A tooth removal treatment can seem scary at first, especially if it’s your first one. That’s only natural – having your adult teeth removed sounds like a forceful process. However, you don’t need to let your anxiety hold you back from crucial dental care. The truth is that there are many ways to conquer this dental fear. If you want, your Midlothian dentist will happily outline them. Just read on to discover four great ways to manage a fear of tooth extractions.
Know Why You’re Getting Treatment
For starters, it helps to note why you need an extraction in the first place. Keeping that fact in mind will help you feel confident in your treatment choice. So, consider how your tooth extraction(s) will treat one (or more) of the following:
- A tooth irreparably damaged by decay or an abscess
- Teeth broken beneath the gumline by a traumatic injury
- An insecure tooth loosened by advanced gum disease
- Dental overcrowding in your mouth
When you suffer from conditions like those above, a tooth extraction is the right choice. The procedure will do you a great deal of good.
Learn What to Expect from Care
If it’s your first time having a tooth extracted, you may feel afraid because you don’t know what to expect. In that case, learn how the upcoming treatment will work from your dentist. Grasping its basic points should help you feel more assured.
Fortunately, your dentist can answer your questions before treatment. They’ll even be glad to do so – they want you to be prepared for your procedure. To that end, they’ll walk you through the extraction process from start to finish.
Consider Sedation Dentistry
If facts aren’t enough to ease your worries, you can always ask your dentist for sedation dentistry. This option would use a sedative to calm you down for care.
All in all, you can choose from several kinds of sedation dentistry. One example is nitrous oxide sedation, which would have you breathe “laughing gas” through a nose mask. Another is oral conscious sedation – a method where you take a pill before your treatment. There’s even IV sedation that applies a sedative through an intravenous tube.
Listen to Some Nice Music
Perhaps you want to relax yourself without using medicines. Well, one idea is to listen to some nice music while your dentist performs the extraction.
Really, it’d be simple enough to bring your phone or music player to your appointment. You could even prepare a playlist of songs that make you feel good. Plus, a side benefit would be how the music can block out the sounds of your treatment.
With the right prep work, you can manage a fear of tooth extractions. Try to do so by using the tips above at your next dental visit.
About the Practice
Legacy Dentistry is based in Midlothian, TX. Led by Drs. Tony Nguyen and Bradon Baird, our practice strongly emphasizes quality dental care and patient comfort. Whether you need preventive, cosmetic, or restorative work, we’ll make sure your smile gets smooth and effective treatment. Our team can even help you feel calmer with our dental sedation services! For more details or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (972)-723-1148.