Avoiding the dentist is a common practice for many people. According to Harvard Medical School, 13%-24% of people around the world are afraid of going to the dentist. For some people that experience tooth discomfort in their mouth, dental anxiety is enough to keep them from visiting a dental practice. Whatever the reason, avoiding the dentist can be a dangerous decision.
What starts as a preventable or insignificant problem can, over time, become serious or even irreversible. However, people who take the step of visiting a dentist find that the problems are far more treatable than they may have thought. At No Gaps Dental, our practices utilise inhalation sedation dentistry to help patients who suffer from dental anxiety.
Why Do People Have A Fear of Dentists?
While a trip to the dentist is not always an enjoyable experience for anyone, many experience genuine anxiety and fear just thinking about it. This is especially true for those who have had a bad dental experience in the past.
A common example of this type of experience are patients who have had a cavity filled without being completely numb. Other patients have memories of dentists who used outdated and often crude procedures and equipment.
Simply feeling the vibration of certain instruments is too much for some patients. Having to open your mouth for long periods or having fingers in your mouth can be uncomfortable enough for people to avoid seeing a dental professional.
Many people feel embarrassed about their teeth or think that they have ignored the problem for so long that there’s nothing a dentist can do. Unfortunately, this fear can stem from a rude remark from an inexperienced or unprofessional dental practitioner.
Dental professionals with extensive experience have seen every stage of decay and worked on every type of malformation.
However, not everyone who experiences fear of dentists has a rational reason. For some, the fear is not attached to a specific memory at all.
Many children have a fear of dentists because they have heard about a friend’s bad experience. The learned fear is no less potent than one that stems from an unfortunate memory.
Many people don’t like clinical settings and simply being an environment such as a dental practice, emergency room, or doctor’s office can produce a nervous feeling. Many people do not like the sound of dental instruments or the smell of a dental practice.
Sometimes it is the feeling of vulnerability or lack of control that create apprehension. Being put in a reclined position, off your feet, with bright lights shining on your face can feel unsettling for anyone. For someone with a social anxiety disorder, this alone can be reason enough to avoid going to the dentist.
There are many people with medical conditions that make a visit to dental practices more difficult. Adults and children on the autism spectrum experience escalated sensory sensitivities that can make dental visits seem unbearable. Sufferers of mood or anxiety disorders, those with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and victims of abuse are examples of those who may have a fear of dentists.
How Can People Overcome Dental Anxiety?
Sometimes dental pain and discomfort are significant enough for patients to seek help, but this does not mean they do so without hesitation. Making an appointment can be difficult for patients who have a fear of dentists because the fear of impending discomfort can make the anticipation worse than the visit.
The most important step to overcoming dental anxiety is finding a trusted practice. At No Gaps Dental, people who suffer from dental anxiety can put their minds at ease. Our practices have stellar reputations, and our team of dental professionals have a proven track record of success. We find that for many of our patients with a fear of dentists, explaining exactly what the procedure entails helps to curb their anxiety.
Our modern dental practices utilise the cutting-edge technique of inhalation sedation dentistry to improve the patient experience. This technique has revolutionised the way patients feel about going to the dentist.
What Is Inhalation Sedation Dentistry?
People around the world have trusted the proven inhalation form of sedation dentistry. During this extremely safe procedure, a patient inhales an odourless and flavourless mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (also referred to as laughing gas). This mixture effectively blocks pain and discomfort. It also produces a euphoric response and causes the patient to instantly relax. We carefully monitor the strength and flow of nitrous oxide and oxygen to ensure your comfort.
For patients who fear being unconscious during a procedure, nitrous oxide and oxygen mixture allows for the patient to be consciously sedated. This means that the patient is awake through the procedure but remains comfortable enough to follow prompts by the dentist. This form of sedation does not require preoperative fasting. As the effects of the gas are extremely temporary, the patient can drive themselves to the procedure.
Why No Gaps Dental?
If you have a fear of dentists, we understand that the whole process of setting up a dental appointment may feel new and stressful. You are not alone. One of our diligent staff will walk you through the process.
At No Gaps Dental, we have a comprehensive understanding of dental anxiety and have designed treatments to transform your dental experience. Our knowledgeable and empathetic staff have the expertise to perform any procedure with as little discomfort as possible. When you come into our practices, you will feel welcome, and we will patiently go through our process with you step-by-step before any procedure.
If you have a child with autism, we will happily set up a visit to get acquainted with the practice and discuss treatment options with you.
At No Gaps Dental, we want to show you and your family that you have no reason to feel embarrassed or ashamed by your teeth or mouth. With the use of inhalation sedation, your procedure is performed without incident and without fear.
It’s time for you to feel comfortable and confident about your teeth. Call No Gaps Dental today and ask us about our pain-free inhalation sedation dental services at our Sydney Dental Clinic on (02) 8007 6727. Sedation Dentistry is only provided in selected locations.