What is Dental Phobia?
Congratulations on taking the first step to overcoming your fear of dentists. You will find information on techniques used to calm patients and techniques that are painless.
Dental phobia is the serious, often paralyzing fear of seeking dental care. It has been reliably reported that 50% of the population in some countries does not seek regular dental care. An estimated 9-15% of all avoids much needed care due to anxiety and fear surrounding the dental experience. This translates into some millions of people so afraid of dental treatment that they avoid it altogether
In terms of your dental health and overall well-being, this can have serious ramifications. Besides chronically infected gums and teeth which can affect your medical status, your ability to chew and digest can be seriously compromised. Without healthy gums and teeth, your speech can be affected as well. Your self confidence can be compromised if you are insecure about your breath and smile. This can lead to serious limitations in both your social and business environments.
One of the specialties at A Better Smile Dental Centre is coaxing phobic patients back into the dentist’s chair. To this end, dentists have an expanding array of tools on their trays.
For patients who dread the injection of anesthesia more than the procedure that follows, there are new techniques, in which the operator moderate the flow of fluid into the gums and make pressure in other areas, reducing the discomfort caused by the old-style syringe. You see, it’s the uneven flow that is the primary cause of pain during injection, not the prick of the needle itself, and even if the prick is uncomfortable, we also use the new cold spray system for this. Just try again and let us show our improvements.
Q. Is fear of dentists common?
A. Very! Almost all patients who are fearful think they are the only ones who fear going to the dentist. The truth is that dental fear is more common than even dentists think. It is estimated that as many as 50% of the population does not get regular dental care, most of which is due to fear.
Q. What causes dental fear?
A. The most common cause is a traumatic dental experience at an early age. This is why regular preventive dental care to avoid dental problems is so important. Other causes include childhood sexual abuse, claustrophobia, agoraphobia, cross phobias (where patients exhibit a number of phobic disorders), panic disorders, anxiety disorders and what I call phobia by association. Phobia by association happens when a patient learns to fear something without any direct experience. An example would be when peers try to scare a child by telling him the dentist is going to hurt him.
Q. Can I be put to sleep for my dentistry?
A. You can but there are some negatives. Although general anesthesia has a great safety record none the less there is a small chance of complications, the most serious of which is death. You may also have to be hospitalized and most insurance policies won’t cover this. There are a few specialists called anesthesiologists who will be willing to work in your dentist’s office to put you to sleep. Because most dentists are under time constraints when using general anesthesia the quality of the dentistry is compromised. Patients who have their dentistry done under general anesthesia are encouraged to have their teeth cleaned frequently by doing so these, as often as every other month, patients will prevent future problems and, reduce their fear of the dental office as they become accustomed to dental visits.
At A Better Smile Dental Centre we offer several Sedation Dentistry options and you can be sure we meet the highest standard to ensure your mouth and overall health will nevre be compromised.
Q. What are some safe and affordable alternatives?
A. Intravenous sedation, oral sedation and nitrous oxide conscious sedation have all been used with great success.
Q. I’ve heard about laughing gas. What is it?
A. Laughing gas is another name for nitrous oxide conscious sedation. It is an excellent and safe way to relax a fearful patient. Nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen is delivered to the patient through a nose piece. The dentist can regulate how much the patient gets and the patient can control the effect with his breathing. The patient is awake but relaxed and responsive.
Q. Do I still have to get Novacain if I use the gas?
A. For minor procedures relaxing gas is excellent as a pain eliminator. However, it should never be used as a substitute for adequate anesthesia.
Q. I am pregnant. Is it safe to use a low dose of laughing gas at the dentist for a filling?
A. No, it is not. There is a much higher risk of miscarriage with laughing gas. I would also recommend delaying any dental fillings until your second trimester. If it’s something that can wait until you deliver; that’s even better. Don’t skip your cleanings however. That’s very important.
Q. My teeth are in such bad condition that I’m afraid the dentist will yell at me or make me feel foolish
A Better Smile Dental Centre our dentist and hygienist are trained to deal with dental phobic patients and never criticize them. Instead, we encourage and help them to improve their dental health and appearance.
Q. I’m deathly afraid of needles. Can they be avoided?
A. In some cases, yes. Some dentists use air abraders that use fine abrasive particles to remove decay; Most of the time this is painless, and doesn’t require Novocain. There are different techniques we can use to make the Novocain injection painless. We can use topical anesthetics, anesthetic mouth rinses, cold ice, Novocain adhesive patches and other techniques to insure that you experience no discomfort when getting Novocain.
Q. Can the fear itself be treated?
A. Absolutely. There are psychologists who treat fears such as fear of flying, fear of driving and fear of dentists. Through a process called desensitization you can learn how to relax and overcome your fears. We hope to offer you more specific information in the future about therapists in your area who treat phobias.
I also have received special training in Dental fear to help you through out your visits.
If you have more questions, Dr. Kligman and his staff will be able provide you with more information.
