Dental Anxiety or Dental Phobia? You’re Not Alone

If you fear going to the dentist, you’re not alone. Between 9% and 20% of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear.

Dental phobia is a more serious condition than anxiety. It leaves people panic-stricken and terrified. People with dental phobia know their fear is irrational, but have a hard time controlling it. Many people avoid the dentist altogether, only to show up when forced to by extreme pain.

Does this sound like you? If so - we understand and sympathize. We also invite you to try the Raleigh dental practice of Jeff M. Morrison & Associates DDS. Our friendly and compassionate staff will help you overcome your dental fear and get you on the road to better oral health.

What Causes Dental Phobia and Anxiety?

There are many reasons why some people have dental phobia and anxiety. Here are just a few:

• Fear of pain. This usually stems from an early dental experience that was unpleasant or painful, or from dental "horror" stories told by others.
• Fear of injections or fear the injection won't work. Many people are terrified of needles, especially when inserted into their mouth. Others are afraid the dentist will begin the procedure before the anesthesia has taken effect, or that it will be painful despite the anesthesia.
• Anesthetic side effects. Sometimes the anesthetic can make you feel dizzy, nauseous, or even faint, which can cause fear in some people. Others fear the sensation of numbness in their mouth or tongue associated with local anesthetics.
• Loss of control. When you are sitting in a dental chair with your mouth wide open, unable to see what's going on or tell the dentist what you feel - its easy to feel out of control.
• Embarrassment and loss of personal space. The physical closeness of the dentist or hygienist to their face can be upsetting to some people. People who have avoided dental care may feel embarrassment about the appearance of their teeth.

Overcome Your Dental Fear 

We understand your fear and anxiety, and want to work with you. Here are a few suggestions:

• Tell us ahead of time. Tell the scheduling coordinator when you book your appointment in case they want to build in a little extra time, then staff about your anxiety when you arrive. Share any bad dental experiences you may have had, so we can understand and address your fears.
• Ask questions. Knowing what's going to happen may alleviates your fear of the unknown. We can explain every stage of the procedure so you're prepared for what's to come.
• Agree on a signal. Let us know, with an agreed upon hand signal, whenever you’re uncomfortable, need to swallow, rinse or just catch your breath. Knowing you can take short breaks may help with your fear.
• Speak up! If you experience pain or sensitivity during the procedure, even with an anesthetic, tell us. Some patients feel embarrassed about their pain tolerance or don’t want to interrupt a procedure. We understand that people experience pain differently, and pain tolerance may be lower for highly anxious patients – so tell us if you’re uncomfortable.
• Don't avoid dental care. If you suspect you have a problem, you need to come in. It is unlikely to get better on its own - most likely it will worsen, leading to more extensive care. 

Don’t let dental anxiety or phobia prevent you from getting the care you need. We promise to take the time to make you feel comfortable, calm and informed throughout your dental procedure.

Let us help you achieve the goal of great oral health. Call our friendly staff today to schedule an appointment (919) 755-450. If you have a friend or family member in Raleigh who are anxious or afraid to go to the dentist, please share this blog with them!

Why Middle Aged Adults Avoid the Dentist: Cost and Fear Are Big Factors

Are you embarrassed by the condition of your teeth? Do you have dental problems that are causing pain, difficulty eating, or missed work? Have you been skipping your regular preventive dental cleanings?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions you're not alone. The dental health of middle-aged Americans faces a lot of problems right now according to new results from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging.

Here are some of the surprising statistics:

• Thirty percent of Americans between the ages of 50 and 64 say they're embarrassed by the condition of their teeth.
• A slightly larger percentage say dental problems have caused pain, difficulty with eating, missed work or other health problems in the past two years.
• Forty percent of Americans don't get regular cleanings or other preventive care that can help them avoid dental problems.

Why don't people get needed dental care? Cost was the most commonly reported answer, given by 69 percent who said they did not get, or delayed, needed care. One in five cited fear of the dentist as a major factor for not receiving care.

Insurance coverage has a lot to do with this lack of care. Nearly one-third of those surveyed did not have dental insurance and one-half did not know how they will get dental insurance coverage after they turn 65.

Creating Opportunities To Help Our Patients

"Oral health is a critical factor in overall wellness - for example, people with periodontal disease are at greater risk for Alzheimer's Disease, stroke, certain cancers, and rheumatoid arthritis" states Dr. Jeff Morrison, of Jeff M.Morrison & Assoc., DDS. This research helps us identify some key issues -- such as lack of insurance coverage and dental fear -- which may be keeping patients from the receiving the care they need. It also allows us to create opportunities to encourage these patients to come in."

