Overcoming Fear of the Dentist: Free Yourself from Anxiety and Restore Your Health

According to the National Institutes for Health (NIH), an estimated 36% of people experience dental anxiety and 12% suffer from a more extreme fear known as dentophobia. Fearing the dentist, however, does more than cause people to experience fear, stress, and anxiety when they go to the dentist; it often prevents them from seeking dental care. As a result, people who fear the dentist tend not to get the preventative care they need to keep their teeth and gums healthy, and this avoidance results in the development of more severe oral health problems.  

This unfortunate but all-too-common story is how one patient, Brian, discovered sedation dentistry at Bonita Beach Dental.  

Patient Stories: How One Patient Overcame Their Fear and Embraced the Journey to a Healthy Smile

"Growing up, I think we probably had the worst dentist in Philadelphia . . . Ever since then, I had a fear of going to the dentist."

As a child, our patient, Brian, had a series of negative experiences at the dentist's office. This led to him developing a serious fear of the dentist and dental anxiety that resulted in him only visiting the dentist a few times as an adult. As a result, he developed significant oral health problems which led to him losing several teeth, experiencing pain, and damaging his confidence.  

A friend recommended Dr. Grady Scott at Bonita Beach Dental, and after reading countless positive reviews, Brian decided to schedule an appointment, promising that he would leave his appointment if he felt any pain. Dr. Scott reassured him that we could use sedation dentistry to alleviate his fear and stress and administer anesthetics to ensure he would feel no pain during treatment.  

Brian decided to go forward with his personalized smile restoration plan. After a single appointment, he left our office with a completely restored smile and the freedom to show it off confidently.  

See the full story of how Brian's fear of the dentist led to his teeth falling out during a steak dinner with his brother and him eventually discovering the ability to relax in the dental chair with sedation dentistry.

What Causes Fear of the Dentist and Dental Anxiety?

Dental anxiety and fear of the dentist can present in people for countless reasons. Some of the most common causes of dental anxiety and dentophobia include:

• Negative, frightening, or painful past dental care experiences

• Negative experiences in a healthcare setting

• Fear of loss of control

• Fear of not being able to communicate

• Fear of pain

• Sensory processing challenges

• Extreme tooth sensitivity

• Sensitive gag reflex

How We Help Patients With Dental Anxiety Get the Care They Need, Without the Stress

No matter the underlying cause of dental anxiety, sedation dentistry can help patients relax before, during, and after their appointments.  Sedation dentistry options include:

• Light sedation with nitrous oxide (laughing gas)

• Moderate oral conscious sedation with prescription sedatives

• Deep or complete intravenous sedation

Depending on your needs, medical history, and upcoming treatment plan, we can recommend a type of sedation dentistry that will successfully meet your needs, resulting in a more pleasant dental care experience.  

‍Could Sedation Dentistry Help You? Learn More About Comfort Dentistry at Bonita Beach Dental

For Brian, his new smile means "freedom again." For you, a revitalized smile and renewed oral health could mean comfort, confidence, and the ability to enjoy a higher quality of life. If Brian's story sounds like your experience with dental care, know that you are not alone and understand that there are several solutions available to help you achieve and maintain optimal oral health.

With comprehensive restorative and cosmetic dental services, we have the treatments available to design a personalized treatment plan that will address your existing oral health issues while helping you achieve your oral health goals, and our full menu of sedation dentistry services means that you can achieve these goals without experiencing fear, stress, or anxiety.

To learn more about how sedation dentistry can empower you to restore the form and function of your smile with a personalized dental treatment plan, we welcome you to contact Bonita Beach Dental today.