Millions and millions of American adults don’t get the routine dental care they need to stay healthy.
It’s not because of affordability.
It’s not because of accessibility.
And it’s not because they don’t care.
It’s fear. Good ol’ fashioned fear of the dentist keeps millions of people like you away from the dentist office and at the top of the risk factor list for gum disease, tooth loss, and other health issues.
Today, our team at George A. Hoop, DDS wants to tell you how to curb dental anxiety in your own life and get your mouth healthy again with help from dental sedation in our Fort Myers, FL practice.
When Dental Fear Got The Best Of You
The best start on your road back to better oral health and a beautiful smile is to try to come to terms with your dental fears.
One way to do that is by considering where it began so you can begin to step over that hurdle and regain control of your dental health moving forward.
Here are some common possibilities that may have put your fear in control of your oral health:
*What Your Own Experience Tells You*
Perhaps the most powerful of all causes of dental fear is your own experience. No amount of talking down or attempts to ease your mind can withstand what you know to be true from your own life.
So if you’ve had terrible experiences at the dentist office, even going all the way back to your childhood, it can be especially challenging to overcome your current anxiety about dental treatment.
*What Your Body Does Under Stress*
Even when you’re doing pretty well to keep your mind in a somewhat calm, rational state, stress can still manifest itself physically and leave you unable to control your body during a dental appointment.
You might have a hard time sitting still in the dental chair, or maybe you have a sensitive gag reflex that only becomes worse when your body tenses up.
*What Time Has Done To You*
The longer you stay away from the dentist office, the more mysterious and scary dentistry as a whole will become in your mind. If you’re not current on the latest technology that’s made dental treatment more comfortable and painless, you’re going to remain stuck with past hurts and outdated methods that may have ignited your dental fear in the first place.
*What Other People Tell You*
When someone tells you about a terrible experience at a place of business, you take it to heart, right? It’s why online reviews are often so helpful when you’re trying to decide where to eat or where to go when you need your car worked on.
So it’s natural to avoid the dentist office when all you hear from other people are horror stories about their own dental treatments!
Curb Your Anxiety With Dental Sedation
One of the ways anxiety is intensified, especially at the dentist office, is that you’re often rushed through your appointments. It heightens the awareness that you’re not the one in control, that your feelings and concerns aren’t important, and that you’re more like a number than an actual person.
That’s why our Fort Myers, FL dental practice is one where you’re treated like part of a family by a compassionate team of people who listen to your concerns and care about your feelings and needs.
Beyond that, we also know that regardless of how warm and caring the staff is, your body will still react to the underlying anxieties you have about being in a dentist office. This is why we offer dental sedation to help your body relax while you receive high quality treatment to keep your mouth healthy.
Dr. Hoop can help you choose the right method of sedation that’s best!
*Inhaled Sedation For Mild Anxiety*
The mildest, and most common, form of dental sedation is laughing gas where you inhale a gas that has an immediate calming effect on your body. It also wears off quickly, as well, so you wouldn’t have to make arrangements to have someone drive for you that day.
*Oral Sedation For Moderate Anxiety*
Before your appointment, we can prescribe oral medication for you to take early enough to feel completely calm and relaxed in time for your procedure.
You’ll be awake during treatment, but you won’t care at all that it’s happening! Because the sedative will take effect before you arrive and wear off a bit after you leave, this type of sedation would require you to have someone drive you to and from your appointment.
Make An Appointment
There is always a way back to the dentist when you’re surrounded by a supportive, caring team and have the right tools to make you feel more comfortable.
That’s what you’ll find with us at George A. Hoop, DDS in Fort Myers, FL.
We know how hard it is to be ruled by dental fear, which is why we go above and beyond to cater to your comfort and relaxation needs.
Together, we can get you back on the road to a lifetime of good oral health.
Call us today at (239) 594-8817 or fill out our online form to request an appointment or to learn more about how we can help you.
