If the thought of going to the dentist makes you feel stressed, anxious or fearful, you are not alone. Dental anxiety is common. It can be caused by negative past experiences, fear of pain or injections, invasion of personal space or anesthetic side effects.

Sedation medication is often administered to patients who feel anxious about their dental procedure, have tooth sensitivity, have a low pain threshold or need a lot of dental work done.

If you’re like many people, you undergo some degree of uneasiness when facing the prospect of a visit to the dentist. It can be unsettling having someone explore a personal area of your body, such as your mouth, gums and teeth.