Dental Anxiety

Dental Anxiety: What’s True and What’s Not at the Dentist

Dental anxiety is very common in people of all ages. It often induces feelings of fear or nervousness, both of which are somewhat to be expected from dental appointments and procedures. However, when dental anxiety causes one to avoid the dentist's office, problems may arise. When this is the case, it is important to try and get on top of dental anxiety. One way to do that is by going over what is true and what is not! More often than not, feelings of fear or nervousness come from myths and tales that are not even close to the truth. 

Understanding what is true at the dentist

Outlined below are a few truths and myths that can be helpful to review when experiencing dental anxiety.

Root canals are unbearable

One of the biggest myths in dentistry is that root canal procedures are absolutely unbearable. Long ago, the procedure was known to cause pain, which induced a lot of dental anxiety. However, over the years, the technology has improved greatly, which has allowed for pain management solutions, thus eliminating the discomfort. Understanding that there is pain eliminating solutions should help to reduce dental anxiety. 

Dentists are not gentle

Individuals who experience dental anxiety may fear that the dentist will not be gentle; however, that is far from the truth! Dentists undergo a lot of training to learn how to be gentle and careful when performing procedures or simple check-up appointments. 

There is no way to manage dental anxiety

When dentistry first was being practiced, there were not a lot of ways to manage dental anxiety, yes. However, currently, there are a lot of ways! Sedation dentistry, as well as other relaxation techniques, can be quite helpful in combatting dental anxiety. 

Sedatives can only be used for serious procedures

False! Sedatives can indeed be used for serious procedures; however, they can also be used for check-up appointments and minor procedures. A lot of people experience dental anxiety regardless of the type of appointment, which is where sedatives can be quite helpful. Nitrous oxide, for one, is a gentle and mild sedative that helps induce relaxation. 

Dental restorations cause discomfort

There is a common misconception that dental restorations cause discomfort; however, that is not the case. They actually reduce and eliminate discomfort caused by unhealthy teeth. While the procedure itself may be uncomfortable, the results are a much healthier tooth that will not cause aches or pain. 

Restoration procedures should not be feared as modern-day technology ensures that there is little to no discomfort during the actual procedure. Afterward, there may be slight soreness, which can be remedied with over-the-counter pain relievers. 

Find out more from the dentist

Individuals who are experiencing dental anxiety can consult with a dentist to find out more. Any questions or concerns can be appropriately addressed, which can be helpful for reducing and eliminating anxiety. To learn more or to get scheduled for an appointment, reach out today. 

Request an appointment here: https://beniciadentist.com or call Southampton Dental Care at (707) 887-5075 for an appointment in our Benicia office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Anxiety in Benicia, CA.

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