Dental anxiety is an intense fear of dental settings, which may discourage you from routine dental visits, risking your oral health. At Kiran Rapal, DDS, the caring team offers Saratoga dental anxiety support to ensure that you are comfortable and relaxed before your procedure.
What should you know about dental anxiety?
Dental anxiety is a phobia resulting from an intense fear of dental settings and treatments. This form of anxiety may discourage you from going in for dental care, leading to detrimental effects on your oral health. Most patients are aware that dental fear is irrational but cannot control it. You are likely to develop an extreme emotional apprehension for dental care after a terrible experience during a dental procedure.
You may also experience dental phobia due to an underlying mental disorder like post-traumatic disorder, general anxiety, or depression. If dental anxiety is not addressed, you may only find yourself at the dentist during a dental emergency or due to an advanced medical disease like severe cavities. Dr. Rapal is a compassionate dentist who understands and treats dental phobic patients with care and consideration to encourage them to overcome their fear and embrace dental care.
How can you get over dental anxiety?
The first step to getting over dental phobia is scheduling a consultation with a trusted specialist to discuss your dental anxiety. Dr. Rapal encourages and supports you every step of the way to help you face your fears by educating you on what to expect during specific dental procedures. With her admirable understanding of psychology, she may offer a few tricks to prepare you for your dental procedure by calming your nerves and mind.
Dr. Rapal may recommend deep breathing exercises or medications in severe cases to relax you. You may also request her to put on your favorite music during the procedure to ensure that you have a pleasant experience. Dr. Rapal’s office offers a soothing and friendly environment where you may enjoy a warm neck roll or coffee to relieve your tension, preventing any in-office dental accidents.
What happens during a dental appointment?
Before your dental appointment, Dr. Rapal may take time to talk to you about your fears and help you overcome them. She may inform you about what to expect during your appointment to put your mind at ease and encourage you to undertake a dental check-up routine.
Your specialist meticulously examines your mouth for gum disease, cavities, and other underlying oral problems during your appointment. She may also educate you on available treatments before recommending the most appropriate. If you need professional teeth cleaning, dental fillings, or dental implants, Dr. Rapal ensures that you are comfortable and relaxed before beginning your treatment.
She may also engage you in a topic of your choice to distract you from the procedure, lessening your anxiety. If you have self-esteem issues resulting from your oral health, such as mouth odors, your provider works closely to eliminate such imperfections while helping you feel better about yourself.
For comprehensive and gentle dental care, call Dr. Rapal or schedule an appointment on the website.
