It may be that you had a painful experience when you were younger, or maybe you equate the sound of a dentist's drill with fingernails on a blackboard. You're not alone. An estimated 35 million adults experience some form of anxiety at the mention of an upcoming dental appointment.
Many patients neglect their oral health because of their fears of receiving dental care.
Yet, advances in technology and an increased understanding from dental professionals can make your next visit more comfortable. Dentists in many cases have gotten an unjustified reputation when it comes to pain. Many people don't realize that it was actually a dentist who pioneered the use of nitrous oxide and is credited as the discoverer of practical anesthetic. Today, dentists continue to lead with innovations in ambulatory anesthesia and conscious sedation. Your dentist may be able to offer you a variety of numbing solutions like ointments or patches that adhere to the roof of the mouth to deaden the area before administering a local anesthetic for a variety of procedures.