Suffering from dental anxiety?

Dealing with dental anxiety can make it extremely difficult to get the dental care you need. The irony is that the longer you put off your dental care, the worse your oral health can get, which means you may go from needing a simple treatment to requiring a more complex solution. This can make dental anxiety a vicious cycle that is not easy to break.

But if you suffer from dental anxiety, you should know that your fears are far from uncommon. A 2009 adult dental health survey found that more than 1 in 3 Americans has some kind of fear of the dentist, and more than 1 in 10 categorized their dental fear as extreme.

Because dental anxiety is so common, Dr. Steven A. Lang and the Great Miami Dental team in Middletown, Ohio, take great care to provide a welcoming and reassuring environment to all our patients so that they can receive the treatment they need comfortably.

For more information on how dentists can help you feel more at ease during treatment, what steps you can take to conquer your dental fears, and the importance of dental care, check out this comprehensive guide to beating dental anxiety.

Why You Shouldn’t Avoid the Dentist

Any dentist will tell you that certain people have an incredible ability to avoid dental care until things become too dire to ignore. But by ignoring dental care, you can quickly go from needing a filling to requiring a root canal or extraction.

It’s understandable that your dental anxiety may be holding you back, but if you wait until you simply can’t avoid the problem any longer, it could be a much bigger issue than it was when your trouble started. Below are some examples of the sort of problems you could face due to avoiding dental care.

Periodontitis

The CDC estimates that nearly half of all American adults over the age of 30 have some form of periodontitis, or gum disease. That number skyrockets the older we get. Gum disease can result in a variety of issues with your oral and overall health. Early treatment is simple and can remove the gum infection, but once it has advanced enough, it can only be treated, not cured.

Infection

Damaged or decayed teeth can cause plenty of sensitivity, but perhaps none so bad that you can’t ignore them if you’ve got dental anxiety. However, those teeth can become infected, and when that happens, more complex treatment may be unavoidable. Your options are then limited mostly to a root canal or extraction, which are both less pleasant than early treatments would have been.

Tooth Loss

Missing teeth can make speaking difficult and chewing painful. They can also lead to bone loss in your jaw, shifting of your remaining teeth, and altered facial structure.

The harm that this can do to your oral health and self-confidence is not worth it if you can avoid it, which is why conquering your dental anxiety is so important.

How Your Dentist Can Help You Overcome Dental Anxiety

You’ve seen the statistics regarding dental anxiety in America, so you know that your dentist has to have a wealth of experience in helping people overcome their fears in order to receive treatment. In fact, it’s part of their training. That’s why you should keep in mind that your greatest ally in conquering your dental fears is actually your dentist.

Remember, your dentist is there to help you. Speak with them about your fears so that they can aid you in talking through them.

Great Miami Dental Associates in Middletown, Ohio, is a no-judgment zone, which means we won’t be giving you any lectures. We’ll only let you know that your health is a priority to us and work to provide you with the type of compassionate care you need to feel at ease during your appointment.

Tips for Overcoming Your Dental Anxiety

You can conquer your fear of the dentist and get the treatment you need if you set your mind to it. Sometimes it helps to have some tips for overcoming dental anxiety at the ready for your next visit, so check out the following list before you go:

• Don’t settle—find the perfect dentist for you.
• Ask plenty of questions.
• Address your anxiety up front.
• Practice relaxation techniques.
• Ask about sedation dentistry.

If you’re in need of dental care but your fear of treatment is holding you back, you may want to schedule an appointment to sit down with your dentist and address your concerns before beginning any treatment. Chances are you’ll leave feeling a lot more at ease. Looking for a dental home or a second opinion? You can request an evaluation online today using our easy contact form.