Are you afraid of going to the dentist? Maybe you’ve had a bad experience in the past or you get nervous when you hear the dental tools. Whatever the reason, you’re not alone. It has been estimated that anywhere between 30 and 40 million Americans avoid going to the dentist out of fear or anxiety, even when they need treatment for gum disease, chipped or cracked teeth, or tooth pain. No matter the level of your dental anxiety or dental fear, there is a way to put you at ease when you visit the dentist: sedation dentistry in Dublin.
What is sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is the use of various types of sedatives to calm patients’ nerves in the dentist’s chair. Whether for complex, invasive dental procedures or just a simple tooth cleaning, sedation dentistry can make going to the dentist much less stressful for those with dental anxiety.
How can sedation dentistry help me?
Sedation dentistry helps patients who experience the following symptoms:
- A strong gag reflex.
- A fear of needles.
- Physical disabilities.
- A negative response to Novocain.
- A fear of dental procedures of any kind.
- Discomfort with having the dentist or hygienist in close proximity.
If you experience these symptoms, you don’t have to suffer in silence. It is important to voice your concerns and explain your anxiety so that the dentist can address them and make your experience more comfortable.
What are the types of sedation dentistry?
The two most common types of sedation dentistry are nitrous oxide and oral sedation. For nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, you can feel the calming effects almost instantaneously. Fully awake and aware of your surroundings, you feel relaxed and content. Fortunately, the effects of nitrous oxide wear off quickly, allowing you to return to errands, home, or work without assistance or impairment.
Oral sedation is a great option for those who feel deeper anxiety or fear. About an hour before the procedure, you take an oral sedative pill. Although you are fully awake and able to answer questions during the appointment, you are less aware of what’s going on around you. The effects of oral sedation can last for several hours, meaning that you need to have an adult drive you to the appointment and back home afterward.
Going to the dentist doesn’t have to be torture. As you work with a dentist who performs sedation dentistry in Dublin, you will be able to overcome your dental anxiety. Sedation dentistry allows you to get the dental care you need while making the whole experience more enjoyable. Who knows? You may even start to look forward to visiting your dentist for the opportunity to relax. For more information about sedation dentistry, contact your dentist.
About the Author
At Distinctive Smiles of Dublin, Dr. Eric Buck, Dr. Hannah Burton, and the staff are dedicated to making their patients as comfortable as possible. Using both nitrous oxide and oral sedation techniques, they put their patients at ease and listen to their concerns with compassion. To schedule an appointment, you can call (614) 792-1800 or click here.