It’s natural for many patients to feel some form of anxiety when visiting the dentist. Whether it’s a fear of sharp objects, worry over potential pain, or lingering anxiety from a past dental appointment, it can be stressful to get the dental treatment you need. But dental anxiety in Cohoes, NY, doesn’t have to stop you from taking good care of your oral health. With help from your dentist and sedation methods, you may be able to overcome your anxiety and keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong.
How to Deal with Dental Anxiety in Cohoes, NY
We can all experience a level of anxiety when going to the dentist. Some patients may only feel anxious when getting invasive treatment, and others can feel anxious just walking through the doors. Whatever level of anxiety you face, your dental care team can help you feel more at ease getting the treatment you need.
Consultations
Many cases of anxiety come from fear of the unknown. When you don’t know what’s going to happen in a dental appointment, it’s easy to feel uneasy about getting treatment. But once you understand how the process will go and why you need it, it’s a little easier to stay calm when in the chair. If you’re anxious about an upcoming appointment, call your dentist’s office to schedule a consultation beforehand. Sitting down with your dentist and going over the process can often help ease anxiety.
Breathing and Distraction
While you’re in the chair, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the number of tools and equipment set up. Some patients’ source of anxiety comes from the noise caused by drills or other tools. Choosing some music ahead of time to listen to through headphones can be a great way to block out the noise and help you stay focused on something else. Many patients can also help ease their anxiety by practicing deep breathing techniques. If your anxiety mainly comes out during treatment, you may want to discuss some distraction techniques with your dentist ahead of time to help you stay comfortable in the chair.
Sedation Dentistry
For patients who have moderate to severe dental anxiety, sedation dentistry may be able to help. These additional medical accommodations can help patients relax and stay calm while getting treatment. There are three main types of sedation dentistry.
- Oral Sedation: Patients take an oral sedative ahead of time that helps them stay aware and conscious while getting treatment.
- Nitrous Oxide: Patients are administered laughing gas while in the chair to calm their nerves while maintaining consciousness.
- IV Sedation: Patients are administered sedation through an IV that puts them to sleep during treatment.
Each sedation method has its own benefits and drawbacks. If you have a fear of dental treatment, talk to your dentist about potential sedation methods. They can help determine which would be best for you.
If you have dental anxiety, Capital Region Complete Dental Care and Implants is here to help. Give us a call at (518) 650-1930 to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you overcome your fears of dental treatment.