"For example, because regular preventive dental care and early treatment for problems can be out of reach for those without dental insurance, we created the St. Mary's Street Dental Savings Plan. This in-office plan covers the cost for annual preventive care and offers a significant savings off all other treatment throughout the year. We also offer a variety of payment options, including Care Credit dental financing." says Dr. Morrison.

"We also understand that fear keeps many people from the dentist, and our entire staff works hard to address the anxiety and concerns among patients of all ages."

Are you delaying needed preventive care or treatment - for any reason? Give us a call at (919) 755-3450 and let our friendly staff help you find a solution. You can also go online and schedule.

Story Source:  Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan. "Tooth trouble: Many middle-aged adults report dental pain, embarrassment and poor prevention: More than 1 in 4 lack dental insurance now, and half don't know how they'll get it after age 65, U-M/AARP National Poll on Healthy Aging finds." 

Sedation Dentistry: What You Need to Know

If you shudder at the thought of a dental visit, or avoid it altogether, you're not alone. Dental anxiety is very real and it's estimated that up to 20% of people avoid seeing the dentist because of anxiety and fear. At Jeff M. Morrison & Associates DDS, we want you to take excellent care of your oral health - which means coming in for regular cleaning and exams, and having dental problems addressed at the earliest possible stage. That's why we offer sedation dentistry to those who need extra help feeling calm and relaxed during a dental procedure.

We will administer a controlled amount of sedative medicine before or during your dental procedure, helping to reduce your anxiety and create a calm treatment experience.  Whether you are getting your wisdom teeth removed, a cavity filled, or simply a routine cleaning and exam, we will work with you to assure that you are comfortable, calm and relaxed.

Sedation dentistry is divided into different categories. Minimal sedation, which decreases anxiety while maintaining full consciousness, can be achieved through mild anti-anxiety medication or nitrous oxide. Moderate, or conscious, sedation is commonly achieved through a combination of sedative pills and an intravenous sedative. It creates a sleeplike state in which the patient's response to touch and sound is strong. Intravenous sedation allows you to sleep deeply in an unconscious state where you will not be awakened until the effects wear off or medication is used to reverse it.

At Jeff M. Morrison & Associates, DDS, our patients’ comfort is our priority. We offer two types of minimal dental sedation to help you feel completely relaxed before, during, and after your visit to our office:

• Inhalation Sedation (or Laughing Gas) is a combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen that you breathe in through a mask placed over your nose to help you relax. The amount you receive is controlled by Dr. Morrison. This form of sedation wears off quickly.

• Oral Conscious Sedation is in the form of a prescribed pill that is taken about an hour before your dental procedure. With this form of sedation, you remain conscious and completely aware of your surroundings in a very calm and relaxed state. A variety of medications are available for this type of sedation, and Dr. Morrison will carefully discuss your particular needs to determine which choice would work best for you. However, all are classified as anti-anxiety medications and achieve the same result: reducing and even eliminating the anxiety of dental treatment.

Inhalation sedation and oral conscious sedation can safely be used together for an even deeper feeling of relaxation.

Is Sedation Dentistry Right For You?

Here are a few things to discuss with Dr. Morrison when considering sedation dentistry: 

• Is the procedure lengthy or complex? Sedation dentistry may allow us to complete your treatment in fewer appointments and to finish complex procedures in less time.

• Do you have a psychological or physiological reason (such as a highly sensitive gag reflex) that makes dental procedures difficult? Sedation dentistry may successfully address these reasons by allowing you to relax deeply through the procedure. 

• Do you have any serious health conditions, or are you pregnant? Using sedatives during a dental procedure may not be a good idea for people who are pregnant, or who have certain cardiac or respirator conditions. 

While your dental treatment is performed, your vital signs will be carefully monitored to ensure that your experience is as safe as possible. If you've only received nitrous oxide, the effects will wear off almost immediately and you will be able to drive home, or return to work or school. The effects of oral sedation last longer than with nitrous oxide alone, so you'll need someone to drive you home after your procedure. Unexpected reactions to inhalation or oral sedation are exceedingly rare, but as with any medical procedure, Dr. Morrison will review your health history, discuss the risks and benefits, and carefully monitor you throughout the procedure for any changes in blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels.

"It’s normal to experience some apprehension about going to the dentist, especially if you've had a negative experience at the dentist as a child, or if you’re heading into an extensive procedure" says Dr. Morrison. "Before I offer the option of sedation - I try to find out the source of the patients' anxiety and their level of anxiety, and then we talk about ways to manage it," he said. "I can oftentimes get an anxious patient comfortably through a procedure just by talking with them, distracting them, taking breaks, and explaining what we are doing at each stage of treatment." 

