How to Overcome Your Dental Anxiety

A dentist appointment can be a source of anxiety for a lot of people. But it is important to ensure that you go for your regular checkups and get any dental concerns treated. To make your dental appointments easier, many dentists offer sedation dentistry services. The dentists put the patient to sleep or inject them with a drug to ease the process. Talk to your emergency dentist to get more information about their services.

1. Inhaling Laughing Gas

Laughing gas, also known as nitrous oxide, is provided in combination with oxygen to help the patient relax. This gas is inhaled through a mask, and its concentration levels are adjusted according to the patient's needs. The gas wears off after a while and allows the patient to continue with their day's activities as normal.

2. Oral Sedation

Oral sedation is an effective method used by dentists, to help the patient relax and aid in managing their anxieties. The patient is not asleep and is completely aware of his surroundings. The drug is administered according to the patient’s needs.

3. Intravenous (IV) Sedation

IV sedation is administered to the patient by using a needle. The needle helps in injecting the patient with the drug, which works almost immediately. The patient’s vital signs are observed during the entire period where they are unconscious.

Advantages of Sedation

1. Timely Appointments

Patients tend to delay their appointments due to their worries. This can cause the dental issues to worsen. This can be avoided if the patient is aware of the sedation methods available to him. If the patient is aware that they will not feel any discomfort that comes with dental treatments, they would avoid delaying their appointments.

2. Simple Process for the Doctor

If the patient is calm, it is easier for the doctor to treat them. The patient does not fidget or flinch and the doctor’s job is that much easier.

3. The Patient Is at Ease

Without a sedative, a highly anxious patient can barely sit through a single treatment. Their choice of sedative can make the treatment easy, instead of it being harder to deal with. The reduced anxiety will encourage the patient to regularly visit the dentist.

If a patient continues to find visits to the dentist nerve-wracking, sedation dentistry may be advisable. Our team at Waterfront Family Dentistry is equipped to help make the visit as comfortable as possible. Contact us for more information, or book an appointment to schedule a consultation with our dentists in the area.