Relief for Dental Anxiety
Most health problems are complicated by stress, which diminishes the functioning of your immune system and leaves you vulnerable to illness. Practicing relaxation gives you the opportunity to avoid the kind of constant stress (such as anxiety) that compromises your health. It relaxes your body, boosts your immune system and improves mental focus and self-image.
Below you will find ways to reduce the anxiety you feel when you think about or experience dental procedures.
Dr. Korwin will empower you to receive professional dental care with a minimum of anxiety. However, you’re likely to gain much more than improved dental health. Recent studies have shown that oral infections may create a higher risk for developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, preterm births and respiratory disease! Give yourself every opportunity to maintain good dental health through daily brushing and flossing and regular professional check-ups and cleanings.
Common Questions About Sedation Dentistry
With an experienced sedation dentist like Dr. Korwin, your treatment is done while you are in control and conscious, but in a dreamlike state.
When you arouse, you will have little or no memory of the dental visit!
As another option, for many patients who request sedation, they enough trust with Dr. Korwin’s special care for anxious patients that they lose their fear and have their dental care without any discomfort at all!
How to Overcome Dental Anxiety Organically
When you think of the dentist how does your body react?
Do you feel nauseous and short of breath? Do your palms get sweaty, your heart race, your hands shake.
You are reacting the way your ancestors did when they were faced with a lion, tiger or bear, oh my!
Adrenaline is the hormone that saves your life when you are physically in danger by giving you the energy to make a run for it, or to fight. At the dentist, however, none of these reactions are useful to you, so the energy only makes you more nervous. Sedation is a wonderful tool to overcome nervousness but when you can't have sedation, exercise can burn off this adrenaline boost and help calm you down.
Can a Common Painkiller (Acetominophen) Ease Dental Anxiety?
A research team led by psychologist C. Nathan DeWall of the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology has uncovered evidence indicating that acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) may blunt social pain. DeWall and colleagues investigated this connection through two experiments.
According to the academic paper detailing the experiments:
"Findings suggest that at least temporary mitigation of social pain-related distress may be achieved by means of an over-the-counter painkiller that is normally used for physical aches and pains."
If acetaminophen reduces the distress of rejection...the stress of dental anxiety could be reduced as well.