February 12, 2022

How to Get Rid of Dental Fear

Palms that are sweaty. Heart rate has increased. The desire to get away. When it’s time for a dental checkup, an estimated 15% of people experience some amount of dental anxiety. Anxiety can be caused by a variety of circumstances, but regardless of the source, it prevents patients from receiving the dental care they require. If your child is a member of the dental phobia club, we can give some advice to make your next visit to Stevensons Dental Ark and The Dental Ark a bit less stressful.

Let’s look at a few of the most common causes of dental phobia:

Feeling Helpless or Out of Control

For some dental patients, being confined to a chair and unable to speak or move can feel very confining. If your child feels this way during your visit, let the hygienist know ahead of time so they may make arrangements for your child to get up, take a break, and walk about throughout the exam.

Pain Treatment

Most dental offices provide a number of pain management solutions. Anesthesia is used for any dental operations that require a lot of time. If your child is afraid of needles, laughing gas can help them relax before the pain medication is given. For people with more severe dental anxiety and dread of pain, sedation dentistry is commonly used.

Bad Past Experiences

Regrettably, there is little you can do to change the past. Your child may have had a bad dental experience that has led to their current fear, whether it was a cleaning that was too harsh or a Las Vegas dentist who didn’t understand your child’s requirements. The good news is that if you try a new pediatric dentist, you might have a wonderful experience that will help erase the memory and make them less nervous about receiving dental care in the future.

Whatever is causing your child’s dental phobia, know that there are solutions. We’d be delighted to assist you and your family in having a great dental experience. Whether your child needs a more involved surgery such as a root canal or emergency dental care, or just a routine cleaning and exam, we want to give you a reason to look forward to going to the dentist. Give us a call right now!