How We Help Patients Overcome the Fear of Dental Treatment

Many people are afraid of the dentist, which is a common reason behind many missed dentists’ appointments. It is always important to visit the dentist at the scheduled time because the initially easily treatable problems can quickly deteriorate without intervention. For example, bleeding gums can lead to periodontitis, which can then lead to loss of teeth. At Good Samaritan Dental Clinic, we offer several treatment options that are aimed at patients with dental anxiety. Below we discuss the three ways we treat patients who fear treatment at the dentist’s office:

Counseling

In most patients with dental anxiety, there may have been a negative experience in their early years at the dentist. During a visit to our clinic, our dentists will discuss your anxiety with you to understand its possible cause. The dentist will then explain the oral examination and treatment procedures to calm your fears. In many cases, our patients find they are able to accept treatment after one or two counseling sessions at our clinic. If the dentist determines that severe anxiety is present and that it cannot be treated with a few counseling sessions, they may conclude that anesthetic treatment is the best way to treat a patient.

Sedation

Laughing gas sedation is also a tool that helps in the treatment of patients with dental anxiety. Pure oxygen is then first administered through a nasal mask, followed by a small amount of nitrous oxide. After a few minutes, the patient experiences a pleasant and relaxed feeling, which reduces the anxiety of dental treatment. Laughing gas sedation does not have a pain-relieving effect. Therefore,the dentist can combine laughing gas sedation with an anesthetic.

General anesthesia

In the most serious cases of dental anxiety, there is the option to go under anesthesia during dental procedures. With this option, the anesthetist puts the patient under general anesthesia. They monitor functions such as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate so that the dentists can continue to do their work undisturbed. The patient will not feel anything while under the effect of anesthesia. The effects wear off an hour after the procedure, after which the patient can go home under supervision.

If you are struggling with dental anxiety and would like to get treatment from dentists with a sensitive, sympathetic approach, please get in touch with us today.