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Conquer Dental
Fears Forever
Sedation Dental Care Can Help You Wake Up To
A Comfortable Beautiful Smile
No one likes going to the dentist, but for those who
suffer dental phobias a trip to the dentist's office
is more than just unpleasant, It is a dreaded intolerable
appointment. Some patients are so terrified that
they can't even come into the building.
Although some patients' phobias are rooted in deep trauma,
most dental phobics can trace their fears to bad experiences
in the dentist's chair, usually during childhood. For
people who were held into a dentist's chair as children,
or ignored when they were experiencing pain, every visit
to the dentist is a return to that sense of helplessness
and terror.
Here at Sedation Dental Care we focus on
treating the whole patient, not just their teeth. Our
staff is focused on listening and communicating with
our patients, building trust and respect. As a patient
you should always feel in control. You should feel that the dentist will
listen when you say you are uncomfortable and will do
everything he/she can to make your experience a pleasant
one. An anxious patient should discuss thier fears with
his/her dentist well before sitting down in the chair. If
the dentist downplays your concerns, find another one.
If your primary concern is pain, find out what forms
of anesthesia the dentist can offer. Local anesthesia
isn't 100 percent effective on all patients. It's
important to see someone who can provide options. Here
at Sedation Dental Care we provide many different options
for anesthesia designed around comfort and function.
For example, one relatively simple technique for reducing
anxiety is to use a local anesthetic that does not contain
epinephrine, which can make the heart race and escalate
a patient's sense of panic. Other options include nitrous
oxide (laughing gas) or pre-medication with anxiety-reducing
drugs. Be forthright about your previous experiences
and fears, and don't settle for anything less than a
comprehensive, caring response. Here at Sedation Dental
Care we guarantee a pleasant, caring and comforting staff.
Dental phobia is a severe fear of the dentist
that over time causes loss of teeth because of the patient's
inability to go to the dentist and receive regular care.
The heart of the matter is that dental phobia can rob
patients of their self-esteem as they become embarrassed
about the appearance of their teeth and withdraw from
friends, coworkers and loved ones.
Why do people hate and fear the dentist so?
Fear of
the dentist is most commonly something that patients
learn from traumatic personal dental experiences. If
these experiences occur as a child and are accompanied
by a real sense of panic, the resulting reaction to
the dentist may become deep-seated, visceral and lifelong. Such patients just don't feel safe in the dental
chair. Patients' recall of their traumatic childhood
experiences often includes being held down against their
will, being yelled at, pain and terror. A recent article
in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed
that people who suffer abuse as children may have
lifelong alterations in their response to stress. If
a patient suffers from post traumatic stress disorder,
the dental office may be just one of many situations
where such patients feel unsafe. Patients who suffer
from panic attacks associated with dental care will
do anything not to have that awful feeling again. Sedation,
which can block the panic response, can be particularly
helpful for dental patients with anxiety attacks.
Other patients may simply have difficulty getting numb
after the dentist gives them an injection. If the patient
is extremely anxious the patient may be sensitive to
the slightest sensation because of the emotional component
of their pain. Many patients may not be particularly
anxious but still may feel pain during dental care because
of anatomical reasons: the presence of infection or
hypersensitivity of the tooth. Local anesthetics (A.K.A.
Novocain), used by dentists to numb the tooth or jaw
may rarely cause patients to become excitable or anxious
in large doses, especially in combination with epinephrine,
a common additive. Newly developed injection techniques
may help in these situations.
Some patients suffer from a severe fear of needles,
also known as needle phobia. As a result people have
trouble going to the dentist, medical doctors or even
getting marriage licenses. A wide variety of techniques
to help at the dentist are available, such as anesthetic
pads or gels administered without piercing the skin.
Patients can also be sedated with an elixir or pill
before any injection.
What can be done to help
people who avoid the dentist because of fear of pain
or embarrassment?
If you have a severe fear of the dentist, the most
important thing is to recognize that Sedation Dental Care is
ready to help you.
Take the time to communicate your feelings and concerns
to your dentist. Make sure the treatment plan that you
and your dentist have chosen reflects your cosmetic
and long term oral health goals. Sedation Dental Care is dedicated to a high level of care and patient
satisfaction. Sedation Dental Care has
the tools to care for you comfortably and has the patience
and experience to guide you through the complete treatment
plan. Consider relaxation and distraction techniques
such as deep (diaphragmatic)
breathing, or headphones. Oral medications such as a
Valium, or something similar, can be used to help you
relax and feel more comfortable.Sedation Dental Care may
be best for very anxious patients who won't have dental
procedures any other way. All medications
will be administered by dentists (called Dental Anesthesiologists,
or sometimes Sleep Dentists) who are well trained and
experienced for the best and safest experience. Sedation Dental Care can be a beneficial
way for patients to experience dental care without fear,
pain or anxiety. Most importantly, it is possible for
you to have your dental care in comfort.
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