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IV Sedation Dentistry for Dental Phobia

If you are one of the millions of people in the United States that suffer from some form of dental phobia, you are not alone. According to the American Dental Association, about 40 million Americans neglect dental appointments because of fear, and although most dental procedures are not painful, for some, just being examined can cause extreme anxiety.

Most people can deal with some stress when it comes to the dentist; however, some find the thought terrifying. In fact, some people are so scared that they will do nearly anything to avoid the dentist including putting up with broken teeth, pain, cavities and gum infections.

Dental anxiety and dental phobias are different as dental anxiety makes people a bit uneasy before their dental appointment while dental phobias are much more serious. The intense dread or fear caused by going to the dentist can actually put people in panic mode.

People with dental phobias are more likely to suffer from gingivitis or the more serious periodontal disease. Dental phobias can also cause early tooth loss. Avoiding your regular dental checkups can also make you self conscious and depressed. People who have damaged or discolored teeth are less likely to smile, or smile with a closed mouth.

Because medical and dental professionals believe that there is a connection between oral health and disease, people with dental phobias may have a lower life expectancy as gum disease has been linked to lung infections and heart disease.

There are varying degrees when it comes to dental phobia. At the extreme level, people with dental phobias may never schedule a dental appointment while others force themselves to go. It is not uncommon for some to feel or actually get sick while waiting to see the dentist.

Some of the causes of dental phobia include pain, a past unpleasant experience with the dentist, a loss of control, feelings of helplessness, embarrassment, or horror stories from family members about the dentist.

You may have a dental phobia if you have trouble sleeping before your dental appointment, if you feel tense or nervous in the waiting room or if you feel like crying when you think about seeing a dentist. If the mere sight of dental instruments increases your stress and anxiety, you could have a dental phobia. You may also have a dental phobia if you feel physically ill go into a panic mode or have trouble breathing when the dentist starts to work on your mouth.

If you suffer from a dental phobia, you may need to talk to your dentist about IV Sedation Dentistry. Not all dentists are trained to provide you with IV Sedation Dentistry, but Ericson Dental is.

Ericson Dental is one of a handful of dentists who can help you combat your phobia with IV Sedation Dentistry. Not only does IV Sedation Dentistry save you time, as many procedures can be done at the same time, but it can also save you money. With IV Sedation Dentistry, even the most complex dental procedures will seem like minutes. Call and schedule your appointment for IV Sedation Dentistry with Ericson Dental today.

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