I have pretty severe dental anxiety. My sister told me she went to see someone called a cater to cowards dentist and it really helped her. I have no idea what that is or how they help. One thing I do know is that marijuana really helps me relax. Would a dentist be okay with that or even prescribe it?
Dave
Dear Dave,
Dental anxiety is quite common and it doesn’t make you a coward. As for marijuana, that varies from state to state. Some states allow both doctors and dentists to prescribe it. Some states allow doctors but not dentists and some don’t allow prescription marijuana at all.
There are other solutions if this isn’t an option for you, which brings us back to that Cater to Cowards dentist your sister mentioned. These are dentists which care about making patients with anxiety comfortable in the dental chair.
How Dentists Help Anxious Patients
- Compassion
These dentists understand your fear. They will work with you to help you feel comfortable. They don’t judge you for being nervous. They won’t even judge the amount of work you may need because you’ve been avoiding the dentist. No lectures.
- Anesthetic
There are local anesthetics a dentist can give a patient to make sure you are numb before any work is done.
- Sedation Dental Care
Some patients with extreme anxiety have trouble getting numb. This is because their anxiety raises their metabolism which wears off the numbing medication. There is a solution to this. Your dentist can give you some nitrous oxide before your procedure. This is sometimes called laughing gas, not because it makes you laugh, but because it makes you feel floaty and completely relaxed.
Patients who were unable to get numb in the past find this simple medication, administered by breathing through a nose piece, makes all the difference in the world. This may be just what you need.
This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.