Being afraid of the dentist is nothing to be ashamed of. Many people share your fears, however some experience these at different levels. There are patients that are mildly afraid; who can cope with fear even though it is makes things more difficult for them. However some patients experience a far more gripping terror that can actually keep them from getting their tooth problems addressed when they should.
Ask yourself the following questions to find out which type of patient you are:
Do You Worry Excessively Prior to Your Appointment?
If feelings of uncontrollable anxiety begins to build prior to your dentist appointment, you may need sedation dentistry. If the feelings worsen to the point of interrupting other tasks and overwhelming your mind so that no other thoughts may enter, ask your dentist about the possibility of sedation.
Have You Had Past Experiences with a Dentist You Consider Traumatic?
Fear doesn’t always just happen, sometimes it is the result of an experience. Can you recall a memory of visiting the dentist that caused your fears? It is completely understandable that you would develop such fears after dealing with a bad experience. Sedation dentistry can help prevent this problem because patients remember little to nothing of their time with the dentist.
Are You Overcome by Fear or Anxiety at the Dentist’s Office?
Many patients feel an overwhelming sensation of fear and/or powerful anxiety when dealing with a dentist appointment. Although this may stem from a previous traumatic experience, it could also just happen without explanation. You notice your body shows physical signs of anxiety, such as an increased heart rate, sweating, and other related symptoms. Sedation dentistry helps you stay calm throughout the ordeal.
Do You Experience Physical Stress Before or During Visits with the Dentist?
The physical signs of stress can have a negative impact on overall health and well-being. These include sweating, increased heart beat, and jittery feelings. Even if your visit is routine, these physical signs can make things much worse. The symptoms can build and worsen. Sedation dentistry is a good way to calm the body as well as the mind.
Do You Become Emotionally Unstable Once You Enter the Dentist’s Office?
Some patients can keep their cool up until the moment they sit down in the big chair. That doesn’t mean they cannot benefit from sedation dentistry. If you experience fear, anxiety, worry, and other similar emotions at any point before or during your appointment, then sedation dentistry will be able to help.
Have You Skipped Dental Appointments for Long Periods Because of Fear or Anxiety?
Simply not going sounds like the best remedy to some fearful patients. Some will go so far as to deal with tooth pain for months or even years. Being in discomfort somehow seems like a better choice, when in reality the patient could have had the problem corrected and live comfortably. Even if you have been ignoring tooth pain for years, it is never too late to get it taken care of. Sedation dentistry can help you overcome fears and follow through with your appointment. Patients arrive, recline and are sedated. They wake up after the procedure with no memory of the procedure and, even more importantly, no pain!
If you ever experienced any of these situations, you are a candidate for Sedation Dentistry.
Call us now at 905- 707-8008 or find out more about the Process of Sedation Dentistry by clicking here.