If you are one of the people who have a severe dental phobia, you may want to avoid seeing the dentist as much as possible. However, that isn't necessarily the best idea because your oral health is so important. Poor oral health can lead to all kinds of problems, up to and including malnutrition. If you are that scared, there are ways that you can handle it. One is to visit a dentist who does sedation dentistry. 

Sedation Dentistry

A dentist who uses sedation dentistry in their practice, uses a variety of levels of sedation so that you can be calm while the procedure or visit is happening. What level of sedation they use depends on you, the severity of your phobia, and what kind of procedure you are having done. 

Anti-Anxiety Medications

One way that your dentist may help you with your problem and help get you into the office is to use some kind of anti-anxiety medication. These medications are generally quick acting and can help you with panic attacks or general anxiety. If you take one before your appointment, then it can take the edge off your phobia and let you get to the appointment and get through it easily. One benefit of using this kind of sedation is that you can generally drive after your appointment since the medicines generally don't last very long, depending on the dosage and medication your dentist provides. 

Light Sedation

You and your dentist may decide that you need something more than anti-anxiety medication to get through the appointment. In that case, they may decide to help you out with some light sedation. There are various ways that they can do this. One is that they can use something like nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. That can help you relax you and put you just enough under that you aren't really fully cognizant of what is going on. You can still respond to the doctor and have a conversation, but whatever is happening doesn't bother you as much. If you do decide to go with this level, you will need to have a ride home from your appointment since the medications will affect you and make it so that you can't safely drive. 

If you are scared of the dentist, you aren't alone. There are many people who have varying levels of dental fear. A sedation dentist can help you with that.