Signs & Symptoms of Dental Anxiety

It’s estimated that as much as one-third of the adult population suffers from dental anxiety, so you’re not alone if you’ve been putting off your twice-yearly cleanings and exams due to dental anxiety or dental phobia. You may benefit from sedation dentistry at Perry Family Dentistry if you show any of these signs and symptoms of dental anxiety/dental phobia:

  • Sweating
  • Racing heartbeat or heart palpitations
  • Low blood pressure
  • Fainting
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Upset stomach/nausea
  • Visible distress, crying, or signs of panic
  • Increased gag reflex
  • Sweating
  • Racing heartbeat or heart palpitations
  • Low blood pressure
  • Fainting
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Upset stomach/nausea
  • Visible distress, crying, or signs of panic
  • Increased gag reflex

There is nothing to be embarrassed about if you feel any of the above as you think about going to a dentist’s office. You are not alone; we will do everything possible to ensure your visit is efficient and comfortable.

What Causes Dental Anxiety?

Some of our patients do not know why they are so anxious about going to a dentist because they have never had a bad experience at a dentist’s office; however, other patients have particularly bad memories that have made them fearful of the dentist. Some patients have had:

  • A traumatic dental or medical experience
  • Trauma to the head
  • Abuse
  • PTSD or Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
  • Fear of loss of control
  • Trust issues
  • A traumatic dental or medical experience
  • Trauma to the head
  • Abuse
  • PTSD or Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
  • Fear of loss of control
  • Trust issues

Regardless of what is causing your anxiety, we will help you get through your appointments and leave knowing you will likely have no memory of the dental work done to your mouth.

Types of Sedation Dentistry at Perry Family Dentistry

Sedation dentistry involves using medications to help patients relax while receiving dental treatment. Patients who receive sedation dentistry report feeling little to no pain during their procedure and often have no memory of what happened during the procedure. This can be a great relief for those who experience anxiety or fear when it comes to visiting the dentist. Having no memory of the sound dental technology, especially the dental drill, is very good for patients who shudder at the thought of having their teeth drilled.

Nitrous Oxide, known as “laughing gas,” helps patients relax while Dr. Perry and his team work on your mouth. Laughing gas is the mildest form of sedation dentistry and will put you at ease quickly. When laughing gas is administered, you will feel dreamlike, remaining relaxed until your dental work is finished. You will need someone to drive you home following your dental appointment, as the nitrous oxide will not have worn off by the time we finish our treatment.

Oral conscious sedation involves prescribing medication to our patients to help them get through their dental procedures. You may have such severe anxiety that you need anti-anxiety medication before your appointment, and that’s OK. If you’re a good candidate for anti-anxiety medication, you will be prescribed medication prior to your appointment. Due to the side effects of the medication, you will need someone to drive you to and from your dental appointment.

Learn More About Sedation Dentistry

Please call sedation dentist Dr. Blake J. Perry at Perry Family Dentistry today (360) 424-3133 to schedule your next dental cleaning and exam. If you’re showing signs of gum disease, please let the front desk team know when you call. You may also fill out our online contact form, and one of our staff will contact you to answer questions or assist with scheduling.