Say Good-Bye To Dental Anxiety Keep Your Dentist Appointment – and Your Healthy Smile

By Alice Charland Bassford, DMD, MAGD

ASE Dental

. http://www.silverspringdmd.com/

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Say Good-Bye To Dental Anxiety Keep Your Dentist Appointment – and Your Healthy Smile

It’s probably safe to assume that few people jump for joy at the thought of visiting the dentist. Did you know that up to 40 million people experience debilitating fear and anxiety at the thought of seeing a dentist? Dental phobia can even prevent people from getting the treatment they need to keep their teeth and gums healthy. Fortunately, today’s dentist offer many options to help you overcome your dental anxiety, so you can keep your smile health.

Silver Diamine Fluoride

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a liquid substance used to help prevent tooth cavities from forming, growing, or spreading to other teeth.

SDF is often suggested as a more comfortable alternative to drilling cavities. This can be helpful for children or adults who have anxiety about the dentist or may not be able to fully engage in dental procedures, such as those with special healthcare needs.

SDF can also be helpful as a cavity treatment if you’re overly sensitive to the instruments and substances used during cavity treatments. SDF can even help keep cavities to a minimum or prevent them entirely if you feel that it’s difficult to make time for regular dental check-ups or feel uncomfortable about cavity procedures.

It’s quick and many times can be done at your cleaning appointment.

Alpha-Stim Device for Dental Anxiety

There are many aspects of a dental visit that can bring on feelings of panic – the anticipation of discomfort; fear of the unknown; worry about needing painful procedures; or any number of other factors.

But there is no need to let your anxiety prevent you from having a sparklingly clean smile. Alpha-Stim is a handheld, non-invasive medical device that provides immediate relief from anxiety without medication. There is no risk of addiction with Alpha-Stim, and there are no lasting side effects. Relief from anxiety is attainable in just 20-40 minutes of treatment.

Alpha-Stim fits in the palm of your hand, and its ear clips are as small as earbuds, allowing you to easily treat your anxiety while in the dentist’s chair without interference.

Weighted Blankets

Another tool today’s dentists use to help you feel more at ease are weighted blankets.

Weighted blankets apply deep touch pressure. This is a proven technique to help alleviate anxiety and fear associated with dental treatments.

The “hugging” effect is a type of sensory calming called proprioceptive input, which is pressure on the muscles and joints. Proprioceptive input sends signals to the brain that cause serotonin to be released, which is the neurotransmitter in the brain that makes people feel happy. An increase in serotonin causes natural melatonin to be released in the brain giving even more of a feeling of calm.

A more comfortable way to induce the “hugging” effect is by using a soft and pliable weighted blanket. Dentists use weighted blankets on patients to soothe the anxiety from dental procedures.

So, don’t let fear or anxiety stop you from keeping your teeth as healthy and beautiful as they should be. Contact your dentist today to find out what options they offer to relieve dental anxiety.