Dental anxiety is common, but that doesn’t make it any less difficult to deal with. Nervousness about the dentist can make it harder to maintain your oral health, but it should also be taken care of simply because no one wants to deal with stress. Let’s discuss what you need to know to curb your anxiety. This includes both the signs of dental anxiety, as well as an explanation of how our sedation dentistry services in Murray Hill can help.
We hope this helps you take control of your smile!
Dental Anxiety Symptoms
Physiological Signs
Often, dental anxiety manifests physically. If you’re trying to determine whether you or a loved one have dental anxiety, look for the following:
- Sweating
- Fast heartbeat
- Upset stomach
- Fainting
Psychological Signs
Along with the physical signs, you can often tell that someone’s struggling with dental anxiety by the way they’re acting. They might focus on bad experiences they had at other dental offices, or they could even be trying to mask their fears with humor.
Psychological signs are typically subtler than physiological ones. That said, if someone knows you well, they probably have a good sense of how you act when you’re anxious.
This is one reason why taking a loved one with you to the office can improve the situation: they understand what you need to feel better.
Avoiding the Dentist
Experts say that up to 20% of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety. This creates a vicious cycle, wherein patients get more nervous because of the amount of time that has lapsed since the last time they went to the dentist.
How often you need to go will vary based on your oral health. That said, if it’s been over a year since you last visited, you’re likely avoiding the dentist due to anxiety. The first step is admitting that this feeling is prohibiting you from taking care of your mouth.
What Should You Do If You Have Dental Anxiety?
If you or a loved one have dental anxiety, the next question is how you can overcome your worries and get into a dental office. Luckily, there are many treatment options available to you.
In severe cases, you may wish to see a counselor. However, it’s usually easier to choose a dental office that takes active steps to help patients struggling with anxiety. This could be as simple as allowing you to bring a loved one with you to your appointment.
It can also mean sedation dentistry. We recommend this kind of dentistry for patients who are struggling with stress. It lessens any discomfort you might feel, while also helping you relax.
We’ll have a conversation before you choose this service to ensure that it matches your needs. Our goal is to help maintain and improve your oral health with as little discomfort as possible.
Looking for Sedation Dentistry in Murray Hill?
Coliseum Dental is here for you. We’re proud to combine our state-of-the-art facility with best-in-class patient care. Regardless of what you’re here for, we’ll take care of you and determine how best to serve your needs.
Please contact us today. Whether you’re ready to book an appointment or you have any additional questions you need answered about our dental facility, we’re here to make sure your smile is taken care of.