Dental anxiety and phobia are similar in that they can stop you from visiting the dentist and getting the care you need.
- Dental Anxiety: Feeling uneasy or anxious before a dental visit.
- Dental Phobia (Odontophobia): Fear and anxiety that may feel overwhelming or even irrational.
Fortunately, some dental practices take measures to meet you where you are in your stress and help make visiting the dentist less daunting.
Beyond the 'Nerves' of Visiting the Dentist
According to the University of Adelaide, nearly 20 per cent of adults and 10 per cent of children feel anxious about the dentist.
This can mean feeling nervous the night before your appointment or even cancelling the visit altogether.
At Painfree Dentistry, we take measures to help combat anxiety and phobias:
- We talk to you about the treatment and ensure you know what to expect.
- We offer a judgement-free dental setting and aim to help you relax.
- We address your concerns and answer your questions.
- We provide varying levels of sedation dentistry in Parramatta.
If ever there is anything we can do to make your appointment less stressful, please don’t hesitate to speak with our team.
Understanding the Difference: Anxiety vs Phobia
Dental anxiety and dental phobia are often discussed interchangeably. However, a phobia is typically a more severe form of anxiety. With a phobia, you may never visit the dentist. With anxiety, you may hesitate to seek treatment.
In either case, we are here to help you re-establish dental care and improve your dental health.
Sedation Dentistry Options at Painfree Dentistry
- Intravenous (IV) Sedation: Powerful medication delivered through an IV
- Injex: Relies on air pressure to mitigate discomfort
- Anaesthetic gel: A way for your Parramatta dentist to numb the gum before administering sedation.
- Penthrox: A single-use inhaler used for relaxation
All patients are different, so experiences with dental sedation will vary.
Would You Like to Learn More About Sedation Dentistry?
Anxiety and dental phobia may result from a painful dental experience from the past, embarrassment over the state of your oral health, a strong gag reflex or for reasons we can’t define. Our goal is to make dental care accessible again.
If you would like to learn more about our sedation dentistry options or are ready to book a consultation, we welcome your call at (02) 9635 5166. We encourage you to ask about our financing options and current specials.