Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of Fort Lauderdale
7752 W. Commercial Blvd.
Lauderhill, FL 33351
(954) 741-4500
Email Us
Drs.Dolgow & Fiacos Blog
Posts for tag: sedation dentistry
Three quarters of people surveyed have admitted to having some fear about going to the dentist. About 10% to 15% are so afraid that they never go. Because they put off checkups and treatment they end up with toothaches, infections, and even lost teeth.
You should know that even those who are most afraid of the dentist can learn to reduce their fear and have dental treatment in comfort.
How does fear of the dentist get started?
Fear is learned behavior. People may learn it from stories they have heard from their parents or others, or they may learn it first hand by having a bad dental experience. Once the fear is planted, they avoid going to the dentist, so there is no way for them to learn that a visit can be a positive experience.
If you are among those who fear going to the dentist, the fearful feelings you have can be enough to reinforce themselves. Sweaty palms, rapid heartbeat, and a queasy stomach are not pleasant, and if you experience such feelings they may be your main memories after an appointment, even if the visit was not frightening in itself.
Dental fear can be a subconscious automatic response. This means that you can't control it and make it go away. But there are things you can do to reduce your fear and feel comfortable during your appointment.
Move slowly and get help to conquer your fears.
You need to have new, positive experiences to counteract the bad experiences you had in the past. Realize that you are not alone, many people share this fear. Then talk about your fears with our office. We will start by doing things that cause only mild or no anxiety. You want each visit to be a good experience, so you are able to leave our office with a feeling that this was okay, and you can do it again. It may take a while to train yourself to get over your fears, but we have helped many people accomplish this — and you can, too.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment to discuss your questions about any fears you may have. You can also learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Overcoming Dental Fear & Anxiety.”
Unfortunately, going to the dentist may still be a fear and anxiety provoking experience for some people even with modern dental techniques — an interesting phenomenon given the fact that no one is born with fear. It is either a learned response based on personal experience or one that is literally imagined based upon hearing of another's treatment. However, regardless of how it develops, a person's perception is their reality. The good news is that we are here to both listen and to offer our patients the benefits of oral sedation (sedation dentistry) that allows relaxation of mind and body. Thus you can focus on feeling peaceful rather than anxious.
While research has shown that 75% of all people surveyed have at least a little fear about going to the dentist, 10-15% have a great deal of fear. In fact, some of these people experience so much fear that they will cancel dental appointments or never schedule in the first place. If the latter describes your feelings, we encourage you to ask us about sedation or comfortable dentistry so that you can receive the oral healthcare you need and deserve to maintain optimal dental health.
And this good news gets even better when you understand that oral sedation does not even involve injections (shots)! We typically administer oral sedation in one of two methods: by giving you a pill to swallow whole or by giving you a tablet to place under your tongue (sub-lingually) where it dissolves. Once the prescription medication takes effect, you will remain awake and aware of your surroundings; however, the medication will help you transition from feeling nervous to a more comfortable state of being. Most of our patients describe their experience as “comfortable” or “relaxation” dentistry due to how they feel during their treatment. Simply put, the anti-anxiety (anxiolytic) medication almost literally dissolves away your fears.
Want to learn more?
Contact us today to discuss your questions or to schedule an appointment. You can also learn more by reading the article “Overcoming Dental Fear & Anxiety.”
Archive:
Tags
- pediatric dentistry (7)
- oral health (31)
- sports dentistry (5)
- dental injuries (5)
- oral hygiene (6)
- fun dental facts (1)
- periodontal (gum) disease (2)
- dental health tips (1)
- smile makeover (7)
- veneers (2)
- cosmetic dentistry (17)
- crowns (2)
- dental emergencies (4)
- wedding day smiles (1)
- bad breath (3)
- common symptoms (8)
- snoring and sleep apnea (4)
- teeth whitening (5)
- root canal (3)
- sedation dentistry (2)
- oral sedation (2)
- laser dentistry (2)
- invisalign (1)
- orthodontics (3)
- clear orthodontic aligners (1)
- sensitive teeth (2)
- tooth decay (5)
- nutrition (1)
- teeth grinding (1)
- night guards (1)
- dental hygiene (1)
- dental hygienist (1)
- braces (5)
- chewing gum (2)
- xylitol (1)
- sleep apnea (1)
- snoring (1)
- sleep (1)
- wisdom teeth (2)
- retainer (2)
- dental implants (3)
- bridgework (1)
- dental crowns (1)
- tmj (1)
- tmd (1)
- tooth colored fillings (1)
- fillings (1)
- celebrity smiles (3)
- dental implant (1)
- sealants (1)
- dentures (2)
- dental anxiety (1)
- tooth wear (1)
- periodontal disease (2)
- gum disease (2)
- diabetic (1)
- denture (1)
- retainers (1)
- thumb sucking (1)
- age one dental visit (1)
- first dental appointment (1)
- bleeding gums (1)