

Many people believe that only anxious people can ask for sedation dentistry or those who need extensive, complex surgery. Not everyone considers the possibility of being administered sedatives for getting a cavity filling. However, this common procedure can make some patients anxious and uncomfortable, forcing them to postpone the treatment. So, the question you may ask yourself now is: can I request dental sedation for my cavity filling?

The short answer is yes.

It’s OK to Be Afraid

Dental anxiety is not as uncommon as you may think. Most patients experience some level of anxiety when in the dentist’s chair either because they had a negative experience in the past or because of the scary anecdotes they heard from their friends and family.

Dentists nowadays are working hard to offer their patients a welcoming and safe environment where they can receive the treatment they need without feeling uncomfortable. Many dental offices offer extra services that alleviate anxiety, such as massages, TV programs or music, warm towels and other small perks that could make the patient feel more comfortable.

However, when it comes to the pain and various sensations one feels when getting a cavity filled, warm towels may not be enough to calm down the patient. Sedation dentistry could be the solution in this situation. Not only that it will target pain and nervousness, but it will also eliminate them.

What Sedation Option Should You Choose?

Talk about your fears with your St. Louis sedation dentist. Don’t hesitate to let them know if certain dental procedures make you nervous. That way you can choose the sedation option that best meets your needs.

Laughing Gas – Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is one of the mildest options for sedation. You will inhale the gas and feel tingling sensations, numbness, and grogginess. Its effect doesn’t last long, but a cavity filling shouldn’t need more time anyway.

Conscious Sedation – This form of sedation will leave you conscious and able to communicate with the doctor, but unable to feel pain. It also makes you feel calm and relaxed, and able to go on with the treatment.

IV Sedation – This type of sedation is rather strong and your doctor might recommend in case of a more complicated filling. This form of sedation is administered by an anesthesiologist who will monitor your vitals at all times.

These are the main types of sedation, each with their own particular advantages, associated risks, and recommendations. Discuss your medical history with your dentist and decide which sedation option is best for your procedure. Following your doctor’s orders will ensure a smooth and anxiety-free procedure.

Speak With a St. Louis Sedation Dentist

Even if you only have to get a cavity filling, being sedated can make the difference between receiving proper treatment and postponing it.

Call The Dental Anesthesia Center and schedule an appointment today at

(314) 862-7844

Schedule an Appointment