“No offense, but I really don’t like the dentist.”

As a general dentist, I hear that one a lot.

The state of your mouth is not only important to your health but affects confidence as well.  An unhealthy mouth can lead to pain, tooth loss, decreased ability to eat, and a lack of confidence in one’s smile. The effects can be far reaching and at times overwhelming for many patients.

There are many reasons why people avoid going to the dentist.

It may be due to dental anxiety stemming from a previous unpleasant experience or a bad memory from childhood visits to the dentist. It may be that there is a feeling that their dental problems are just too bad to be fixed. It may be that the potential costs involved are too frightening. Whatever the reason, there are options available to ease the process and achieve a healthy and beautiful smile.

• On a daily basis we work with patients with dental anxiety. The use of laughing gas or various levels of sedation allow for dental procedures to be accomplished in  a comfortable manner.  These modalities work for patients who would otherwise not tolerate treatment.
• Often I hear from patients that they feel their mouths are too far gone, its hopeless, and they even may feel embarrassed by having anyone see their mouth. Patients will ask “Is this the worst you’ve seen?”  Well guess what, I’ve seen worse. But if you are sitting in my chair then you are in the right place to do something about it and make a positive change in your health and appearance of your smile.
• Sometimes the thought of the costs involved with dental treatment will prevent a patient from ever coming into the dental office. There are often multiple options for treating dental problems. The vast array of options have a spectrum of costs associated. By discussing the options with a dentist, patients can evaluate what will work best with their budget and their lifestyle.

Oral health is something that is important yet often neglected. The appearance of your smile can affect the way you present yourself to the world around you. Our entire dental team has the goal to help patients overcome impediments to seeking dental treatment.

By: Colleen E. Nash, DDS
General Dentist
Virginia Family Dentistry Atlee-Ashland