Dental visits are not something everyone looks forward to. In fact, many people have a very real fear or anxiety about going to the dentist. Whether it is a fear of needles, a strong gag reflex or a traumatizing experience from the past, you may avoid routine dental care due to your emotions or mentality about the visit. Sadly, when routine dental care gets neglected, serious dental problems can result. These can include severely damaged teeth, advanced gum disease and other complications that require lengthy and invasive procedures to correct. That’s why it is important that you understand that dental care can be stress-free — even for the most anxious patient.
Sedation Dentistry Is Your Friend
How do you overcome a paralyzing fear of the dentist? Is there a way to get your child to relax in the dental chair? Sedation dentistry is the answer to comfortable dental care. Sedation dentistry can involve oral conscious sedation, in which a patient takes an oral pill prior to the appointment. It can also involve wearing a small mask during your procedure and breathing in a colorless gas called Nitrous Oxide. Each of these methods of sedation dentistry are effective at helping patients relax while still allowing them to remain awake and able to communicate during their appointment. Nitrous oxide is widely used for kids, and it has no lingering side effects that would prohibit patients from driving themselves home.
Do I Qualify for Sedation Dentistry?
There are no set rules for who can and cannot get sedation dentistry. It is a service that is available for all patients who need it.
If you suffer from the following, sedation dentistry can help you get the dental treatments your smile needs and deserves:
- Severe anxiety about going to the dentist
- Fear of pain, needles, dental drills or not being in control
- Bad childhood experience at the dentist
- Sensitive gag reflex
- Physical or mental disability
- Trouble sitting still
- Need for multiple treatments in one appointment
To learn more about sedation dentistry at Gilreath Family Dentistry, please give us a call. We work hard to redefine the way you view dental care. From the moment you walk through our doors, we want you to feel at home.
Posted on behalf of Dr. Paul Gilreath IV,
