Sedation Dentistry Could Help You Manage Your Anxiety
If you have dental anxiety, you may feel like sitting in a dentist’s chair is one of the most difficult things you can do. In severe cases, you may have trouble making an appointment, much less showing up for a cleaning.
Knowing that professional dental care is good for your long-term oral health doesn’t make it any easier to deal with on an emotional level. Our team at Galleria of Smiles understands this, too. Yet, we help patients who are afraid of the dentist every week. Many weeks, we help anxious patients every day.
Sedation dentistry is one of the ways we are able to do this. In our post today, we will explain some important benefits of dental sedation, the sedation options that we offer, and other tips that could make dental care easier for you or someone you love.
To learn more, contact our dentist office in Tulsa, OK, by calling (918) 496-8010 or by filling out our online form.
Benefits of Dental Sedation
Sedation dentistry could be described as the use of medication to create a relaxed state so someone can receive dental care.
The reasons people choose to undergo dental sedation vary from person to person. You may find that one or more of sedation’s benefits apply to you.
✦ Sedation helps patients relax.
Many people become tense even if they understand the dentist or hygienist is only trying to help. Dental sedation can help create a feeling of calm throughout a cleaning or other procedure.
✦ Sedation prevents pain.
At an advanced modern dentist office like Galleria of Smiles, we have many techniques and technologies that make dental care as painless as possible. Even so, some people prefer the reassurance that their care will be pain-free, and sedation dentistry can make that happen.
✦ Sedation can save time.
For a patient in need of more complex treatment, sedation can allow us to complete more work in fewer appointments. With dental sedation, you will be able to stay longer during each appointment, which can make multiple appointments unnecessary.
✦ Sedation can ease your gag reflex.
This can be important for patients who have a particularly sensitive gag reflex or who gag more easily when they are stressed. Just as sedation can block pain, it also can block the sensations that might cause you to feel like you are gagging.
✦ Sedation can help you “forget” your dental care.
With some sedation options, you may not remember much or any of the details of your dental care. You’ll still receive the benefits, although you may not have any memory of the specifics. Some patients consider this the biggest benefit of dental sedation.
Kinds Of Dental Sedation
We have three kinds of sedation dentistry at Galleria of Smiles.
▶ IV Sedation
This is the strongest form of sedation that we offer. IV sedation takes effect quickly, and it can be adjusted during your treatment to keep you relaxed and pain-free.
This can be a great option for patients going through complex procedures or patients with severe anxiety. You will need someone else to take you home if you receive IV sedation since the effects can linger for a while after your treatment is over.
▶ Oral Sedation
This is another strong form of sedation. You take a single dose of medication prior to your appointment. This way you will be feeling relaxed and calm by the time you are ready for your dental care.
As with IV sedation, the effects can last for hours, so you must arrange for someone else to drive you to and from our dentist office if you choose this option.
▶ Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
This may be the oldest form of dental sedation. Its use can be traced back to the early- to mid-1800s. Simply breathing in nitrous oxide can induce feelings of euphoria in a matter of minutes. This will keep you relaxed and pain-free during your care.
When the treatment is over, the gas is turned off, and you exhale what’s left in your system. Within minutes, you can be feeling like your normal self again (only with a cleaner, healthier smile).
Other Tips For Dealing With Dental Anxiety
Talking to one of our dentists can be a great first step. By scheduling a consultation, you can learn more about us, our practice, and our approach to patient care and comfort.
Using headphones to listen to music can be a good distraction for some patients, which can make it easier to receive dental care. Many patients also take advantage of our comfort menu, which includes pillows, blankets, and other items that may help you feel more relaxed.
To learn more about sedation dentistry at our Tulsa, OK, office, call 918-302-2401 or contact us online.
