Dental anxiety is experienced by millions of people in the United States. Whether caused by a fear of needles or a past, traumatic experience at the dentist’s office, it can be difficult trying to muster the courage to seek oral care, especially when you need it most. Fortunately, dentists have been working for years to offer patients a solution that will create greater comfort and less anxiety. What is it? Find out how your dentist in McMinnville uses sedation dentistry to encourage individuals like yourself to receive necessary dental care and be free of stress and fear.
The Effects of Dental Anxiety on Your Oral Health
If you suffer from mild to severe dental anxiety, you may convince yourself that as long as there are no problems, there is no need to see a dentist. Unfortunately, this mindset will only result in worsening oral health over time. As a result, you will have no other option but to face your fears and spend lots of time and money fixing all the problems that could have been prevented in the first place.
Dental anxiety has a way of crippling a person’s mind. Your healthy, happy smile can quickly turn into one full of decay and disease, leaving you feeling unsatisfied and embarrassed.
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way. Instead, you can turn to your dentist for help!
Types of Sedation Dentistry
Your dental professional in McMinnville believes in providing options for patients who are anxious about their appointments, which is why you will be likely to find three types of sedation available the next time you visit: nitrous oxide, oral medication, and IV.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Used for the mildest cases of dental anxiety, you will receive a mask that will be placed over your nose. Within minutes you will begin to feel fully relaxed as a result of the gas you are inhaling. This safe mixture will help to keep you calm and still throughout your visit, making it possible for your dentist to perform even a simple checkup and cleaning. With nitrous oxide, the effects wear off almost instantly, so you are free to resume normal activity when leaving the dentist’s office.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Should you have a procedure or are facing more moderate anxiety, your dentist can prescribe an oral medication that you will take the day of your appointment. Once in the chair, the effects of the medicine will be well underway, and you will feel as if the visit is over in mere minutes. Although you will remain conscious and able to correspond to your dentist’s cues, you will likely have little memory of your visit. It will be necessary to have someone escort you to and from your appointment, as the medication does take some time to wear off.
IV Sedation
Whether you need multiple procedures that can be performed at once, or if you have extreme dental anxiety, your dentist can offer IV sedation. Apart from general anesthesia, this is the most advanced form of sedation and involves administering the sedative through an IV in the hand or arm. It will enter the bloodstream and cause you to become heavily sedated. Throughout your visit, your dental team will monitor and adjust the levels, if necessary. You will remain completely comfortable but will need someone to take you home after your appointment. It is best if you spend the rest of the day relaxing at home, as it can take a while for the effects to fully wear off.
With all these available options, there is no need to be fearful of the dentist. You can now receive the care you need without the additional stress and anxiety. Talk to your dental professional today about how you can be treated with sedation dentistry during your next visit.
About the Author
Experiencing dental anxiety? Worried about what to expect during your next dentist’s appointment? Dr. Natalya Ramsay and her team at Evans Street Dental want to calm your nerves and help you relax, which is why they offer sedation dentistry. Using safe and effective methods of treatment, their commitment to ensuring your comfort will have you feeling at ease in no time at all. To find out how you can reduce your anxiety and become less fearful of the dentist, visit our website or call (503) 472-1402.