dental phobia

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.

It is estimated that up to 10% of people have a legitimate dental phobia, and another 50% or so feel significant dental anxiety.

Recently, sedation dentistry has been taking the dental industry by storm. Between the internet, billboards, and newspapers, it seems like it is being advertised everywhere. This rise in popularity is no accident. A multitude of patients are finding that sedation is the best way to get their dental care. But why?

There are Multiple Levels

When people imagine sedation dentistry, they often picture a person being entirely asleep for their cleaning or procedure. This is actually not the case. There are 3 levels of dental sedation: Minimum, moderate, and deep. The minimal level relaxes you but doesn’t put you asleep, moderate keeps you conscious but will likely eliminate your memory of the event, and deep will make you unconscious.

It Has a Long History

Another stereotype of sedation dentistry is that it is brand new. This is not the case either. In fact, it has been used since the 1960s for in-depth procedures and for patients with special needs.

It Helps a Variety of People

Most people believe that sedation is solely used for a small group of people with dental anxiety. This is wrong on two levels:

• First, the people who feel dental anxiety are not a small group. It is estimated that up to 10% of people have a legitimate dental phobia, and another 50% or so feel significant dental anxiety. Stress is a widespread feeling in dentistry and sedation helps those who feel it.
• The second belief is that sedation is only for those who experience anxiety. However, it is also used for extensive procedures, patients with sensitive gag reflexes, those with low pain tolerance and for patients who suffer from diseases such as dementia.

It Is Safe

Horror stories about sedation are great for click bait headlines, but in reality, are nearly non-existent. Sedation is administered by a trained professional at the perfect dose, making the entire process perfectly safe for the patient. This same kind of sedation is done in every hospital in the country, every day, over and over.

Your Oral Health is Vital

For people who feel dental anxiety, phobia, or excessive pain, going to the dentist is not an easy task. Rather than face their fear, they often opt for not going to the dentist at all. In the long run, this is incredibly costly, for both their health and their wallet. This lack of care will inevitably lead to expensive and even more painful procedures down the road, making sedation a much smarter decision than not going to the dentist at all.

The History of Dental Sedation

Discovery

One of the most common types of sedation is the inhalation of nitrous oxide, which is often called “laughing gas” by patients. This compound was discovered all the way back in 1772 by a man named Joseph Priestley. After its discovery, it did not become a medical tool right away. Instead, it was only used as a preservative for decades before any medical applications.

First Dental Application

After around 70 years, dentists began to use nitrous oxide for certain difficult procedures. The primary pioneer of the technology was Horace Wells, a dentist from Connecticut. After successfully removing a tooth with minimal discomfort, he took to spreading the message about this fantastic medical advancement.

Setback

Unfortunately, during one of his demonstrations, he did not administer enough gas to the patient. The result was an intensely painful procedure that was given in front of an audience. There are reports that the patient was screaming in pain during the treatment, which is a bad look for a somewhat unfamiliar practice. This turned a lot of people off to the idea of dental sedation, and its practice was delayed another 20 years before being tried again.

Widespread Adoption

In the 1940s, sedation began to be a widespread medical treatment in hospitals and dental offices. By this time, doctors had tested the various sedative substances enough to understand the exact doses needed for each. This allowed them to safely administer sedation for patients in need. The result of this was further innovation and safety improvements. With the entire medical community supporting it, sedation became a treatment that now takes place every single day. This has allowed countless people to kill their pain during procedures, and in the case of dental anxiety, calm them down during an appointment.

One of the best things you can do for your oral health is to regularly visit the dentist. Not only do they provide cleanings, but they also check for cavities and other severe issues. If a person is uncomfortable going to the dentist and decides not to go at all, they are putting themselves at risk. Fortunately, sedation allows people who would otherwise skip the dentist to go and get the treatment they need. Not only does this improve their oral health, but it saves them money and pain in the long term due to cavity avoidance. If you are somebody that has issues with seeing the dentist and is afraid of sedation, understand that sedation has been around for a while and is generally safe.