A negative experience with a dentist can follow you from childhood into adulthood and place the health and beauty of your smile in jeopardy. Dr. Reese and Dr. Smith at Mountain View Dental in Acworth, GA are the dentists you’ve been waiting for to help you overcome your fear. Our dental office specializes in:
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Family dentistry
- Full-mouth reconstruction
- Clear braces
Through our care, comfort menu, and sedation options we can finally make it possible for you to get the dental treatment you need for a healthy smile. To schedule your consultation, call us today at (770) 429-8989.
What Is Dental Anxiety?
Does your stomach go queasy at the thought of going to the dentist? Do you avoid the dentist until the pain is unbearable? Have you had a bad dream about the dentist? Do your hands get sweaty while you wait for your name to be called at your appointment?
You might be suffering from dental anxiety.
Dental anxiety is a fear of the dentist so strong that you might have gone years without dental care. Unfortunately, missing out on preventive treatment can actually make your need to see a dentist even greater and call for more invasive treatment.
Many ultra modern dentist offices like Mountain View Dental use advances in dentistry to make you as comfortable as possible during your visit.
Sedation Options
If you suffer from dental anxiety, sedation can lull you into a state of relaxation during your visit and make you less anxious about your next dental visit. At Mountain view Dental you have a couple of different sedation options. A discussion with a member of our dental team can help determine which type is right for you.
Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is inhaled through a mask placed your nose. As you breathe in you will feel yourself become joyous. Nitrous oxide is even safe enough for children. You’ll continue to breathe in the gas through the duration of your treatment, and it will wear off shortly after your procedure. So, you’ll be able to carry on with the rest of your day whether that be back to work or off to pick the children up from school.
For longer procedures or the extremely phobic, oral sedation might be the solution. Your dentist will prescribe you a pill that you will take before your appointment. By the time you arrive at our Acworth, GA dental office, you’ll have entered a sedated state. You will be conscious, but your experience and your memories afterward will be hazier. Following treatment, you will need to arrange for a ride home.
Comfort Menu
We have an array of options to make you feel more at-ease at our dental office. You can think of us as a dental office that makes excellent hospitality as much a priority as the care of your smile. We offer:
- Private treatment rooms
- Longer appointment times
- Soft pillows
- Warm blankets
- Music
Just let us know when you schedule your appointment what we can do to make you more comfortable.
You’ll also feel more comfortable at our office when you experience how caring our staff can be. Feel free to ask all the questions you need and express any concerns you may have. Dr. Reese and Dr. Smith are both compassionate family men who are dedicated to dentistry that makes their patients feel supported and understood.
At-Home Techniques
While we do all we can to make you look forward to a visit to our office, there are some steps you can take at home to feel more in control of your dental fate.
- Focus on your breathing. Inhaling and exhaling slowly can often help alleviate stress.
- Ask someone you’re close to join you at your appointment for support.
- Avoid movies or books that will make your fear more intense.
You could also consider discussing your fear with a therapist. While your fear of the dentist can stem from a negative dental experience, it can also be due to other traumatic episodes of your life. Often, a fear of the dentist is actually about patients feeling like they aren’t in control. Talking things through with a therapist can help you pinpoint the source of your unease.
The Consequences Of Dental Anxiety
About 7% of Americans suffer from a fear of the dentist. This fear can lead you to neglect your dental health. There are very real consequences to this neglect including increased risk for:
- Severe gum disease
- Tooth decay
- Tooth loss
- Chronic bad breath
Poor oral health has even been linked to other more systemic health issues like heart disease.
Don’t let your smile suffer because of fear. See a dentist you can trust. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Reese or Dr. Smith call Mountain View Dental at (770) 429-8989.