When Halloween gets closer every year, you can count on a few things. New scary movies will be released. People will visit haunted houses and other haunted attractions.
But there is something many people find far more frightening than what we mentioned above — going to the dentist.
Some experts have estimated that as many as 4 in 10 Canadians experience some level of dental anxiety. For some, their anxiety is enough to keep them from visiting the dentist at all.
That’s not good for your smile or for your oral health in general. Like dentists throughout Canada, we want our patients in and around White Rock, BC, to keep their mouths as healthy as possible.
And our team at White Rock Dental Group would love to help make your dental care easier. If you would like to learn more about ways we can help, call (604) 635-1695, contact us online, or keep reading.
Understanding Your Dental Anxiety
One thing that certainly helps patients feel more relaxed is having a good relationship with their dentists.
Before you make an appointment for a cleaning or other procedure, we welcome you to visit White Rock Dental Group. This will give you an opportunity to meet us, to learn more about our approach to dental care, and to ask questions. The more we know, the better we are able to help you find a solution so you can get the dental care that you need.
It’s also important to point out that dental anxiety affects different people for different reasons.
You may have had a bad dental experience either as a child or an adult that has made you hesitant to return to a dentist’s chair.
Maybe you had a parent who was afraid of the dentist, and that fear is something that you learned from their behavior.
Maybe you are bothered by the thought of a dentist using a needle to numb your mouth, the sound of a drill, or some other piece of dental equipment. Maybe you have a sensitive gag reflex.
Or maybe you saw a movie that portrayed dentists in a less than positive light. (We promise that we are not like Steve Martin’s character in the movie version of Little Shop of Horrors.)
We do want you to know that any of these are understandable reasons why you may feel anxious about dental care. It’s also why we are doing what we can to help.
Better Dental Care Eases Anxiety
A lot has changed in dentistry since we were kids. With new technology and new techniques, we can perform many procedures will little or no pain.
We also know that some people may need some additional help feeling comfortable getting into a dentist’s chair. Sedation dentistry is an excellent option if you are one of them.
At our practice, we have found that oral sedation has been quite beneficial for many patients. With oral sedation, you will take a prescription pill before your appointment begins. This medication will ease your anxiety, and it serves as an analgesic. This way you can get the care that you need, knowing that you won’t feel any pain.
You should know that the effects of oral sedation may last for a few hours. For this reason, it is important that you arrange for someone you trust to drive you to and from your appointment. You also should plan to rest for a bit after your appointment is over.
Let’s Get To Know One Another
To learn more about us, please feel free to call (604) 635-1695 or contact us online.