I'm Terrified of the Dentist: Is Sedation Dentistry a Good Option for Me?

If you get nervous when you think about going to the dentist, you’re not alone. According to a survey taken by 18,000 people globally, 61% of respondents struggle with dental anxiety, and almost 4% of them have a phobia so intense they’ve never been to a dentist.

When your nerves prevent you from getting needed treatment, though, you risk your oral health.

At Fluegge Family Dentistry, Dr. Matthew Fluegge and our team understand that many people, for various reasons, fear going to the dentist’s office. That’s why we offer sedation dentistry, a way of calming your nerves so you can schedule your visit without fear. Is sedation a good option for you? Here’s what the dentist has to say.

What causes dental anxiety?

The sources of dental anxiety vary from one person to another and generally fall within the following broad categories:

The sound of the dentist’s drill

One of the most common dental anxieties is that patients associate the sound of the drill with the pain they’re sure will follow. The fear may come from a bad dental experience or hearing other people’s “horror stories” about dental visits.

This fear is unfounded for two reasons. First, if you’re having a procedure with pain attached, Dr. Fluegge — and any other dentist — starts by giving you an appropriate amount of a local anesthetic to ensure you remain comfortable throughout the procedure.

Second, dental science and technology have made significant advances in the past few decades, meaning you’ll feel much less or even no pain during some treatments. An example is the development of laser dentistry procedures, which treat everything from filling cavities to performing gum surgery, all with less pain than a standard drill.

A fear of injections

Needles terrify many people, especially when aimed at your notoriously sensitive mouth. Just getting the anesthesia to help you through the appointment may be beyond your comfort zone. Keeping your breathing slow and regular can help you get through the initial prick; after that, the area will become numb, and you won’t feel a thing.

A feeling of helplessness

Feeling a bit helpless when you’re in the dentist’s chair is normal, but there are ways you can own the situation.

One option is to ask your dentist to talk you through what’s happening. The step-by-step explanation removes the fear of not knowing what’s happening, engages your mind, and helps the time pass more quickly. You can also arrange a hand signal that lets the dentist know when you need a break.

Another option is to bring headphones to listen to music or a podcast while the dentist works — it’s a wonderful distraction. Some dentists even provide headphones or have a TV screen you can watch while they work. 

Sedation dentistry

If you struggle with dental anxiety, the key to coping is to let Dr. Fluegge know you have anxiety before your appointment. We have several ways to make you more comfortable, including sedation.

Sedation dentistry is becoming a subspecialty; it involves using a drug to help patients with dental anxiety remain calm and comfortable during their visit.

One option is an oral sedative like Valium®. You take it about an hour before your appointment and remain conscious the whole time, but you’re not as jumpy as usual.

Another option is nitrous oxide, also called “laughing gas.” While you remain awake and aware of what’s going on, you feel kind of “distanced” from it, thereby relieving your anxiety.

To perform IV sedation, we deliver the sedative through an IV in your arm. The medication puts you in a “twilight sleep.” You’re not consciously aware of what’s going on, but you can still respond to questions and follow basic commands.

The sedatives leave your system quickly, but you’ll be groggy for a while, and you might not remember much about what happened. 

If you struggle with dental anxiety but need to make a dental appointment, ask about which sedation options are available (and how much they cost) when you schedule. The Fluegge Family Dentistry team will do our best to quell your fears.

Call our office at 509-888-3384 to schedule, or book online today.