How Do Dentists Deal With Anxious Patients?

Do you feel anxious at the thought of sitting in a dental chair? You are not alone, as millions of people experience dental anxiety at all ages. Some may have experienced a bad dental experience in the past, while others may be nervous about the discomfort or due to the environment, such as the sounds and smells of a dental clinic. Whatever the cause, modern dental care is available and gives you many ways to feel as calm and comfortable as possible during your visits.

Sedation dentistry in Colwood, is one of the most effective forms of care available to help patients effectively relax and receive the care they need without stress or worry. And various less invasive ways will keep you calm. Dentists today understand the balance between gentle communication and advanced comfort techniques; therefore, dentists are more equipped than ever to turn the tense event into a manageable or even pleasant experience.

Why Do Patients Experience Anxious Feelings?

Before deciding on a course of action, dentists want to take the time to understand what it is that creates anxiety for patients, and common considerations include:

• Past painful dental treatment
• Fear of dental instruments or needles
• Sensitivity to sound or bright lights
• Feeling like you can’t control what’s happening while at the dentist
• General anxiety disorder

Understanding why patients feel anxious is critical in developing an effective plan for comfort. Recognizing these trepidations early helps the dental team create a personalized plan based on various considerations.

What Are the Benefits of Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry makes it easier for you to stay calm and comfortable during dental care. It can also:

• Reduce anxiety, body tension,
• Decrease sensitivity and gag reflex for sensitive patients.
• Shorten the time of the procedure, as patients feel like it takes less time.
• Allow more complex procedures to be performed in one appointment.

Sedation remains available, from mild forms of nitrous oxide (commonly called “laughing gas”) to deeper forms like IV sedation, both of which can be selected depending on the patient and procedure.

What is the dentist’s role in establishing comfort?

A skilled dentist in Colwood not only focuses on the technical aspect but also on emotional comfort. For example:

• Explain what each step will be before starting (this is especially true in long appointments)
• Offer breaks during longer appointments
• Use gentle, reassuring communication
• Provide noise-cancelling headphones or a blanket for comfort

These small gestures can go a long way with someone who feels uneasy.

Sedation Dentistry – What to Expect?

When you choose sedation dentistry, your dentist will first review your health history and explain the sedation options available. Common sedation dentistry options include:

• Nitrous oxide: A light gas you breathe in through a mask that helps you relax and wears off quickly after treatment.
• Oral sedation: A pill you take before your visit to help you feel calm.
• IV sedation: Medicine given through a vein for deeper relaxation, often used for longer or more complicated treatments.

Your dentist near you will monitor you throughout to ensure your safety and comfort.

What Pain-Free Dentistry Options Exist Beyond Sedation?

Sedation is an excellent provider of painless dentistry; however, there are many other pain-free dentistry methods dentists employ, including:

• Laser dentistry to reduce pain levels
• Computer-assisted local anaesthesia that enables pain-free injections of local anaesthetic
• Topical numbing gels before needle insertion
• Distractions like TVs and guided left-right breathing

All of these techniques can generally be used in conjunction with sedation for an even more relaxed experience.

How Can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Help with Dental Anxiety?

Some patients would prefer an option that does not involve medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy for dental anxiety involves changing unhelpful thoughts to helpful/positive thoughts. This may include:

• Gradual exposure to dental environments
• Relaxation and breathing techniques
• Re-framing anxious thoughts about pain or lack of control
• Attaining a realistic treatment goal over many appointments

CBT can help people manage their fear of the dentist for a long time, without only using medicine or sedation.

Transform the Way You Feel About Dental Care – Visit Today!

Are you looking for a relaxed way to look after your oral health? At Urban Smiles Colwood, we merge dentistry with a gentle approach through advanced sedation dentistry every visit; we have you covered with everything in mind for the patient first. Call us now to book your appointment when you experience dentistry without fear.