Dental sedation might be just what you need to help you overcome the fear of going to the dentist's office. The mere thought of going to the dentist sends shivers through many people's spines, so you are not alone if you find yourself neglecting your oral health care because you are afraid of what will happen when you get to the clinic.
Some people are afraid of having a painful experience, many are worried about what the dentist might find, while others are anxious about what their total bill will look like.
If you find yourself regularly putting off appointments because of your anxiety, talk to your dentist about what your options are. You might be a good candidate for dental sedation. This can help to keep you calm before and during your appointment.
Who needs dental sedation?
Visiting the dentist is a terrifying experience for people with dental phobia or anxiety. It is frightening enough to make these people avoid going to the dentist even if it means leaving oral health issues they are dealing with and not seeking treatment.
There are many things in a dentist's office that can be frightening. For one, it is easy to feel like you are not in control when you are in a dental chair as the dentist prods your mouth. Some of the equipment the dentist uses on your teeth can also be quite intimidating. If you find yourself on the verge of a breakdown before you even make it to the waiting room, you certainly need to consider dental sedation. There is a wide range of sedatives available that will keep you calm during your visits to the dentist.
There are a variety of techniques that dentists use to keep their patients relaxed. Your personal sedation plan will depend on the level of your anxiety. At times oral sedatives might be necessary for you to take 30 minutes before your appointment. Your dentist might also decide to use nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas) to keep you relaxed during your treatment. There are also other dental sedatives that can be intravenously delivered to you.
These medicines will keep you relaxed during your appointment, leading to a more pleasant experience.
Are dental sedatives just like anesthetics?
Absolutely not. Dental sedatives are simply drugs that help to keep you relaxed and calm during your treatment. A dentist only uses sedatives when the patient's dental anxiety is a serious issue that often has a significant impact on the afflicted person's oral health. People with dental anxiety can go even decades without seeing a dentist due to this issue. This can have significant effects on a person's oral health.
Anesthetics, on the other hand, are drugs that help to numb parts of your body so that you can receive treatments. It is not uncommon for dentists to combine anesthesia with sedatives for certain treatments when working with an anxious patient.
Think dental sedation might be what you need to overcome your fear of dentists?
Request a dental appointment here: https://pier210dental.com or call Pier 210 Dental Group at (530) 885-5696 for an appointment in our Auburn dental office.
