What do you fear most about going to the dentist? According to surveys, the most common fears are the thought of getting a shot and the sound of the drill. Farmington Hills Dentist Dr. Shlafer has delivered painless injections for years and headsets in our office allow our patients to listen to music during their appointment. We understand that visual stimuli, sounds and memories of bad dental experiences can actually enhance pain for patients. Fear and anxiety related to dental procedures very often complicates matters. We know our minds can trick us into interpreting sights and sounds as pain but, we can also use our minds to control our pain.
Dental Pain – Is It All In Your Head?
The first step in managing or eliminating dental discomfort, is understanding the source. In many cases, the myths about dental pain often outweigh the realities and the anxieties. We are here to help you sort through what will really happen during your appointment, the new technology that is available and what options there are to manage your anxiety.
Psychological Factors: Your state of mind can impact the level of discomfort experienced, along with a high level of stress and anxiety which will make the appointment more difficult for the patient.
Options For A Painless Dental Appointment:
- Nitrous Oxide (or as many patients call it–”laughing gas”) this is an easy way for patients to relax during their appointment without any driving restrictions.
- Oral pre-medication–this is a prescription that is taken about an hour before your appointment to relax you, the effects can last for several hours and you will need a driver to take you home.
- Oral medication in addition to Nitrous Oxide is the third option–this combination of prescription drugs and nitrous will place the patient in a twilight state of mind. Patients do not remember anything that happened and again, a driver is necessary. All of these options will be additional to the anesthetic used to numb the area being treated.
Of course, the most important way to reduce the pain involved in maintaining oral health is by focusing on preventive care instead of the treatment of problems. If you have been putting off going to the dentist for a long time, you may be experiencing gum or tooth problems–if you are looking for a pain free way to manage your dental care, Dr.Shlafer can help. Dentistry has come a long way over the last few year and you will be surprised on your next visit. Even if you have put off going to the dentist, Dr.Shlafer has new ways for you to experience a painless appointment.
