In the past, people who had a fear of going to the dentist only had two choices. They could try to be brave and keep their appointments or stop going altogether. Obviously, the latter was not a smart decision considering what years of neglect can do to your teeth as well as your overall health. Fortunately, we now have sedation dentistry to help you remain calm and relaxed. Most importantly, you’ll be able to remain current on your twice a year check-ups, cleanings, and exams.
Understanding Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry is a form of dental care that involves the use of medications to relax the patient while they are undergoing a wide range of procedures. In some cases, it is referred to as “sleep dentistry” although that is somewhat of a misnomer. With the exception of patients who are treated using general anesthesia, they are usually awake while their procedure is being performed. Furthermore, it involves the use of general anesthesia, an IV, laughing gas (and/or oral medications). This enables the patient to remain calm and relaxed throughout their procedure.
3 Benefits to be Aware of
Staying comfortable and relaxed throughout your dental appointment is not only in your best interests, but that of the dentist as well. Dental fears and phobias are much more common than what you might think, hence the growing popularity of sedation dentistry. However, its widespread use today is attributed to the following 3 benefits:
- Fewer dental problems – if you’ve avoided keeping your appointments with the dentist or haven’t been in a considerably long time because of your fears, you’re putting yourself at risk for developing a number of issues and problems. The more you avoid going to the dentist, the more serious – and more costly – those issues and problems are going to become. Your best option is sedation dentistry so that you can get the proper exams and cleanings every 6 months. You’ll avoid developing more serious problems in the long run.
- Much less stress – people who do not suffer with dental anxieties and phobias don’t realize how frightening it is to go to the dentist for someone who does have those issues. For some individuals, it can be almost paralyzing. Even the thought of an upcoming appointment can be terrifying. Fortunately, the fear and stress that a person suffers with can be taken away with sedation dentistry.
- Thorough check-ups and cleanings – when you suffer with anxiety and fear about going to the dentist, it can make things very difficult for them to thoroughly examine and clean your teeth. Patients can even have difficulties keeping their mouths open long enough which makes it extremely difficult for the dentist to be thorough when examining and cleaning your teeth. With sedation dentistry, the dentist is able to be meticulous and take much better care of your teeth.