What To Do About Dental Anxiety

When was the last time that you visited our office for an oral hygiene examination and cleaning? If it has been longer than six months, then you are due for a visit. If you have been postponing your appointment due to nervous feelings, then you are not alone. There are many people of all ages who suffer from dental anxiety and nervousness. While we are sympathetic to everyone’s feelings, we never want anyone to avoid getting dental care, as it can lead to serious consequences for their current and future oral health. We want to share some helpful tips to help you relax and additional information about an option we offer in our office to get you the care you need. Read on to learn more.

Relax Before Your Appointment

We know that many of our patients experience some degree of nervousness or anxiety before visiting our office. We never want your feelings to hold you back from getting the dental care you need to ensure that you have lasting oral health throughout your life. We want you to feel safe and comfortable while in our care. Here are some tips to help you relax before and during your next appointment:

• Schedule the appointment at a time that works best for you
• Avoid caffeine prior to your visit
• Bring headphones to listen to music, a podcast, or an audiobook
• Be honest about your feelings

Sedation Dentistry

If you know that you will not be able to relax no matter which technique you try, you may be a candidate for sedation dentistry. This option uses medication to help patients relax and get the dental treatment they need. We have two options for sedation that we offer, depending on the degree of your anxiety:

• Inhaled minimal sedation uses nitrous oxide, which is a gas that you inhale during treatment. Once the gas is removed, the sedation effects stop immediately.
• Oral sedation is more involved and requires you to get transportation to and from the office. While you remain awake and can answer questions, you may be groggy and have trouble remembering your time in our office.

We never want nervous feelings to keep you from getting the oral care you deserve. If you have not visited our office for a hygiene examination within the past six months, we encourage you to call our office, which is located in Wellington, FL, and schedule an appointment today. Please express your feelings, and be sure to mention if you are interested in learning more about sedation dentistry. We will be more than happy to help you!