Thursday, April 3, 2014

Dental anxiety? Evergreen Family Dental offers some tips

Not keen on visiting the dentist? There is a name for that. Odontophobia or dentophobia is the technical term for 'fear of the dentist'. According to WebMd, between 9% and 20% of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear; however routine dental check ups are essential to good health.

Ridgefield dentist, Dr. Sandhu, owner of Evergreen Family Dental, explains, "The comfort, relaxation and happiness of the patient are embedded deep at the heart of any good dental practice."

Dr. Sandhu  shares some tips to help alleviate your dental stress.

Talk to the dentist – The dentist is not a mind reader. Though it can be hard to talk about irrational fears with a stranger, the dentist can take extra precautions during visits if fears and anxiety are communicated.

Bring ear-buds or headphones and listen to your favorite songs – Music acts as a relaxant and also drowns out any fear-producing noises. Listening to calming music throughout the appointment will help to reduce anxiety.

Agree on a signal – Many people are afraid that the dentist will not know they are in significant pain during the appointment, and will carry on the procedure regardless. The best way to solve this problem is to agree on a "stop" hand signal with the dentist. Both parties can easily understand signals like raising the hand or tapping on the chair.

Spray the throat – Throat sprays (for example, Vicks® Chloraseptic® Throat Spray) can actually control the gag reflex. Two or three sprays will usually keep the reflex under control for about an hour.

Sedation – If there is no other way to cope, sedation offers an excellent option for many people. There are several types of sedation, but the general premise behind them is the same: the patient regains their faculties after treatment is complete.

Ask about alternatives – Advances in technology mean that dental microsurgery is now an option. Lasers can be used to prepare teeth for fillings, whiten teeth and remove staining. Discuss all the options with the dentist and decide on one that is effective and produces minimal anxiety.


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