Page 200 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2018

HEALTHY LIVING smile
COPING WITH
DENTAL ANXIETY
You are not alone if you feel apprehensive about a visit to the dentist. Numerous studies have revealed that as many as 60 percent of people have some kind of fear or anxiety about visiting the dental office and approximately 5-10 percent of these individuals have a true dental phobia. Dental phobia is an extreme fear of the dentist or dental treatment.
The good news is that dentistry has made great strides
in the prevention and treatment of dental conditions. State-of-the-art technology allows dental treatment to
be provided in a comfortable, calm and non-threatening environment. Like many dental offices, Beach View Family Dental offers nitrous oxide (happy gas) as well as oral sedation medications to reduce anxiety before and during treatment.
The American Dental Association recommends that
you speak to your dentist and the staff about your fears. Ask questions about treatments offered for anxiety and fear. Another suggestion is to establish hand signals to communicate with your dental team if you begin to feel uncomfortable. In addition, you can wear headphones, use deep breathing and other mindfulness strategies that will help you relax during dental visits. Seeing your dentist for regular checkups, along with daily brushing and flossing, can help prevent dental problems.
9072 Lorraine Road Gulfport, MS 228.896.1840 www.beachviewdental.com
200 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • September 2018
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net