Can Dental Anxiety Affect Your Health? How Sedation Dentistry Can Break the Cycle

Feeling nervous or scared about going to the dentist is more common than you might think. This is called dental anxiety, and it affects people of all ages. In fact, studies show that around 36% of people in the U.S. have some level of dental anxiety, while about 12% experience extreme fear known as dental phobia. [1]

When fear keeps people from visiting the dentist regularly, it can lead to serious problems. Skipping check-ups and cleanings may cause small dental issues, like cavities or gum disease, to grow worse over time. Left untreated, these problems can lead to tooth loss, infections, and even health issues in other parts of the body, such as the heart or lungs. 

There’s a way to break the cycle of fear and neglect. Sedation dentistry is a safe and gentle solution that helps patients feel calm and relaxed during dental treatments. With the right care, you can get the healthy smile you deserve, without the stress.

What Is Dental Anxiety?

Dental anxiety is the feeling of fear, stress, or nervousness before or during a dental visit. It’s very common and can range from mild worry to intense fear that makes it hard to even think about going to the dentist. When this fear becomes so strong that it keeps someone from getting dental care, it may be called dental phobia. [1] 

Many things can trigger dental anxiety. Common causes include:

• Fear of pain, especially if someone had a painful dental experience in the past.
• Feeling helpless or out of control while sitting in the dental chair.
• Embarrassment about the look or condition of their teeth.
• Sounds and smells of the dental office, like the sound of the drill or the scent of disinfectants.
• Fear of needles or numbing injections.

Anyone can feel anxious about dental visits, but it’s more common in certain groups. Children, adults with past trauma (especially related to healthcare), people with anxiety disorders, and even seniors may be more likely to struggle with dental fear. [2] 

Understanding what causes dental anxiety is the first step toward overcoming it. With the right approach and support, even people with high levels of fear can feel comfortable getting the care they need.

The Hidden Health Risks of Avoiding the Dentist

If you avoid going to the dentist because of fear or anxiety, you’re not alone. But skipping dental visits can lead to more than just cavities, it can also affect your overall health in ways you might not expect.

Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

When you miss regular cleanings, plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, can build up on your teeth. Over time, this leads to tooth decay (cavities) and gum disease (like gingivitis or periodontitis), which often go unnoticed until they become painful or serious. [3]  

Infections That Spread

Untreated oral infections don’t just stay in your mouth. In some cases, the bacteria can enter your bloodstream and spread to other parts of your body. This can cause serious problems like endocarditis, an infection in the lining of the heart. [4] 

Chronic Pain and Poor Nutrition

When teeth hurt or you have trouble chewing, it can be hard to enjoy food. This may lead to eating less or avoiding certain healthy foods, which can affect your nutrition. Jaw pain or headaches caused by dental problems can also become a constant source of discomfort. [5] 

Mental Health Impact

Worrying about your teeth, especially if they are damaged or missing, can affect your self-confidence and increase feelings of shame or embarrassment. For some, this leads to avoiding social situations or smiling less. Ongoing anxiety about dental health can also add to overall stress and mental health struggles.

How Dental Anxiety Creates a Harmful Cycle

Dental anxiety often starts small, maybe you had a painful visit as a child, or you just feel nervous about someone working in your mouth. But over time, this fear can create a harmful cycle that’s hard to break.

When people feel scared about visiting the dentist, they often put off appointments. The longer they wait, the more likely small issues, like cavities or gum inflammation, can turn into serious problems like infections, tooth loss, or bone damage. [6] 

This only adds to the fear. Now, the idea of going back to the dentist feels even worse because the treatment may be longer, more uncomfortable, or more expensive. Many people feel embarrassed about how bad their teeth have gotten, which can also stop them from seeking help.

Delaying dental care often means needing more complicated procedures, like root canals, extractions, or surgery. These treatments take more time and can cost much more than a simple cleaning or small filling would have.

There are gentle and supportive ways to break the cycle, like sedation dentistry. With the right care, you can start fresh and get back on track with your oral health, comfortably and confidently.

How Sedation Dentistry Can Help

If fear or anxiety keeps you from visiting the dentist, sedation dentistry can make a big difference. It helps you feel calm, comfortable, and relaxed, so you can get the care you need without stress or fear.

Types of Sedation Available

There are different kinds of sedation, depending on your level of anxiety and the treatment needed:

• Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas): A mild sedative that you breathe in through a small mask. It helps you feel calm but stays awake. The effects wear off quickly after the visit, so you can usually drive yourself home. [7]
• Oral Sedation: This is a pill (usually a type of anti-anxiety medication) taken before your appointment. It makes you feel sleepy and deeply relaxed, but you’re still awake. You may not remember much about the procedure. [8]
• IV Sedation: A stronger option where the medicine goes directly into your vein. It works quickly and can be adjusted during the procedure. You’ll be very relaxed, some people even fall asleep, and will likely remember little or nothing about the visit. [9] 

How Sedation Helps Reduce Fear

Sedation works by calming your nervous system, so you don’t feel the stress or discomfort that usually comes with dental visits. It can also reduce your sensitivity to pain, sounds, or smells that may trigger anxiety. 

