Speak up Tell your dentist about your anxiety. When you book your appointment, tell the receptionist you're nervous about dental visits. Remind the dentist and dental staff about your anxiety when you arrive. Share any bad experiences you may have had in the past, and ask for suggestions on coping strategies.
Anti-Anxiety Pills
The most commonly prescribed dental related drugs that treat anxiety belong to the “benzodiazepine” family. Drugs such as Valium, Halcion, Xanax, or Ativan. These drugs decrease anxiety by binding and toning down activity within “fear” receptors in the brain.
Putting anxious patients in control of the appointment, such as allowing them to dictate start and stop times, can help relax their mental state. Physical relaxation is part of the equation as well, with breathing techniques, pleasant aromas, and calming music all playing a role.
Dental anxiety is incredibly common and can affect anyone. The term is generally used to describe feelings of unease, fear, or stress before or during a dental appointment.
Anxiety Medications Used for Sedation Dentistry
In this type of sedation, valium or Xanax are sometimes given the night before the procedure (such as the root canal procedure). Then, about an hour before the visit a Halcion is taken.
Yes, your dentist can put you to sleep during treatments. However, your dentist will begin looking at conscious sedation options first. Conscious sedation involves using medications to help you relax during a dental procedure. It's ideal for patients who feel anxious, nervous, or cannot sit still during dental visits.
Bring headphones and listen to an audiobook or music.
Listening to music or a funny audiobook before and while you're getting a cavity filled can help you relax. Consider what best relaxes or distracts you, whether it's loud, heavy music or something more calming.
It is recommended you do not have anything to eat or drink (except for water) at least 5 hours before your scheduled appointment. This will prevent food debris from lodging in your teeth, which can irritate you during a cleaning and give your dentist a little extra work to do.
If so, you're not alone. Many people suffer from dental anxiety, which is a fear of having their teeth worked on. In fact, this anxiety is what makes many people avoid going to the dentist altogether. However, it's imperative you see your dentist if you suspect you have a cavity or other dental issue.
Dental Anxiety Treatment Options
Some coping techniques that can assist some individuals include deep breathing, meditation, and hypnosis. Perhaps your dentist offers these techniques which are a little like daydreaming, these techniques allow you to gain control over your feelings of distress, panic, or fear.
How many teeth can I have extracted at once? There is no limit to the number of teeth you can have extracted at once. While having multiple teeth extracted during the same procedure is rare, it is sometimes the only option for patients with severe tooth decay.
How long does a tooth extraction take? This procedure is quicker than you'd think. The entire process of pulling a tooth—from administering the anesthetic to applying stitches if needed—typically takes anywhere between 20-40 minutes. That said, the procedure will take longer if you require more than one tooth pulled.
What Is Oral Sedation? Also called pill sedation, oral sedation is a type of sedation dentistry that uses prescription medication to help patients relax before and during their dental exams. The medication used for oral sedation is usually a type of benzodiazepine such as Valium, Xanax, or Halcion.
Oral anxiety is the stress effects on oral health. Stress or anxiety can impact your oral health; when you are stressed, your immune system is compromised, and while the cause of canker sores is not proven, there is some correlation or higher likelihood between lowered immune and those nasty painful canker sores.
Oral sedatives like diazepam can also help you to relax during a dental procedure. You must take the pills about an hour before your appointment. You will be fully awake but without the anxiety. You may feel sleepy until the effects of the drug wear off.
Dentophobia is a fear of the dentist. People with this specific phobia feel anxious when they think about going to the dentist or actually visit the dentist. Past negative experiences, family history or feeling a loss of control can lead to dentophobia.
The reason your dentist normally numbs your mouth as part of the filling process is that they must use a drill to remove decayed tissue from inside the tooth. Without anesthesia, you may feel some twinges of pain while that is happening.
You Are Afraid It Will Be A Long Visit
Nope, dental fillings don't require a lot of time. They're simple, they are highly effective, and you will be surprised once we are through that it took so little of your time. Remember that just about everyone you know has probably had a filling at some point.
Keep in mind that you won't feel anything during this procedure, and it doesn't take very long. In fact, getting a filling might take just a few minutes. Since fillings are such a common and simple dental procedure, there aren't any major risks involved.
Cavities are nothing to be embarrassed about, and they are definitely not something to try and ignore. Cavities that are not caught early on at your regular check-ups can cause tooth pain or aches, especially after ingesting hot, cold, sweet food or beverages.