St. Louis Sedation, Sleep & Special Needs Dentistry :: The Dental Anesthesia Center

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Your Child is Afraid of Going to the Dentist – How to Ease Their Fear

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Our pediatric dental anesthesia specialists have advanced training that allows them to interact positively with children who have anxiety and special needs.

Going to the dentist is an essential part of keeping your kid’s mouth healthy. However, it generally doesn’t rank high on the list of things your child, or you as a parent, want to do. For some children, they truly fear going to the dentist. They may experience anxiety just at the thought of sitting in the dentist’s chair.

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we understand that fear and anxiety are real feelings that can be difficult to control, especially for a child. We strive to make your child’s dental experience comfortable and positive. Yet, there are several things you as a parent can do to help ease their fear.

Ways to Ease their Fears

To help your child’s visit to the dentist go more smoothly, try these suggestions:

  • When talking about the dentist, avoid using words such as shot, hurt, or painful.
  • Tell your child about the upcoming appointment but limit the number of details you give. Answer their questions with simple answers. Let the dentist explain the more intricate details. Pediatric dentists have the training necessary to describe things to children in an easy-to-understand, nonthreatening way.
  • When talking about your dental experiences, don’t tell your child about any unpleasant or painful experiences you’ve had.
  • From an early age, explain to your child how important it is to take care of their oral health and that going to the dentist is a positive thing.
  • Read children’s books about going to the dentist.
  • Tell your child how friendly the dentist and staff are and that they will be in excellent care.
  • They may be scared to be separated from you. Let your child know that you can be with them the entire time.
  • Let them take their favorite doll or teddy bear to the appointment.

Reasons for Their Fears

Keep in mind that it’s entirely reasonable for your child to be fearful or nervous. They may be afraid of the unknown; others may be scared of being hurt or injured. If your child has special needs, this can add to their fear and apprehension. Some other reasons your child may fear going to the dentist include:

Whatever your child’s reasons, at The Dental Anesthesia Center, our pediatric dental anesthesia specialists have advanced training that allows them to interact positively with children who have anxiety and special needs. Our office is fully equipped to accommodate patients with special needs, allowing us to deliver care in an environment that is relaxed and comfortable for you and your child.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

Can I Be Sedated for General Dental Work?

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Nearly 75% of adults in the U.S experience some sort of fear with regards to visiting the dentist. Of these, as many as 10% have an intense enough fear to be considered a dental phobia.

Many people have anxiety, even fear, over having dental work done. Something as routine as having their teeth cleaned can be a terrifying experience. A lot of people who have this phobia would prefer not to have any dental treatment done, but this can lead to many problems.

The frustrating thing about dental phobia is that people with these feelings have an awareness that their fear is irrational, but they cannot do much about it. If you feel this way, you are not alone. Nearly 75% of adults in the U.S experience some sort of fear with regards to visiting the dentist. Of these, as many as 10% have an intense enough fear to be considered a dental phobia.

If you avoid going to the dentist, sedation dentistry is an excellent way to take away a measure of your anxiety. Sedation is used for any type of dental treatment, from a simple tooth cleaning to invasive procedures.

Understanding Sedation Dentistry

To help patients relax during a dental procedure, sedation dentistry uses medications. It is sometimes referred to as sleep dentistry, although this can be misleading because, except for general anesthesia, patients are awake.

The different levels of sedation include:

  • Minimal sedation – The lightest level of sedation, you are awake but are relaxed.
  • Moderate sedation – You are still able to respond to questions.
  • Deep sedation – Using general anesthesia, you will have no memory of the procedure.

Types of Sedation Methods Used

There are several different types of sedation methods. The method used for a patient is determined on the patients:

  • Medical history
  • Current physical
  • Mental health

The different methods include:

  • Inhaled minimal sedation – For this method, nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, combined with oxygen through a mask, helps you relax.
  • Oral sedation – This method can range from minimal to moderate. For minimal sedation, you will be given a pill to take, usually about an hour before the procedure. It will make you drowsy, but you will still be awake. For moderate sedation, a larger dose may be given.
  • IV sedation – You receive the sedative drug through an IV, this method works more quickly, and it allows the dentist to adjust the level.
  • Deep sedation and general anesthesia – You will take medications that will make you either almost unconscious or totally unconscious.

When you come to The Dental Anesthesia Center for your appointment, Dr. Hoffmann, Dr. Thoms or Dr. Daugherty will decide which level is best for you.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

Don’t Let Dental Fear Keep You from Getting the Treatment You Need

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Modern and safe anesthesia techniques can allow you to have dental procedures done without the anxiety associated with dentistry.

It is estimated that between 9% and 20% of Americans avoid going to the dentist due to anxiety or fear. So if you fear going to the dentist, you are definitely not alone.

