Do You Have Dental Anxiety or a True Phobia?

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Dr. Khan of Sacramento, CA, is a highly qualified practitioner of sedation dentistry, and understands that there are many varying degrees of dental fears. Sedation dentistry is the branch of dentistry that addresses these fears with safe, proven medical sedation designed to get patients through their required dental treatments easily.

Many patients experience trepidation regarding visits to the dentist. This is not an unfounded fear, and Dr. Khan of Sacramento, CA, wants all of her patients to know that she takes their fears and anxieties very seriously. There are a lot of things that can contribute to a person’s fear of the dentist, but the most common fear is that the dental procedure will cause pain. Other reasons people feel anxious, or even panic, about being in the dentist’s chair are: a general fear of needles (injections), loss of control of the facial muscles (the fear of embarrassing one’s self by drooling, slurring the speech, or dropping food from the mouth) and the loss of personal space when someone else spends time poking around in their mouths. This list is, by no means, a comprehensive list of dental fears. Each patient is unique in their needs.

Let’s look for a moment at the differences between what is known as dental anxiety and its more debilitating cousin dental phobia. Dental anxiety can consist of any combination of dentistry fears.  While any patient with anxiety can tell you that it is unpleasant, it can usually be overcome by clear communication with the dentist, and does not usually result in a complete avoidance of dental procedures due to stress induced panic. Dental anxiety is far more commonly seen than dental phobia. Dr. Khan understands that for many patients, simple reassurance and clear explanation of the procedures to be done is an integral part of dealing with dental anxiety. For those who have dental anxiety, Dr. Khan can either use inhalation conscious sedation in the form of nitrous oxide (commonly called laughing gas) or can prescribe an oral sedative, to be taken before the dental procedure, in the case of more extensive procedures or intense anxiety.

Dental phobia, on the other hand, is characterized by an extreme reaction that results in panic. Some symptoms of dental phobia include: loss of sleep the night before a scheduled dental appointment, fear that escalates while in the dentist’s waiting room, feelings of physical illness at the thought of dental procedures (sometimes even nausea and vomiting can occur), and feelings of panic accompanied by the feeling that one is unable to breathe when approached with dental instruments. Sometimes this phobia is so intense that the patient avoids dental treatment altogether until the dental pain is intolerable. Some cases of dental phobia are so extreme that they require the help of a trained psychologist. Dr. Khan understands that many patients in Sacramento and surrounding areas may struggle with dental anxiety or phobia, and she would like to help.

If you feel that sedation dentistry could help you prepare for dental appointments without breaking out into a cold sweat, make an appointment with Dr. Khan to find out how she can help. Dr. Khan will never push any treatments on any patient, and will consult with you to evaluate what kind of sedation will work best for your particular situation. Whether you simply need something to take the edge off of your anxiety while in the chair, or need to be well sedated for the whole procedure, Dr. Khan will address your needs. Bear in mind that if Dr. Khan recommends oral sedation, it may render you unconscious for the duration of your dental care procedures, and you will need to have a responsible adult accompany you to your appointment, as the sedation used will leave you incapable of getting yourself home safely. Fear of dental procedures does not need to keep you from taking care of your teeth any longer! With sedation dentistry, even the most skittish patient can be made comfortable in the dentist’s chair.