You CAN Overcome Dentophobia!

The dentist’s office has long been a source of bad puns and jokes, but for many of you, a fear of the dentist is no laughing matter. For some, this dental anxiety or fear is so severe that appointments are avoided, and serious oral health issues are ignored. We know that this fear is real, and we want to do what we can to make your visit a comfortable experience no matter what the reason for the anxiety may be. Read on to discover how we help you overcome dentophobia so you can get the dental treatment you need.

Dentophobia is the term given to feelings of fear or anxiety about the dentist. Your fear could be from one thing or a combination of factors. It can be caused by past unpleasant experiences in the dental office or influenced by fears from a parent or loved one. It doesn’t have to be specific to the dentist, but typically it is a related fear — such as a general fear of pain or needles, a dislike for the sound of drills, or a strong gagging reflex. In most cases, phobias are not something that can just be “gotten over.” However, we do have tools that can help you have a more pleasant and more stress-free visit.

To help ease your fears and reduce or eliminate your anxiety, we offer oral sedation. Oral sedation is also called conscious sedation. You’ll be given a pill that contains a sedative before your appointment. We’ll give you instructions on when and how to take the medication so that by the time you arrive at our office, you’ll be significantly relaxed and calm — yet you’ll remain conscious and able to respond to questions and directions during your procedure. You may feel a little sleepy after the procedure, but it will wear off by the next day. You will need to have someone drive you to and from your appointment, however.

Being afraid doesn’t mean you or a loved one should put off visits to our office for checkups and needed dental procedures. We can work with you to find a way to get you the dental care you need without the anxiety and stress. If you have any questions about dentophobia or oral sedation, call our office today. We are here to make your dental experience as comfortable and worry-free as possible.

Best,
Dr. Sonny Afshar