Sometimes the term dental phobia is used interchangeably with dental anxiety, but dental phobia is a more serious condition. People with dental phobia are terrified of going to the dentist. They typically understand that their fear is irrational, but it doesn’t help change the way the feel.

Whether it’s dental fear, anxiety, or phobia, patients with these feelings usually don’t go to the dentist until forced to do so because they are in extreme pain.

What Causes Phobia and Anxiety?

There are a number of reasons why a person may be nervous or scared of going to the dentist. Some of the most common reasons include:

  • Fear of pain: This is a very common reason. This fear generally stems from a dental experience that was painful or unpleasant, perhaps when the person was a child. Others may have heard dental “horror” stories from friends or family members. Fortunately, advances in dental procedures can make a person’s experience pain and anxiety free.
  • Fear of having an injection or fear that it won’t work: There are a lot of people who are actually terrified of needles. Others fear that the anesthesia won’t work or that it will wear off during a procedure.
  • Anesthetic side effects: Some patients are afraid of the potential side effects of anesthesia like feeling faint, dizziness, or nausea.
  • A feeling of helplessness or loss of control: It’s not uncommon for people to feel this way when sitting in the dentist chair. They fear it because their mouth is open and they can’t see what’s going on and they fear not being in control of the situation.
  • Embarrassment: Many people self-conscious about their teeth. When people put off going to the dentist and minor problems turn into major issues, it compounds the effect, making it even more difficult the longer they wait.

How Sedation Dentistry Can Help

Your oral health is so important and letting a minor problem turn into a more serious issue only makes the situation worse. At The Dental Anesthesia Center, modern and safe anesthesia techniques can allow you to have dental procedures accomplished without the anxiety associated with dentistry.

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St. Louis Dental Phobia Dentist

If you have not been to the dentist because you suffer from moderate to severe dental phobia, Dr. Michael J. Hoffmann, Dr. Sean M. Thoms, and Dr. Victoria Q. Daugherty are here to help you. At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver gentle dental care that you deserve. Call to schedule your appointment at (314) 862-7844.

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7 Dental Fads You Might Want to Avoid

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If you are looking for alternative solutions because of anxiety related to going to the dentist, consider sedation dentistry.

Being on the Internet can easily convince you that wonder products exist and they will change your life. Dental care is no exception. You might have already heard about some of the following practices that are supposed to keep your teeth healthy and beautiful with little cost and usually a little DIY effort.

Some people look for alternative dental solutions because they have anxiety or fear of going to the dentist. Unfortunately, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Many of these dental fads are not effective, or are even harmful for your teeth. In addition, relying solely on these techniques may lead to dental problems.

Oil Pulling

An ancient practice in terms of oral care is oil pulling. It involves swishing oil in your mouth for about 20 minutes. The oil is supposed to collect all the bacteria on your teeth and gums, making it easy for you to just flush it afterwards. While oil does remove some of the plaque on your teeth, relying only on oil pulling will eventually lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

Rinsing Your Teeth with Hydrogen Peroxide

In the search of the whitest smile, people try easy at-home remedies, like rinsing their teeth with hydrogen peroxide, a common ingredient in whitening products. This practice can be very harmful in the long-run, weakening the enamel.

Brushing Your Teeth with Activated Charcoal

Often seen on Instagram, this trick can be damaging for your teeth. Using activated charcoal for your teeth corrodes the enamel and will eventually leave your teeth vulnerable to cavities.

Wearing Tooth Grills and Gems

Grills will cause micro cracks and scratches on your teeth, and wearing gems can create breeding places for bacteria.

Using Coconut Oil to Treat Canker Sores

Canker sores can be very annoying, and coconut oil as a remedy seems quite harmless, but it doesn’t really make the healing process faster. If you have persistent sores in your mouth, see a dentist who can evaluate them.

Using Fluoride-Free Toothpaste

Anti-fluoride seems to be part of a wider trend that fights allopathic solutions, but fluoride, besides being present naturally in the environment (in low quantities), is also one of the best ways to prevent cavities.

Brushing Your Teeth with Lemon Juice and Baking Soda

Another dangerous habit is brushing your teeth with lemon, baking soda or a combination of the two. Lemon is highly acidic and baking soda very abrasive, so using the two will result in creating micro-scratches on your enamel, then attacking them with acid.

There’s nothing wrong with trying out some new things if you believe they are good for your health, but doing a little research on these subjects is enough to show you what’s truly effective and what’s only an internet fad.

If you were looking for alternative solutions because of anxiety related to going to the dentist, consider sedation dentistry – it is often the best solution to get the much needed dental treatment for patients who don’t like being in the dreaded chair.

Modern Solutions for Dental Anxiety and Fear

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

st. louis woman with dental anxiety

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

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

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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!