Leatherface, Pennywise, Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, your dentist…wait a minute, one of these things is not like the other! Your dentist is not a notorious villain. In fact, they are a hero to your teeth and gums.
Even if you’ve had bad experiences at the dentist in the past, don’t let that affect your outlook on future visits. Your oral health depends on it.
Read on to learn about the consequences of dental fear, as well as an option for your exam visits that could change everything.
Here’s the Actual Problem with Dental Fear
Fear gets a bad rap, but it’s not the problem. When you let fear control your behavior to the point where it interferes with your well-being – that’s the problem.
With dental fear, so many people let it keep them from visiting the dentist until it’s absolutely necessary. By that time, the damage is often done, and they require complicated, expensive treatments.
Putting off routine cleanings and exams lays the foundation for tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. If caught early on, they can be treated with simple, painless procedures – just another reason your six-month dental checkups and cleanings are so important!
Sedation Dentistry Can Tame Your Fears This Halloween
Your dentist understands that many patients are fearful of checkups for different reasons. Maybe you are scared of the pain, or maybe it’s the sound of the drill. Perhaps it’s the thought of your treatment and what will occur that is intimidating.
Sedation dentistry is the answer to your worries! Your dentist can offer this nerve-calming treatment for any procedure and the staff understands your fears and will not be judgmental about it. The sedation can stop your unwanted thoughts and physical discomfort at the same time.
With oral conscious sedation, you take a pill about one hour before your treatment for complete physical and mental relaxation. If you choose nitrous oxide sedation, you simply breathe the odorless gas for a few minutes before a warm blanket of relaxation glides over you.
This Halloween, let sedation dentistry help quell your fears because the benefits of routine cleanings and exams can be massive for your oral health!
About the Author
Dr. Derek Funk’s favorite part of being a dentist is getting to spend quality time with his amazing patients and talented staff members each day. He is a third-generation dentist who grew up watching the relationships that both his father and grandfather built over the years with local families. He wanted to build relationships of his own while helping people be healthier and feel better about their appearance. Dr. Funk has more than 100 hours of continuing education logged to stay current with his skills and he is a member of the American Dental Association. To schedule an appointment that will utilize sedation dentistry or to learn about the other services offered as a new patient, visit his website or call (979) 401-2962.