20% of Americans suffer from dental anxiety, which is a dangerous medical condition. This frequently results in the person coming up with every justification to avoid showing up for dentist appointments. People with dental anxiety eventually start to have various complications. People frequently worry about visiting a dentist.
When dental anxiety becomes severe and causes patients to postpone or cancel a treatment, they may fit the criteria for odontophobia or dental anxiety disorder. Dental anxiety can occur due to range of causes. Some people are extremely afraid of needles, while others may have previously experienced trauma. You must identify your anxieties and discuss them with your dentist Rancho Bernardo or another healthcare professional because the cause of worry varies from patient to patient.
Many people find that going to the doctor is an unpleasant but manageable experience. Sadly, this habit will lead to a cycle of dental discomfort, health problems, increased anxiety, and more difficult and expensive dental surgeries. It’s never a good idea to avoid making regular appointment. Poor oral hygiene results in the spread of various oral and physical problems.
Managing Dental Anxiety
Relaxation Techniques
Numerous different breathing exercises and relaxation techniques can be used to calm a patient. When patients are feeling anxious in the dentist’s office, it is advised that they perform some of these. To prevent nervous feelings, a few minutes of meditation go a long way.
Patients only need to close their eyes and take slow, deep breaths to practice deep breathing. By doing so, you can relax your muscles, reduce your blood pressure, and slow your heartbeat. Rancho Bernardo dentist can also provide headphones and play some soft music to distract their patients from the treatment.
Be Prepared
The feeling of not being able to control what is going on is one of the causes of anxiety among patients at the dental office. By discussing their concerns with the dentist and asking questions about each procedure before it starts, patients can maintain control over their anxiety. This approach provides the patient with a clear understanding of what to anticipate beforehand.
When a dentist is aware of a patient’s dental phobia issue, he/she can recommend the right dental treatments beforehand by explaining them step by step in detail. The dentist can also come up with a safe solution.
At Hekmat Dental Care they take care of every patient with care and concern. For them, each patient is equally important whether that patient has arrived for a regular checkup or treatment. Dr. Reza Hekmat is the best dentist Rancho Bernardo, who appoints staff with skills and professional experience to handle single and family treatment. They use modern and advanced dentistry methods for better treatment.
Medications and Anesthesia
Your dentist can help you reduce your anxiety in several ways by administering different amounts of sedation along with other drugs. Your dentist might prescribe an anti-anxiety drug which you would take an hour before your appointment. Your dentist may also suggest conscious sedation, such as nitrous oxide (often known as “laughing gas”), which can help calm nerves. This medicine is only used during surgery, and you can still be in control of your physical functions.
Finally, for those with needs or significant anxiety that makes it impossible to receive routine care, or in other situations, anesthesia, which puts you into a deep sleep, may be advised for more invasive jaw procedures. Some of these options might not be advised based on your medical condition, so be sure to tell your dentist about your medical history and any drugs you are taking.
Tag Someone Along
Peer support will make it easier for patients with dental anxieties to remain calm while seeing the dentist. It can be a close friend, relative, parent, sibling, or your better half. Patients should be aware of someone they trust who can help them feel more at ease throughout their session.
Distraction
Even nervousness might be reduced by distractions in the dental office. Have a conversation with your dentist beforehand. Check to see if you can watch TV or a movie during your visit, or perhaps wear headphones and listen to music.
The greatest way to prevent painful and advanced dental treatments is to frequently see your dentist. Your dentist will not only diagnose problems and help you avoid future ones, but he or she will also help you manage your oral health as a component of your overall health. Remember, good oral health is equivalent to overall good physical health.
