Dominic Kesterton
For Hope Alcocer, the diagnosis was grim: 11 cavities. Inflamed gums. A tooth in need of a root canal. As the list of problems grew, so did her feelings of shame and fear. Shame that she had waited more than a decade to seek care. And fear because she could no longer avoid the dentist. Her anxiety stemmed from an experience as a teenager, when her dentist brushed aside her concerns that she wasn’t numb enough before filling a cavity….Continue reading….
Source: nytimes
.
Critics:
Many people find it helpful to do stretches, meditation, or deep controlled breathing. If you suffer from extreme anxiety, you may want to call up your dentist and ask about what type of sedation techniques may be appropriate to help you relax further. Discussing your anxieties allows them to adjust their treatment approach, making you more comfortable.
In addition, relaxation techniques like deep breathing or visualization can help you stay calm during dental procedures. Putting anxious patients in control of the appointment, such as allowing them to dictate start and stop times, can help relax their mental state. Physical relaxation is part of the equation as well, with breathing techniques, pleasant aromas, and calming music all playing a role.
People with this specific phobia feel anxious when they think about going to the dentist or actually visit the dentist. Past negative experiences, family history or feeling a loss of control can lead to dentophobia. Exposure therapy, guided imagery and relaxation techniques can help you overcome this disorder. Dentists are often able to recognize signs of anxiety in their patients.
They may notice physical signs, such as dry mouth, sweating, trembling, or rapid breathing. Try breathing and relaxation techniques – these can help to calm your nerves and distract you. take headphones with you and listen to music, this will act as a distraction and take the focus away from any noises which make you anxious.
Some of the common reasons include: Fear of pain. Fear of pain is a very common reason for avoiding the dentist. This fear usually stems from an early dental experience that was unpleasant or painful or from dental “pain and horror” stories told by others. Your dentist hopes you won’t cry, but they’d rather help you through your fears than watch you make yourself miserable.
If you need to cry, cry but try not to worry about whether you will or won’t. A compassionate dental office will work with you through the tears. Try going for a walk in nature, or playing a sport you enjoy. You can even try meditating to reduce stress or schedule a brief 15-minute walk during the middle of the workday. Exercise is important, but it’s even more important that you actually enjoy doing it.
General anesthesia in a hospital or ambulatory surgery center may be necessary when treating young children, adults with special needs or people with severe dental anxiety. General anesthesia is a type of unconscious sedation. In other words, you’ll be completely unconscious during the procedure. It’s natural to worry that your teeth might be the worst a dentist has ever seen, but it’s important to remember that dentists are professionals who encounter a wide variety of dental issues every day.
“Sleep” only occurs with general anaesthesia, and this is not provided in a UK dental practice. NHS dental sedation clinics used to offer this service previously, but the law changed in the 1990’s. Dental sedation induces a state of deep relaxation and a feeling of not being bothered by what’s going on. How common is dental phobia? Surveys carried out by Dental Phobia reveal that up to 53% of the UK population are scared of visiting their dentist.
Moreover, 17% of the population have such a bad fear of dentistry that they refuse to visit or get essential dental work done. Simply put, proper tongue positioning occurs when someone gently rests their tongue on the roof of the mouth and away from the teeth. Oral anxiety relieving (anxiolytic) medications (such as temazepam) are sometimes prescribed by dentists or doctors to help anxious patients relax.
A short-acting, small, single dose is usually taken one hour before the dental appointment. If you’re experiencing extreme dental anxiety or dental phobia, sedation may be appropriate. On the other hand, we’ve found, especially in our work with patients with disorders or disabilities, keeping patients awake during treatment can reduce anxiety. Remind yourself that cleaning your teeth and eating healthy can stop you from needing to go to the dentist to fill cavities.
It may help motivate you to make changes. Brush at least twice a day, and floss every day. Use an antibacterial mouth rinse twice a day. LAUGHING GAS Nitrous oxide sedation, also known as laughing gas, is a sedative that your dentist can administer to promote relaxation during your dental visit. They will place a mask on your mouth through which the gas flows to quell your anxiety without putting you to sleep.
Your dentist may prescribe anti-anxiety drugs, such as diazepam (Valium), that you can take one hour before a scheduled dental visit. Your dentist may also recommend conscious sedation, such as nitrous oxide (or “laughing gas”), which can help calm nerves. It’s estimated that around 9-20 of all U.S. adults avoid visiting the dentist due to fear and anxiety. However, not all dental anxiety is the same.
Some people just have a bit of apprehension when going in for a filling or a tooth extraction, while others may start to panic before they even walk through the door. “If someone is in otherwise good oral and systemic health, dentists might recommend going every year. But that’s the minority.” More than 100 million Americans don’t make it for their routine cleaning and exam each year.
Leave a Reply