Did you know that 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, most often due to decay or gum disease? To avoid becoming part of this statistic, dental exams are your first line of defense.
Fear of the dentist affects millions of Americans. Sedation dentistry helps many of them, but like some, you may be interested in alternatives. What about therapy?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is short-term treatment to help patients face their dental phobia. Psychologists at King’s College London Dental Institute used CBT to help patients change their negative thoughts—replacing them with positive thoughts.
130 patients (31 men, 99 women) who had different levels of anxiety participated in psychologist-led therapy. After therapy, 79% of patients had dental treatment without sedation. 6% had dental procedures with sedation. On average, after five CBT sessions, patients were able to complete their dental appointment without being sedated. The Dental Fears Research Clinic at the University of Washington, which teaches anxiety-management skills, has achieved similar results.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that you can have five therapy sessions for your dental phobia and be good to go. Each case is different.
Why face your dental fear?
Picture with a woman sitting in a dental chair with one thumb up, who might have overcome fear of the dentist with therapy or sedation.Whether you choose sedation dentistry, cognitive behavioral therapy, or some other way, it’s important to face your dental fear. Putting off dental appointments can cause more harm to your oral health than you think.
If you suffer from dental anxiety, schedule an appointment with a gentle dentist just to talk about it. He or she will try to understand the source of your fear, make the effort to help ease it, and offer suggestions to help you get regular and productive dental visits.
This post is sponsored by the San Jose family dentists of Hillsdale Dental Care.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Did you know that 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, most often due to decay or gum disease? To avoid becoming part of this statistic, dental exams are your first line of defense.
Dental crowns and bridges are true workhorses — both helping to preserve your dental health in valuable ways. Here’s a look at the difference between the two, and how each may give you something to smile about.
A missing tooth is more than an inconvenience. It’s a breakdown in the system that maintains your oral health, starts digestion, and permits effective communication. The best way to replace any missing tooth is with dental implants.
Dental veneers have a great reputation for creating an even and bright smile, but they aren’t all about the glamor. Veneers can correct and reinforce some tooth damage, misalignments, and other flaws that you might not expect.
When you brush your teeth, do you notice a red stain on your toothbrush? If so, you’re bleeding from your gums. You may have gingivitis, or gum disease. It can cause serious complications if left untreated.
Time takes its toll on many parts of your body, and your teeth are no exception. Long-forgotten dental work can fail, and sometimes your teeth simply change over time. Here are some of the common dental issues that older adults face.