It is normal that when you are in the dental office and you see your dentist with a needle in his hand, you feel some phobia or fear; but it is not normal to have an excessive and irrational fear of visiting your dentist, this fear is more common than it seems and is called odontophobia. There are even people who have been suffering from periodontal disease for years and prefer to suffer the consequences in silence for fear of going to the dentist.
The mouth It is a very sensitive and intimate part of our body and it is normal to feel anxiety during a visit to the dentist, but when someone has a phobia they cannot even hear the dentist mentioned and it is a serious situation that affects your quality of life.
What are the symptoms?
A phobia is considered a phobia after 6 months. How many months or years have you gone since you last visited your dentist? Symptoms of someone with odontophobia can include:
- Fear of surgeries
- To tooth extraction
- To the placement of anesthesia
- Expresses that he is afraid of pain
- He completely avoids going to a dental appointment.
What solutions are there?
There are treatments to overcome odontophobia, we recommend doing some relaxation and breathing exercises to relieve tension, Choose a dentist who can provide confidence and security To the patient; at our dental center, for example, we take care to explain each step of their treatment. We clearly explain the procedures so they feel confident and are fully aware of everything we will perform. It's important to clarify that in extreme cases, consultation with a psychologist or psychiatrist is necessary, as they are responsible for treating these types of pathologies.
On the other hand, the best option for this type of patients with high anxiety is the Nitrous oxide, an excellent conscious sedation technique.
What is nitrous oxide and what are its benefits?
It is a non-toxic, anesthetic gas that produces a pleasant and relaxing feeling; It's also known as laughing gas because it provides a feeling of satisfaction. This gas combines with oxygen and is ideal for anxious people who suffer from panic attacks, tremors, or tachycardia.
It is not injected, It is inhaled through a small mask; does not affect health and the patient is aware all the time. It doesn't prevent you from being anesthetized, but sedation will help lower your anxiety levels and make your most enjoyable experience.
The effects of the Nitrous oxide They disappear some time after the treatment ends and the patient is able to leave their appointment on their own.
At Carlos Acevedo Dentistry, we have this team that will make your experience at the dentist much more pleasant and enjoyable. Schedule your appointment. What treatment are you interested in? Smile Design, Dental Implants or Orthodontics.
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