Going to the dentist is not one of the most exciting things to do in your day. Yet you go, get a cleaning, an exam with the dentist, and a goody bag and you’re good to go. Most people can handle this and other dental procedures, but there are some that can’t. A dental phobia is very real and can be very debilitating. There is some apprehension to having someone stick their gloved hands in your mouth, ask you a question with sharp instruments in it, and a glaring light in your face. It isn’t the most fun, but should not be something that causes phobia.

As a child, every adult seems large in size compared to themselves. When children visit the dentist for the first time, the dentist and their hands reaching toward their small mouths probably seems like a giant’s. If the dentist is not sensitive to a child, that child can grow up with an irrational fear of a dentist. I have heard many times in my chair that adults are afraid of the dentist because of a negative childhood experience. In the past, it was not common practice for dentists to use anesthesia on a child. Some dentists would tell parents that baby teeth have no feeling and that they would not need to numb them for certain procedures. We now know that simply is not true. So now we have a large generation of people as adults,that have this fear when visiting the dentist.

Some people never had a phobia as a child, but had one bad experience as an adult. This lone experience can cause people to not return to the dentist at all. If teeth are left to their own devices, they can have a cavity party! That is not a good thing for a dental phobic. Regular visits can prevent cavities and an emergency in the future.

So what is a phobic to do about the daunting task of going to the dentist? There is always an answer but it depends on the person and how severe the fear is. General dentists can start with talking to a phobic patient. Sometimes just knowing what is going to happen before it happens can put people at ease.

If talking doesn’t calm the nerves, then medication definitely can. Dentists can prescribe a light sedative to patients. They usually take it before the appointment but need to be driven home once the procedure is finished. If all else fails, there are dentists that specialize in sedation dentistry. There are various way a sedation dentist can deliver the drugs, either intravenous (IV) sedation through a tube that goes into the arm or hand or a strong oral sedative. Many times tranquilizers, anti-anxiety medications and depressants are combined with nitrous oxide in the office. These levels of sedation can be safe but not a great way to always receive dental care.

At some point the phobia needs to be dealt with. Present day dentistry is not what it was thirty years ago. The modalities have improved and so have the dentists. People know that going to the dentist is not the most comfortable thing to do, but offices are trying very hard to make it as comfortable as possible. There are offices now that consider themselves “Spa Dental Offices.” They offer great dental care along with spa like amenities.  Some have massage chairs, aromatherapy towelettes, and even a masseuse to massage your back and feet. If you need a little more TLC than a massage, then searching for a sedation dentist is easier then the click of a mouse. Doctorbase has a great way to search for a sedation dentist and even narrow down the search close to your house. Dental phobias are real but they don’t have to be a real pain.

-Alissa