Emergency Dentistry and Overcoming Dental Anxiety

If you are scared of visiting the emergency dentist, there is no need to worry. Dental anxiety is a common phenomenon that many people deal with. Dental phobia is worse than anxiety. The idea of dental visits causes serious panic and terror in such people. Although such patients know that the fear is irrational, they are often helpless and always do all they can to avoid dental appointments. In some cases, psychiatric consultation may be necessary for pathologic anxiety. Patients with dental anxiety only visit the dentist when they are in unbearable pain.
When dental emergencies occur, prompt treatment is usually important to prevent the condition from worsening. The emergency dentist will deploy different methods to keep the patient as comfortable as possible and help them overcome their fears.
Signs of dental anxiety
Patients with dental anxiety may exhibit the following signs:
- Sleeplessness the night before the dental appointment
- Crying or falling ill over the idea of visiting the dentist
- Increased nervousness when in the waiting room of the dental office
- Severe restlessness when dental tools are being used during treatments
The cause of dental anxiety
People develop dental phobias for many reasons, including:
Fear of pain
A patient’s fear of pain is a common excuse for avoiding the dentist. The fear typically originates from previous dental experience or painful stories told by others. Due to advances in technology and techniques used in dentistry, most dental procedures are now remarkably less painful or sometimes painless.
Fear of injections
The fear of needles is a common occurrence, especially when it will be inserted into their mouth. Aside from this, many patients are nervous that the anesthesia may not kick in or be effective enough to remove pain before the dental procedure commences.
Fear of side effects
Some patients are concerned about the potential side effects of dental procedures and anesthesia, such as drowsiness or nausea. Others may not like the numbness or swelling often associated with local anesthesia.
Fear of losing control
Many people fear that once they sit in the dental chair, they lose control over themselves since they are unable to see the events taking place. Others may feel uncomfortable with having a dentist explore their mouth. This feeling is common, but the emergency dentist will try to reassure the patients that they can stop the procedure anytime they want to. Patients can ask the dentist about the stages involved in the procedure to get an overview of what to expect.
Overcoming dental anxieties
The most effective way to overcome dental anxiety is by discussing with the dentist. This may seem counter-intuitive, but the dentist is not the enemy. They will be able to work with the patient to develop a way to relieve anxiety and keep them comfortable.
Final note
When dealing with dental anxiety, going to the emergency dentist, especially during emergencies, may not sound exciting. However, you must understand that treatment is necessary to relieve the pain you feel. Options are available under sedation dentistry to alleviate the discomfort and pain associated with many dental procedures.
Request an appointment here: https://astoriadentalspa.com or call Astoria Dental Broadway at (718) 786-8667 for an appointment in our Astoria office.
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