subject: Sedation Dentistry Can Make You Feel Relaxed At The Dentist [print this page] If you experience fear when confronted with the prospect of visiting the dentist, you are not alone. Millions and millions of people in America are afraid of going in to see their dentist. In fact, many people let this fear keep them from ever seeing their dentist. If you experience strong dental anxiety, it is important for you to not let this fear keep you away from the dentist. The cleanings and examinations performed by your dentist are essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. To combat your dental anxiety, your dentist can use sedative medicine to make you feel totally relaxed and comfortable during your dental appointment. If you are feeling anxious about visiting your dentist, make sure to talk to your dentist about sedation dentistry.
Oral Sedation
One of the most common sedative methods for treating patients is through oral sedation. Before your appointment, your dentist will prescribe you a pill that you will take shortly before your appointment. Once the pill has taken effect, you will feel completely relaxed and any anxiety you were feeling before the appointment will melt away. Unlike general anesthesia, however, you will never fully lose consciousness during the procedure. This means that during the procedure you will be able to respond to questions and commands from your dentist. And because the medication can last for a significant amount of time, your dentist will be able to perform all of the dental work that you need in a single appointment. Because you will not be able to drive a car after the appointment, you will need to bring a companion with you to drive you home when it is completed. When you are home, you will relax comfortably for the rest of the day. You will be able to return to work or school the next day.
Nitrous Oxide
Another popular sedative method is the administration of nitrous oxide or "laughing gas" to help patients cope with anxiety. Nitrous oxide is a colorless and odorless gas that helps to distract patients from anxiety and pain. When you inhale nitrous oxide, you feel relaxed and experience a giddy feeling. Your dentist can perform the dental work while you are inhaling the gas and all your anxiety will disappear. After you discontinue inhaling the nitrous oxide, the sedative effects will begin to wear off almost immediately. Because of this, you will be free to drive yourself home after the procedure. Nitrous oxide has been successfully administered to patients over the course of many decades and has proven to be a safe and effective way for patients to feel more relaxed at the dentist.
To learn more about sedation dentistry or to schedule an appointment or consultation, contact your Peachtree city dentist today.
