Scared of the Dentist? You’re Not Alone

When people describe their dental fears, many will use the words, “anxiety” and “phobia” interchangeably. While the words have similarities, they actually have two distinct definitions. If you suffer from dental fears or anxiety, you simply need a dental care team that is patient enough to carefully communicate what you should expect to occur during your appointment. Anxiety is often a fear of the unknown and can easily be pacified when you have a full understanding of the situation.

Phobias can be a bit more complex to address and are often a more cataclysmic experience. Individuals suffering from dental phobia may feel their safety is being threatened and react defensively. The reaction to simple objects such as a dental drill or a doctor in a white coat can seem irrational to observers, but to the individual experiencing the phobia, it is a very real, very intense situation. Overcoming a dental phobia, or any phobia for that matter, generally requires professional assistance and great effort on the part of the afflicted individual. 

A New Dental Experience: Dental Spas

You know the phrase, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” When it comes to treatments, very few people fear a trip to the spa, so many in the dental industry have instituted new procedures and technologies, as well as redesigned their offices to resemble a spa. The dental care teams at these types of practices, known as “dental spas,” are more sensitive to the needs of individuals suffering from dental fears. The dental industry has taken this stance in an effort to aid the millions of Americans suffering from dental fears or phobia.

Treatment options are often more luxurious in nature, including reflexology, massage, and refreshments throughout the treatment experience. Other dental spa services may include sedation dentistry in which the patient is sedated with sedatives or pain relievers while the dentist goes to work. In extreme cases, some dentists may use general anesthesia, in which case, the patient is completely unaware the experience even occurred. These offerings put patients at ease and ensure that their oral hygiene is cared for on a routine basis.

To get the dental care you deserve from an affordable dentist in Owings Mills, call Valley Dental Associates today at (443) 898-1240 or make an appointment.