How to Ease Anxiety of Going to the Dentist
Researchers from the University of Utah Pain Research Center conducted a study on the potential benefits of music on pain.
The researchers evaluated 143 subjects who were told to listen to music, follow melodies, and identify deviant tones. During the music, the subjects were given experimental fingertip electrode shocks.
The hypothesis of the study was that the music would divert the subjects from focusing on the pain.
After evaluating the outcomes of the study, the researchers concluded that a
rousal from the pain stimuli decreased when the demand during the music-task increased. This shows that music helps to reduce pain by activating sensory pathways that compete with pain pathways. When the sensory pathway is stimulated, the pain pathway is less stimulated. In other words, music provides intellectual and emotional engagement that helps to reduce pain.
Good news for the anxious dental patient! For those of you who are nervous about going to the dentist, music may help ease your anxiety.
Sedation dentistr
y may also help ease your nerves about visiting the dentist. Detroit dentists Dr. Joseph Nemeth and Dr. Amar Katranji believe that all of their patients should have the option to be in as relaxed a state as possible while undergoing their dental procedures. Sedation dentistry helps these fearful patients to overcome their anxiety, and is available at our office near Birmingham, MI.
To learn more about sedation dentistry or for an appointment with one of our dentists, please contact us at 248-357-3100 or on the web at www.drnemeth.com.