The unfortunate truth is that dental anxiety and phobia can sideline many patients: keeping them from getting the preventive, restorative, and aesthetic care they need. That is why our Glendale sedation dentists work so hard to provide our patients with stress-reducing options that fit their lives. Keep reading to learn more…
Signs of Anxiety
Our team encourages patients to stay alert for signs of dentistry-related anxiety; the more you are able to share about your experience, the better our team can help you reach your dental goals. With that in mind, talk to your team if you find yourself…
- Regularly canceling or rescheduling appointments because you’re stressed
- Trying to “tough it out” when you do experience an oral health problem
- Struggling to make it into the dentist’s office for your appointment
- Experiencing stress dreams or sleep disturbances prior to your appointment
- Feeling lightheaded, flushed, sweaty, or panicky
Listen, none of this is fun to live with, but the important thing to remember is that it can be managed and overcome. The sooner you reach out for support, the better for your smile!
Oral Conscious Sedation
One way to manage anxiety and to get the treatment you need is to use oral conscious sedation. By taking a small pill prior to your appointment, you’ll be able to breeze through the treatment process without stress and anxiety. As the name suggests, you will remain conscious the entire time, but, due to the medication’s amnesic effects, you probably won’t remember much of the treatment process once we’re done.
Open Communication
No matter how many advancements there are in the world of sedation dentistry, developing and maintain a strong patient-dentist relationship is still paramount to managing dental anxiety. This is why we encourage our patients to talk about any concerns they may have, and to share about past experiences that may affect how they feel about dental care. Please feel free to ask questions—we’re here to help!
Even if it has been years since you have seen a dentist, our Glendale dentists encourage you to reach out to our team for help and support. We have the tools you need to get effective, comfortable care!