Are you afraid of the dentist? Does the thought of picking up the phone to call the dentist cause your heart to start thumping and your stomach to turn in knots? You are not alone, and you are not doomed to an unhealthy smile!
That’s right, there are ways for you to get the dental care you need without having to feel terrified during the entire visit! We have solutions at Really Smile here in Carmel, IN. Real, effective, and safe dental sedation solutions that will change your relationship with the dentist office (and your life) forever!
Today, let’s take a look at the reason why many patients feel fear of the dentist and what we can do to help you overcome that fear so that you can have a healthy smile that lasts for the rest of your life!
Past Experiences Cause Fear
Most patients who feel afraid of the dentist do so because of experiences in the past. Babies aren’t born being afraid. They develop fear based on experience and information they gather along the way. Below are the three main reasons for fear.
Painful Procedures – In the not so distant past (and still practiced today, unfortunately), dentists used procedures that were painful. They weren’t concerned with the way the patient felt; they were only concerned about getting the job done. If you experienced one of those procedures, it’s no wonder you are afraid to come back to the dentist office!
Childhood Fear – As we mentioned before, children learn their fears. If a young child has to undergo a dental procedure, even one as basic as a filling, it can lead to a lot of fear down the road.
Scary Stories – We have a group of people that we love, respect, and trust. Usually that is our family. If your grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, or anyone else told you that going to the dentist is scary, then you believe them! It’s only natural! The problem is that you are too afraid to go to make up your own mind, and you end up with an unhealthy smile!
Building a New Experience
It’s time to build a new experience for yourself. We understand past experience. We know what it is like to fear the dentist. We are willing to help you overcome those fears so that you can have a great experience for the future. We want you to be able to enjoy life once again, which is why we are here with dental sedation options.
Sedation Options from Really Smile
No matter your level of fear or your health conditions, we have a sedation option for you! Take a look at our information below that will help you determine which method will lead to your successful dental appointment.
Nitrous Oxide – “Laughing gas” is commonly used in offices around the world. You have probably experienced it before. It’s great for simple procedures and mild fears, but not everyone is able to feel relaxed using this method.
Oral Conscious – A prescription sedative is given to you to take before you come into the office. This works well for patients with moderate to severe dental anxiety, but it can be difficult to control and adjust during your procedure. Plus, not everyone feel comfortable taking a drug in order to relax for their appointment.
General Anesthesia – For severe dental anxiety (or significant dental work) we offer general anesthesia to patients with the help of a licensed anesthesiologist. This is reserved for extreme cases because it is the very highest level of sedation available.
NuCalm Relaxation – For patients who want to feel relaxed during their appointment but don’t want to use prescription drugs, we offer NuCalm. This is a revolutionary technique that allows you to go into the first stage of sleep during your treatment. It is a four part process that uses adrenaline inhibitors, relaxation patches, noise-cancelling headphones, and an eye mask that blocks the light.
Find the Sedation Option That Works for You
Not sure which sedation option would be your best option? Let us know! We are more than happy to discuss your options in advance. Contact us today to learn more. We will start by learning more about you, and then we will get to work to find you the best sedation solution!
Dr. David A. Smith explains his vision of life-changing dentistry for Really Smile Dental: