Get Sedated: Relief from Dental Nightmares

A lot of people are uneasy about visiting the dentist. In patients with dental anxiety, however, uneasiness is just the tip of the iceberg. Dental phobics experience an intense dread even with just a minor examination. Below are symptoms:

·         the idea of a dental visit makes him sick

·         difficulty of sleeping the night prior to a dental visit

·         mounting tension being felt while in the waiting room

·         anxiety is felt at the sight of dental instruments or white coats

·         panic and breathing difficulty is experienced as the mouth is being examined

There are three main reasons why people fear going to the dentist: embarrassment, pain, and loss of control. In addition, dental fear may also be attributed to stimulus generalization. This happens when one had a very distressing experience in hospitals such that he has come to associate them with white coats and the scent of antiseptics—which are also present in the dental field. Furthermore, the feelings of vulnerability during a dental exam trigger stress on people with a history of abuse.

As with most types of phobia, the condition requires behavioral therapy. For patients in need of an urgent treatment, sedation is best used in conjunction with it. This technique allows dentists to get the work done without the patient experiencing anxiety or pain; or having any memory of the procedure.