Do You Dread The Dentist?

25 Mar Do You Dread The Dentist?

If you dread going to the dentist, you are not alone. It is estimated that 9-15% of American’s avoid the dentist because of an anxiety or phobia. Although that number seems insignificant, it equates to roughly 30-40 million people who are not getting appropriate oral care.

Of course, avoiding the dental chair can lead to gum disease, stained/yellowing of teeth, early tooth loss, cosmetic issues and loss of self-esteem/embarrassment connected to these issues. In fact, embarrassment is one of the main reasons people avoid their regular checkups; they are ashamed of their teeth and their appearance, so they continue to postpone their appointments. A negative, past dental experience and fear of pain are also common reasons for avoiding the dentist. We need to see you regularly!

We realize that both and adults and kids can suffer from at least some form of dental anxiety, so we do our best to make you feel at ease no matter what the age. We feel it is all about the approach – or our chair-side manner. Communication is key: we talk to our patients to avoid any surprises, and we listen to your concerns. Our modern equipment is not only state-of the-art…it’s also quiet. Each of our chairs offers TVs with DVD players. We encourage parents to bring a favorite DVD to keep our youngest patients occupied…and parents can do the same for themselves. We are here to make your visit as comfortable as possible.

However, for those adults who suffer from extreme dental anxiety (phobia), the fear of entering the dental office can be more than they can handle. In these cases, the doctor (or dentist) can prescribe a very low dose oral sedative to take before the appointment.

As always, please call our office with any concerns or needs.