Many patients say they feel like their appointment only lasted a few minutes, even if the treatment took an hour or more.

Safe and Effective for All Levels of Anxiety

Sedation dentistry is safe when given by trained professionals, and dentists will always review your health history first. [10] 

More Work in Fewer Visits

Because you’re relaxed, dentists can often complete more treatment in a single visit. This means fewer appointments, less time off work, and less stress overall, especially helpful if you’ve delayed care for a while.

If dental fear has been holding you back, sedation dentistry can be a safe and simple way to take that first step, without the fear.

Who Can Benefit from Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry isn’t just for people with fear of the dentist, it can help many different patients feel more at ease during dental treatment. If going to the dentist feels stressful, uncomfortable, or even impossible, sedation might be a helpful option for you.

1. Patients with Moderate to Severe Dental Anxiety

If just thinking about a dental visit makes you feel nervous, sweaty, or panicked, you’re not alone. Many people experience moderate to severe dental anxiety, and sedation can make the experience much more manageable. It helps you stay calm, so you can get the care you need without fear.

2. People with a Sensitive Gag Reflex

Some patients gag easily during dental work, especially when instruments are placed in the back of the mouth. Sedation can relax your muscles and reduce this reflex, making treatment easier for both you and your dentist. [11] 

3. Individuals with a Low Pain Threshold

If you’re sensitive to pain or uncomfortable even during simple procedures, sedation can help block discomfort. It can also make numbing shots feel less noticeable and reduce the soreness you feel afterward. [11] 

4. People with Past Traumatic Dental Experiences

If you had a painful or frightening dental visit in the past, it may be hard to feel safe in the dentist’s chair again. Sedation can ease that emotional stress and create a calmer, more positive experience moving forward.

5. Patients Who Have Trouble Sitting Still

Some people, such as children, patients with ADHD, or those with physical or developmental disabilities, find it hard to sit still during a long dental procedure. Sedation can help them stay relaxed and still, making it easier for the dentist to provide safe and effective care. 

Sedation dentistry is a gentle, safe way to make dental visits more comfortable for many types of patients. If any of these situations sound familiar, talk to your dentist to see if sedation could help you or your loved one.

What to Expect During a Sedation Dentistry Visit at Englewood Dental

If you’re considering sedation dentistry, knowing what to expect can help ease your mind. At Englewood Dental – The Center for Implants and Aesthetics, our team is here to make sure you feel safe, supported, and comfortable.

Personalized Consultation and Sedation Plan

Your visit starts with a friendly consultation. We’ll talk with you about your dental history, any fears or concerns you have, and your overall health. Then, we’ll help you choose the right type of sedation, whether that’s nitrous oxide or oral sedation based on your needs and comfort level. This personalized plan ensures the safest and most relaxing experience possible.

Focus on Comfort, Safety, and Gentle Care

We understand that visiting the dentist can be hard for many people. That’s why we take extra steps to make your experience as gentle and stress-free as possible. Our team follows strict safety guidelines when using sedation, and we carefully monitor you throughout your treatment to keep you comfortable and relaxed.

Supportive and Experienced Staff at Every Step

At Englewood Dental, you’re never alone. Our caring staff will guide you through the entire process, from answering your questions before the visit to checking in after your appointment. We’re experienced in working with patients who have dental anxiety, and we’re here to make your care as easy and worry-free as possible

With the right support and sedation plan, you can finally feel at ease in the dental chair. Englewood Dental is committed to helping you take care of your smile, comfortably and confidently.

Regain Control of Your Oral Health

If you’ve been putting off dental visits for years, don’t worry, it’s never too late to take back control of your smile. Many patients avoid the dentist due to fear, but sedation dentistry makes it possible to start fresh without judgment or stress.

Sedation can help you catch up on missed care by allowing more work to be done in one visit. This means fewer appointments, less discomfort, and a smoother path back to a healthy mouth.

If dental anxiety has been holding you back, now is the perfect time to take the first step toward stress-free care. At Englewood Dental – The Center for Implants and Aesthetics. Our team is ready to listen, support you, and create a gentle plan that works for your needs with the help of safe, effective Sedation Dentistry.

Break the cycle of fear and take back control of your oral health. Schedule your personalized consultation today and discover how comfortable dental care can truly be.
 

Visit our sedation dentistry page to learn more and book an appointment.