Some people have an extreme fear of going to the dentist. It can be due to several reasons – phobia, an unpleasant experience before, or anxiety. No matter why you are nervous when visiting the dentist, sedation dentistry will help you feel comfortable. It will help you feel relaxed while the dentist works magic and keeps your mouth healthy.
Types of Sedation Used
Dentists specializing in sedation dentistry provide different levels and types of sedation. It depends on your unique needs. It will depend on the patient’s level of anxiety, personal preferences, health history, and the length of the procedure. Based on these factors, the dentist may administer the following types of sedation:
- Minimal– You feel relaxed, but you are awake
- Moderate– You are conscious but may not remember much of what happened during the procedure
- Deep– You are almost unconscious, but you can still be awakened
- General Anesthesia – In this case, you’re completely unconscious during the procedure
The sedation options available include nitrous oxide, also called the “laughing gas”, oral sedation through a pill, and IV. You will be given medications for deep sedation and general anesthesia to put you into a deep sleep.
How Sedation Can Help Nervous Patients
The following are the benefits of sedation dentistry and how it helps nervous patients.
Feel Comfortable During Procedure
The biggest benefit of sedation dentistry is the relief from anxiety. People have different levels of anxiety. Some feel jittery before the procedure, while others feel completely overwhelmed, thinking it will go wrong. Sedation can help them calm down and feel relaxed the entire time the dentist works.
Pain-Free Dental Procedure
Pain is one of the many reasons people are afraid of dentists. It doesn’t have to be a problem anymore with sedation dentistry. While the patient is under the influence of anesthetics and sedatives, the brain can’t register pain. You don’t have to worry that it will be painful, whether you are getting a tooth extracted or a dental implant.
Reduced Gag Reflex
The gag reflex is important for expelling anything that shouldn’t be in your throat. However, your gag reflex will be a hindrance while your dentist works on your mouth, and it suddenly acts up. Sedation dentistry paralyzes the gag reflex, making it essential for the dentist to go deep into your oral cavity.
Prevent Further Phobia
A lot of people have a phobia of going to the dentist. You might not have had a fun experience visiting the dentist when you were a child, and even now that you’re an adult, you still feel afraid. Sedation helps you calm down and forget most of the procedure, so you don’t get further trauma or fear. It can help reduce your fear of going to the dentist.
Quicker and More Efficient Dentist Work
When a patient is nervous, they might not sit well in the chair while the dentist works. They are probably squirming, which makes the procedure difficult even for the dentist. Putting the patient under sedatives or anesthetics will make them calm down. This allows the dentist to work more quickly and efficiently.
Dentists recommend that you get a dental checkup at least twice a year. However, many people never once visit due to their phobia. Fortunately, thanks to sedation dentistry, you can now have a stress-free visit to the dentist.
Learn more about sedation dentistry at Today’s Family Dental in Florida. Call us at (813) 212-8700 or find your way to our Lutz office.
