Does the thought of going to the dentist make you a little nervous? You’re far from being alone. Odontophobia, the fear of dentists, plagues many children and adults throughout the world. You mustn’t let your anxieties come between you and your dental health. We know that the dentist may be nerve wracking, but at Old Town Smiles our goal is simply to keep you smiling.
Some use the words anxiety and phobia interchangeably however, while an anxiety causes general uneasiness, a phobia can induce an intense terror or panic. There are many reasons that one might experience odontophobia or dental anxiety. In many cases, patients hear exaggerated stories of pain and worst case scenarios. Patients may also be concerned about a loss of control, embarrassment, or negative past experiences.
Patients that suffer from these fears may exhibit a lower pain threshold, overly sensitive gag reflex, and even difficulty achieving numbness. Avoiding the dentist altogether can put you at a higher risk for gum disease and other orthodontic issues. Over time these issues can lower your overall quality of life and cause more serious issues.
If you experience dental anxiety or odontophobia the first and most important step is to communicate with your dental office. Choosing a dentist and staff you can trust can help ease any unrest before you ever enter the examination room. A dental office, such as Old Town Smiles, skilled at providing care to patients with such anxieties can easily turn a frightful experience into an anxiety-free smile.
At Old Town Smiles we want to work with you to keep your smile healthy and whole, but we also want you to be at ease while in our care. Our talented staff is trained to work together to provide optimal care in a comfortable and convenient environment. Each bright room has a panoramic of windows, giving you an open, non-claustrophobic feeling. We also offer sedation at a patient’s’ request.
Sedation can allow restless patients with the opportunity to experience an anxiety-free dental visit. Nitrous Oxide gas, or laughing gas, is the most commonly used sedation technique to allow patients to feel comfortable and less nervous. Depending on your personal needs we offer other types of sedation as well including oral conscious sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. At your next appointment let us know that you’re interested in Sedation Dentistry and we will help you decide which type of sedation is right for you.
In the end, open communication and trust in your dental health care provider can go a long way to reduce odontophobia and dental anxiety. At Old Town Smiles our goal is always to provide you with a five star experience that will leave you showing off your healthy smile for years to come.