Everyone knows someone with a fear of the dentist. If that person is you–you’re not alone. A study published by the National Institute of Health (NIH) estimates that around 36 percent of people suffer from dental anxiety. Researchers found that patient anxiety is often rooted in trauma or is learned from others. It may even be your personality to have dental anxiety. Whatever the cause, you deserve a dentist who is understanding of your fear.
If you have a trustworthy dentist, they will do everything in their power to accommodate you. For some, that may mean offering sedation. You don’t have to feel embarrassed about asking what’s available. Here are some tips to help you start the conversation.
Determine if Your Dentist Even Offers Sedation
Some dentists don’t offer sedation, or they may go through an outside contractor. If your dentist doesn’t offer it, you may have other options to explore. If you don’t have a dentist that you know and love, it wouldn’t hurt to research sedation dentists in El Paso who can meet your needs.
Ask About What Kinds of Sedation They Offer
So, your dentist offers sedation. That’s great! There are several different types of sedation, and each comes with unique benefits and disadvantages. For example, oral sedation:
- Is administered in pill form
- Takes up to an hour to come into effect
- Is great for moderate to severe anxiety
- Won’t completely wear off for around 8 hours
- Can make you sleepy
- Allows you to remain conscious and take commands
While oral sedation is more effective than more traditional methods (such as laughing gas) in controlling anxiety, it does require you to get a ride to and from your appointment. It may also negatively interact with existing anxiety medication.
Some Sedation Allows You to Remain Conscious
Many methods of sedation allow you to remain awake with significantly reduced anxiety levels. Even though you are conscious and able to take orders, you may not remember the appointment. If you don’t want to take the risk of waking up or remembering the appointment, conscious sedation may not be right for you.
Be sure to express your desired outcome to your dentist, so they can choose the right kind of sedation for your needs.
Ask About Prices Before You Agree to Sedation
While it may be more than worth the price to forget your appointment ever happened, the cost of sedation may be a stumbling block for some. Services like sedation often come with an added price, so bring this up with your dentist before agreeing to anything. It definitely won’t help your dental anxiety to be hit with a surprise bill.
Practice Phrases for Anxious Patients
If you’re really struggling to initiate the conversation, feel free to take some of these ideas to introduce the topic with your El Paso sedation dentist:
- “I tend to get so anxious before a dental appointment that I cancel at the last minute, do you think sedation would help me feel more at ease?”
- “I’m wondering if sedation dentistry will help me be more consistent with my check-ups and oral health. Can you tell me more about what you offer?”
- “I’ve heard that sedation can make me feel less anxious about coming to the dentist. Could I have some information about what’s available?”
For a Dentist with Sedation in El Paso, Call 915 Smile Studio
If you’re looking for a sedation dentist in El Paso, TX, look no further than 915 Smile Studio. We want to redefine what it’s like to go to the dentist so that each generation looks forward to their visits. We understand that other dentists may have contributed to your fears, so we hope to counteract that with patient, compassionate care. To learn more about how we’re different from other dentists or to schedule your appointment, call 915-881-3860. You can also fill out our contact form to get started
