I'm Anxious About My Upcoming Dental Appointment

Face it, going to any health care appointment isn’t how most of us want to spend our free time, but checkups are essential to sustaining good health. Visiting the dentist for regular examinations and professional cleanings is as important as visiting your primary care doctor.

But what happens when the mere thought of picking up the phone to schedule a dental appointment triggers anxiety, panic, and fear? First, take a deep breath, says Ginger Rome, DDS, at The Dentists at North Cypress in Houston, Texas. There are strategies and treatment options that can help.

Dental anxiety is real

Let’s unpack this discussion by acknowledging that dental anxiety is a real thing recognized as a phobia among mental health professionals. Despite what friends or family may say, dental anxiety or phobia is common. It can produce a wide range of physical and mental symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, trembling, or extreme panic.

An estimated 36% of Americans have a fear of the actual dental treatment, with 12% having an extreme fear. For some patients, the mere sights, smells, and sounds connected to the dentist’s office are triggers. For others, it’s about the fear of gagging, getting injections, the thought of experiencing pain, or a prior bad experience at the dentist’s office.

Cut yourself a break, then speak up

While the first knee-jerk reaction may be to feel embarrassed and not talk about your dental anxiety to anyone, that’s probably not a good long-term strategy. After all, we all know of at least one co-worker, friend, or family member who has scheduled, canceled, and rescheduled dental appointments repeatedly. Until, of course, they got a painful toothache or had to get a root canal.

Do yourself a favor and gently cut yourself a break. Next, open up to your dentist or find one you can be open and honest with, and tell them about your fear and anxiety. Dentists won’t judge you. We want to help preserve and sustain your oral health, but we can’t help if you don’t let us in.

Do not let your oral and overall health suffer

Have you ever heard the phrase that your oral health is a window to your overall health? It may sound like just another pithy cliché, but it’s so true. The connection between oral health and overall health is all about germs and infection.

A vast majority of all systemic diseases like cancer and diabetes, as well as heart and kidney disease, have oral symptoms like dry mouth, mouth ulcers, and gum disease. If you or someone you know had a transplant or heart surgery, you may recall that they needed to get a clean bill of dental health before their surgery. It is crucial to find strategies to mitigate your dental fear so you can make your regular preventive dental care appointments.

Conscious sedation can help

Various treatment options can keep you relaxed during your next dental appointment. At The Dentists at North Cypress, we use conscious sedation or inhalant medications to help calm and relax patients who are fearful or anxious. You’ve probably heard of nitrous oxide, nicknamed laughing gas, which is the most common form of conscious sedation.

Nitrous oxide is half nitrous oxide, a colorless, odorless gas, and half oxygen. Your dental provider places a mask over your mouth and nose and you breathe in. You immediately feel relaxed and perhaps a little giddy, which beats feeling anxious.

What’s beneficial about conscious sedation is you’re awake and aware but distracted. As an inhalant, not only is it fast-acting, but it wears off just as quickly. That’s right, no injections or needles, and no waiting for the numbness to wear off. But that’s not all. Since the effects of conscious sedation wear off once your treatment is over, you can safely drive yourself home.

Keep in mind if you’re likely to get an upset stomach, your dentist may recommend an alternative treatment option to address your dental anxiety. If you fear going to the dentist and want to learn if conscious sedation is right for you, contact The Dentists at North Cypress. Call us today or schedule an appointment online.