Dental Phobias

Visiting a dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings is very important. In fact, studies suggest that oral heath is directly linked to overall health, and prevention and early detection of oral diseases requires both at home and in office care.

Unfortunately, many people avoid the dentist due to phobias caused by previous unpleasant experiences, or the expectation of pain and discomfort. At Colonial Dental Groupwe understand these fears and work to ensure that our patients are comfortable and safe, and enjoy dental visits free of anxiety and fear.

Common Dental Phobias

Phobias range widely from person to person, but the most common dental phobias can be broken down into two categories:

• Fear –Painful experiences with dentists in the past, fear of needles, the threat of gagging or choking, even sensitivity to the sounds of dental tools can play a role in causing fear
• Anxiety –A distrust of medical professionals, feeling panicked in the dentist chair, and the anticipation of pain can all lead a person to feel anxious and nervous when visiting a dentist

Of course, each person is unique, and no general overview can include all potential dental phobias. What is important is to realize that for each phobia, there is also a solution.

Solutions Dental Phobia

At Colonial Dental Group, we are devoted to the comfort and safety of our patients. For those who suffer from dental phobias, we offer sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry comes in three forms to match the needs and desires of each individual patient. These are:

• Oral sedation – A pill that is administered when you arrive for your appointment
• Nitrous oxide – Also known as “laughing gas” and given continuously through a mask during your appointment
• Intravenous sedation – Administered through an IV, providing the deepest form of sedation

Discussing your hesitation about dentistry upfront with your dentist will allow them to work with you to create the level of sedation you need in order to be comfortable receiving the oral care you deserve. This is also dependant on your medical history and age.

If you live in the Chicago, Illinois area, and dental phobia has kept you from receiving the general dentistry you need, or the cosmetic procedures you desire, please contact the experienced dentists at Colonial Dental Grouptoday to schedule a consultation.