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My dentist makes me sweat

September 24, 2014

Filed under: Cater to Cowards — Tags: , , , , , , , — okcitydentist @ 8:47 pm

I have a real problem and I don’t know what to do about it. Every time I go to the dentist, I break out in a cold sweat. The last time, I actually left before my appointment started, making up an excuse of a family emergency.  I don’t know why this is happening.

Ezra B. – Mississippi

Ezra,

You’re suffering from dental anxiety. it is fairly common. I wouldn’t despair yet. There are many dentists who cater to fearful patients. They generally have a better chairside manner than most, are more gentle, and practice some form of sedation dentistry.

You may just need something to relax you, such as nitrous oxide.  However, if your fear is stronger, you might need something stronger, like oral concious sedation or IV sedation.

If your current dentist isn’t good with fearful patients, I would look around for another dentist. There are plenty out there who take great pride in helping people in your situation.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen

 

I can’t do needles

July 29, 2014

Filed under: Cater to Cowards — Tags: , , , — okcitydentist @ 9:04 pm

I pass out whenever I see a needle. Can you think of anything that could help me. My dentist thinks the needle is all I need because it will numb me, but I can’t get past the idea of the needle itself. I know, I’m a coward, but I don’t know what to do.

Jennie L. – Wisconsin

Jennie,

You are not the only one who has trouble with needles. I even know some dentists who can’t stand them. But, you don’t have to worry. There are dentists who specifically cater to cowards.

Each of them has a different way of treating fearful patients. Some use the wand, for pain free injections. Some use sedation dentistry, such as nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, or IV sedation.

If you current dentist isn’t compassionate about your very legitimate fears, then I would look for a different dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Bad advice for dental fear

January 30, 2014

Filed under: Cater to Cowards — Tags: , , , , — okcitydentist @ 7:42 pm

I recently read an article that promised to help people get over dental fear in just a few easy steps.  Then it proceded to give such banal advice that I was frustrated with it and I don’t even suffer from dental fear.

Some examples were to bring a magazine or plan something fun for after  your appointment. Then, it had the gall to mention that if your fear persisted, maybe you should see a phychiatrist.

When a patient is a afraid of the dentist, it is usually one of two reasons: either they are afraid of needles or they’ve had a painful previous experience at the hands of a dentist. In either case, the advice in the article I read would be useless.

So what do you do if you’re afraid of the dentist? Well, if it is the needle that makes you go weak in the knees, I would suggest you go to a dentist who uses “the wand”. You can learn more about that on our Cater to Cowards page on our website.

If you’ve had a horrible experience at the dentist than you have to find ways to build positive experiences.  One of the easiest ways to do that is to use a dentist who performs sedation dentistry.  That would allow you to get the necessary dental care without fear of pain.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

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