Afraid of the Dentist? Try a Pain Free Dentist
You’ve been experiencing a great deal of tooth pain. You’ve been throwing painkillers at it to avoid making a dentist appointment. Ever since you were little, you’ve been afraid of sitting in that chair.
You’re not sure if it’s the sound of the drills or the fact that your first appointment didn’t go too well, but you can’t make yourself pick up the phone. Ease your anxiety by seeking out a pain free dentist?
Does such a thing exist, and how does it work? We’ve got all the details that you need to know. Keep reading to find out more about what the best dentist can do for you.
Is There Such Thing as a Pain Free Dentist?
Contrary to popular belief, there is such a thing as a painless dentist. With advances in technology, practitioners don’t have to use drills and other tactics quite as much.
By using the different types of anesthesia, you’ll walk out of your appointment without feeling a thing. Easing dental anxiety does go past the treatment side of things. A good family dentist will keep you comfortable, from the time you enter the waiting room to the time you walk out to your car to leave.
Local Anesthesia
The main thing that stops people from going to the dentist is the idea of being in pain. If you have a problem with this, talk to the physician during your dentist appointment. They can prepare the appropriate anesthesia for you.
If you need to get a cavity filling, crowns, or gum disease treatment, the dentist will use local anesthesia. First, they will numb the area using a topical cream or gel. Once that kicks in, they’ll use an injection to block the nerves that send pain signals to your brain.
Oral Sedation
If you have bad dental anxiety, your dentist can help you stay calm by giving you a sedative in the form of a pill. It should stop you from feeling too much pain until the procedure is over.
Nitrous Oxide
In many cases, you can stay awake for your entire dental procedure. If the idea of this freaks you out, your dentist may offer to give you nitrous oxide. You probably know this substance as laughing gas.
The dentist will secure a mask over your face to administer the gas. It will keep you relaxed throughout the entire procedure. You won’t even realize that your mouth is being worked on.
Intravenous Sedation
Intravenous sedation is a little stronger than the oral pill. It involves injecting a sedative right into your vein. You won’t feel any pain because you’ll barely know where you are.
If your dentist goes this route, they might keep you a little longer than usual. They’ll want to monitor your condition as you start to snap out of it.
You should also make sure to bring a family member or friend with you to the appointment if you have to get intravenous sedation. Even after you come to, you’ll still be too out of it to safely drive yourself back home.
General Anesthesia
Depending on the procedure, you may have to be put to sleep for the entire surgery. This is what general anesthesia is for. A professional will come in and put you under.
This administrator will sit in throughout the procedure to keep track of your condition.
Laser Dentistry
Another thing that scares people about going to the dentist is the idea of a drill being put in their mouth. With advances in technology, your dentist doesn’t have to use the drill any further.
They can use a laser to scrape decayed enamel and plaque off the surface of your teeth. Not only are lasers a little less frightening than drills, but they also work a lot faster. You’ll be in and out of the dental chair before you know it.Â
Providing a Cozy Environment
Keeping you comfortable and pain free doesn’t end or begin with working on your teeth. Nerves and physical comfort go hand in hand after all.
As soon as you walk into the office, you should be met by a friendly face who helps you get signed in. This will set the mood for the rest of your appointment, as will comfy waiting room chairs.
Easing Dental Anxiety
Again, emotional unease is closely linked to physical discomfort. If you go into the dentist’s office expecting to be met with pain, that’s what you’re going to get out of it. It doesn’t matter if you go to a pain free practitioner or not.
That means you need to take strides to beat your dental anxiety before you walk in. Choose a dental office that has TVs in the waiting room. It will keep you distracted until your appointment starts.
There’s safety in numbers. If you know that you won’t be able to calm down no matter what you do, bring a friend with you. Knowing that there’s someone there for you might be enough to help you relax.
Always make sure not to arrive at your dental appointment early. This gives your mind too much time to create the worst possible scenarios and relay them to you in horrifying HD.
Kick Your Dental Anxiety to the Curb With a Pain Free Dentist
If you’ve always been afraid of sitting in the dental chair, it might not be a bad idea for you to seek out a pain free dentist. They have all the tools at their fingertips to make sure you get through any procedure while experiencing as little pain as possible.
Not only do they have top-of-the-line technology and sedation techniques, but they also take strides to make their waiting room as comfortable as possible. If that doesn’t kick your dental anxiety to the curb, we don’t know what will.
You can put off getting dental work for as long as possible if you take care of your teeth. For all the latest oral health tips, check out our blog.