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How Sedation Dentistry Can Help You Overcome Dental Anxiety

by | Jun 3, 2020 | Blog

For many people, just the thought of visiting the dentist makes them feel anxious. The emotion can range from anything between simple anxiety to intense phobia. In some cases, the phobia can be so traumatic that they avoid going to the dentist entirely. Sedation dentistry in Midtown, TX can help you overcome your fear of visiting the dentist.

Skipping the dentist due to anxiety or fear is a bad idea. If you don’t visit the dentist for regular checkups, you are putting your oral health at risk. Healthy teeth and gums are necessary at every stage of life not only for a dazzling smile, but also to let you chew and speak properly. Further, your oral health is also closely associated with your overall health. So it is necessary to keep your oral health in proper shape at all times.

There are many reasons why some people experience anxiety at the thought of going to the dentist. For some people, it may be due to a previous bad experience. Some others are simply scared of needles and feel uncomfortable at the thought of the dentist using sharp tools. Fear or pain, anesthetics or side effects can also be a cause of anxiety. No matter what the reason, sedation dentistry can help you overcome it.

How Sedation Helps in Reliving Anxiety

Sedation dentistry ensures that the patient has a comfortable dental visit. Sedatives help in controlling pain and help the patient relax. When the patient is relaxed, they can undergo the treatment comfortable and effectively.

There are two popular types of sedation that are generally preferred by dentists – Nitrous Oxide and Oral sedation. Nitrous oxide or laughing gas is highly effective and has been used for decades. The sedation works quickly and wears off quickly after the treatment too. It is administered through a mask that the patient wears during the treatment. There are some other types of sedation too such as IV sedation, general anesthesia and more. Let us see why nitrous oxide is a preferred sedation option:

1. Fear of needles –

Many people are anxious of needles. If the sedative also has to be administered with a needle, it will be of no use. Nitrous oxide is a great choice for this. The patient simply needs to put on a mask and inhale the laughing gas during the treatment.

2. Safe –

A good number of people experience some side effects from general anesthesia. Laughing gas is a breathable gas that has no or minimal side effects. This ensures safety of the patient.

3. Flexibility –

One of the biggest advantages of nitrous oxide as a sedative is that it works almost instantly. The patient can feel its effect immediately after inhaling the gas. Similarly, the effect of the nitrous oxide also wears out instantly. This allows the patients to go back home on their own after the procedure is over. They won’t have to depend on someone to drive them home. Further, the dentist can adjust the level of sedation when using nitrous sedation. The dosage of the gas can be controlled by the dentist as per the needs.

If you are also scared of the dentist, you should talk to your dentist about sedation options. Sipping dental cleanings and checkups is never a good idea. A sedation dentist in Midtown TX can safely administer sedation so you can get treatment comfortably.

At FLOSS Dental – Midtown, the dental health and comfort of our patients are always our priority. If you are looking for comfortable and effective dental services, we are here to help.