Easing Your Fear of the Dentist
Not everyone looks forward to going to the dentist. Some patients, however, have an intense fear or severe anxiety about being in a dental office. Since we can’t afford to avoid professional dental care altogether, it is important to find ways to address your dental phobia. At Alora Dentistry, we understand how to treat anxious or fearful patients of all ages. Along with our comfort amenities throughout our office, we also offer sedation dentistry.
Contrary to what you may think, sedation dentistry doesn’t have involve being “put to sleep” or even being heavily sedated. In fact, there are popular options, such as nitrous oxide inhalation (breathing in a colorless gas) and oral conscious sedation (taking a sedative pill before you arrive), that can help patients achieve a state of deep relaxation while still being able to communicate freely during their dental procedures. Both sedation dentistry options are safe and highly effective. When it comes to nitrous oxide, this sedation wears off within minutes of removing the mask, which makes it ideal for kids as well as adults who need to drive themselves home or return to work.
Part of addressing your fear of the dentist can involve identifying your trigger for your anxiety. It is not uncommon to be an anxious or scared dental patient due to one or more of the following factors:
- Sights, Smells or Sounds of the Dentist (dental drill, latex, etc)
- Bad Dental Experience as a Child
- Fear of Needles or Pain
- Anxiety of Not Being in Control
- Severe Gag Reflex
- Extensive Dental Work/Lengthy Procedure
- Been a Long Time Since Your Last Dental Visit
Whether it is mild embarrassment or paralyzing fear, Alora Dentistry wants you to feel comfortable in our dental office. We offer special needs dentistry and always adhere to a compassionate and non-judgmental approach. If you would like to request sedation dentistry at your next dental visit, please let us know! Keeping a healthy smile doesn’t have to be stressful.