The Wand Bloomington MN

Anxieties About Visiting the Dentist

It’s probably no surprise to hear that many people are afraid of visiting the dentist. Actually, as many as 10-15% of Americans don’t go to the dentist because they are afraid. This means around 30 to 40 million people aren’t getting the care they need because they are scared of dental procedures. One major reason for this fear is the fear of needles. While general cleanings and checkups don’t require local anesthesia, more intensive forms of dentistry often do.

Not only are people afraid of the needle itself and the injection, but they are also worried that it won’t do the trick. There is a big fear that patients have of receiving the shot only to still feel the pain of their procedure. If this happens, another shot may be necessary—which means even more anxiety! This can leave patients feeling dizzy, faint, and even nauseous.

One issue that many people don’t even consider until afterward is the numbness around the site of the procedure. Even though only one tooth may need to be worked on, a local anesthetic will often numb an entire area. This can be extremely frustrating for patients. If they aren’t expecting it, the numbness can even be worrying.

Not getting procedures that require local anesthetic is a recipe for disaster. These procedures are more advanced, which means they are extremely necessary. If something like a deep cleaning is avoided due to fear of needles and pain, it can mean advanced gum disease, tooth decay, and even tooth loss!

Thankfully, there is an alternative to traditional local anesthesia that is painless and more targeted—The Wand.

The Wand

The Wand is cutting-edge technology that involves a computer-assisted system in which local anesthesia is administered in a painless way. It is an excellent alternative to traditional syringes. With the want, a dentist is able to pre-numb an area before the needle for the anesthesia is used. This allows for a pain-free experience. The Wand also resembles the look of a pen and is less threatening. While this may not make a difference when it comes to the actual physical effect on the patient, it helps a lot psychologically. Patients that are scared of needles can relax, as The Wand looks less scary and threatening.

While The Want is helpful for adults, it can be especially so for children. Many children are scared of visiting the dentist. If they have a cavity or other oral health issues, they can get especially scared. This is because they know what’s coming—the big, scary needle. This can not only cause distress in the moment, but it can also lead to a fear of the dentist that can last their entire lifetime.

With The Wand being so small and unthreatening, kids often don’t realize that it even has a needle. They feel a little numbness and that’s it! This means less fear of the dentist, which makes taking your kids to the dentist that much easier.

The Wand itself involves the use of a computer-controlled anesthesia application. The ergonomic design makes it easier to work with and to deliver the anesthesia. This makes it easier both on the patient and the dentist.

Benefits of The Wand

The biggest benefit of The Wand is the comfort factor. As the anesthesia is delivered painlessly, it is a lot more comfortable of a process. With that said, there are other great benefits that come with The Wand as well.

An excellent feature of The Wand is the ability to localize the anesthesia. With other forms of “local” anesthesia, an entire area is numbed. This can be frustrating when it comes to eating and drinking. It can also lead to drooling. With The Wand, as little as a single tooth can be numbed. Because of this, you don’t have to worry about a large portion of your mouth being numb.

Without the fear of a giant needle, many patients find that their stress levels go down. It’s not surprising that people grip the handles of their chairs when the dentist approaches with a needle. They may even fear the needle their entire drive to the dentist’s office. With The Wand, that fear can be let go of. Instead, you can relax during your appointment knowing that you won’t experience the pain and pinch of a needle or multiple needles to numb the area.

Ask About the Wand

When you book your upcoming appointment, ask about The Wand for your procedure. If it is available, you can relax knowing you’ll have that much more comfortable of a time at the dentist.

In order to avoid any sort of anesthesia, make sure you take proper care of your teeth, gums, and jawbone. Brush, floss, and rinse twice a day, every day. If you notice bleeding of the gums, pain in a tooth, or other issues, set an appointment with a dentist at Oxboro Dental so we can take a look and diagnose the problem. From there, we can put together a treatment plan.

If you don’t currently have an appointment in the books for a cleaning and checkup, make sure you book one today! Regular cleanings and checkups are part of a proper oral healthcare routine. Your dentist will be able to spot issues early on and help to ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy. This means fewer cavities, less gum disease, and—in turn—fewer needles!

Reach out today with any questions and to book an appointment.