"However, some patients simply won't get the care they need unless they have some kind of sedation and in these cases the risks of not receiving dental care is greater," said Dr. Morrison. "For these patients, using sedation dentistry to help them face their fears and get the treatment they need is essential."

At Jeff M. Morrison & Associates, we do what we can so all patients feel completely comfortable in our office— no matter how big or how small their treatment may be. Is it time for your cleaning and exam? Give our office a call at 919.755.3450 or schedule online. We look forward to seeing you.

Eight Ways to Help Your Anxious Child At the Dentist

As a dentist, and the father of a child who has dental anxiety, I know how helpless, embarrassed, and even frustrated parents feel when their child is experiencing a high level of anxiety at a dental appointment.  With the right amount of empathy, support, skills and coaching, nearly every child can overcome this fear.  

Here are my suggestions - as a dentist and a dad -  on how you can help your child deal with anxiety at the dental office:

Don't Share YOUR Dental Anxiety  

If a parent struggles with anxiety at the dentist - and I know a lot of adults do - there's a good chance their child will, too.  Why?  Because when you voice your fear, avoid going to the dentist, make jokes about how much you dislike dental appointments - your child picks up on it.  Addressing your own dental anxiety may help limit how much your child models these same behaviors.

The Benefits of the Dental Visit  

It's easy for a  frustrated parent to portray the dentist and a dental visit as a consequence or form of punishment for their child's poor oral hygiene.  Don't use threats like: "If you don't brush your teeth the dentist is going to use the drill to fix your cavities" - or something equally frightening.  Instead, emphasize how happy he is going to be when your child has a great check up, or how proud you'll be when the Dental Hygienist tells you that he has done a great job brushing.  Let them know the dentist is there to help keep their teeth healthy just as their pediatrician helps keep their body healthy. 

Visit Early  

Bring your child in at age three for their first visit.  We'll have a friendly chat, let them touch the instruments, see the inside of their mouth with the intraoral camera, listen to the noise of the suction machine, and sit in the chair.   We'll even take a quick peek in their mouth and let them get a toy out of the treasure box.   If your child shows signs of anxiety early on we can start to work on it.  Unaddressed dental anxiety usually just get worse.

Acceptance and Empathy 

Accept and empathize with - rather than invalidate - your child's anxiety.   Try to get at the specifics of their fear - are they worried about pain?  Fear of the unknown?   Getting a shot?  Loud or strange noises?  Taking a moment to understand and accept their feelings will allow you to support your child more effectively.  Share their fears with our staff so that we can assure their comfort when they're at the office. 

Don't Overreact 

It is hard to see your child upset, but as parents, we have to tolerate their distress, remain positive and calm, and move forward with the dental appointment because it's in the child's best interest.  Calling off the appointment or procedure,  providing excessive reassurance to a crying child, or appearing to be overly concerned about their anxiety may actually strengthen and reinforce it.  

We've found that often a child's anxiety will lessen when mom or dad remains in the waiting room during the appointment.  This lets the child know that their parent is confident  they're going to be fine, which alleviates some of the fear and allows the child to calm down. 

Help them Manage Their Anxiety  

If the sound of the suction machine is terrifying we can take a few minutes to let them see it and experiment with putting it in their mouth.  Prepare them for the appointment -  let them know the week before, the day before and the day of the appoint that they will be coming in to see the dentist.  Arrive early so they can sit calmly in the waiting area for a few minutes.  Help them come up with some calming strategies.  Do they have an item that keeps them calm?  We don't mind if their favorite toy or blanket is in the chair with them.   You can also download a kids or some special music for them to listen to on earphones while we work.  Finally, even very young children can practice simple breathing or relaxation techniques.  

Reward Brave Behavior 

Instead of paying attention to anxious behavior, or expressing disappointment about how they acted during the visit, praise their use of anxiety management skills - even if it was minimal.   Were they able to go into the exam room on their own?  Did they stay in the dental chair?  Did they get through the exam without crying?   Or maybe they cried for just for a minute?  These are all great steps.  

Prevention is Key 

The best way to help your anxious child?  Make sure they take great care of their teeth at home, and bring them in for regular exams and cleanings.  We can identify areas where they may need to improve their brushing, or intervene at a very early stage if there  is a problem.   With good oral hygiene, they may be able to avoid potentially anxiety-inducing procedures and simply have pleasant, comfortable visits for cleanings and exams.

We'll work together with you to make your child's dental experience as comfortable and pleasant as possible.  If you have questions or want to schedule an appointment, please contact us.   Do you have other calming strategies you've used with your anxious child a medical or dental visit?  Feel free to share in the space below.  

As always - we always welcome new patients (even anxious ones).