It is estimated that one in seven Australians are scared of visiting the dentist. That doesn’t sound like much but that means a sizeable percentage of the population is actively avoiding the dentist. That doesn’t bode well for their oral health both now and in the future.
There are many ways in which you can deal with dental anxiety. Naturally, one of the best starting points is to find a dentist, such as this dentist Campsie, who acknowledges the anxiety and will do everything they can to help you relax.
This is particularly important if you are hoping to have sedation dentistry as a dentist doesn’t just need to be reputable, they also need additional certification.
How Sedation Dentistry Works
In effect, you will be given a sedative. It’s sedation, in much the same way that hospital patients are sedated when doctors are treating certain wounds.
The sedation is light. This means you won’t be asleep while the dental exam or procedures are being carried out. However, because you’re in a lighter sense of consciousness, you will feel very relaxed and have no worries.
This ensures you stay calm and the dentist can get their work done.
It should be noted that sedation dentistry effectively alters your conscious state. It doesn’t provide pain relief, that is administrated separately if needed.
You should note that when you experience sedation dentistry you are likely to be forgetful. This helps reduce your sensitivity to pain and ensures you don’t remember anything negative about the experience.
There are several ways in which sedation dentistry can be applied:
- Laughing Gas
Laughing gas is officially known as nitrous oxide. A mask will be fitted over your face, allowing you to breathe the nitrous oxide mix and, within a few minutes you’ll feel relaxed and calm.
The dentist can adjust the mixture as required to ensure you are blissfully unaware of the procedures being undertaken. Once they’ve finished they’ll give you pure oxygen to push the nitrous oxide out of your system.
- The Pill
Sedation dentistry can be as simple as taking a pill one hour before the dentist gets to work. It’s simple, effective, and allows you to arrive at the dental appointment relaxed and stress-free.
This is a heavier sedation and you’ll take a little longer to recover. That’s why you’ll need someone else to drive you home.
- IV
IV is simply the sedation injected straight into your veins through a continuous drip. It is likely to make you fall asleep and you won’t remember anything about your treatment. It’s a great idea if you have a severe case of dental anxiety.
Why Dental Sedation?
Dental sedation is preferable to knocking you out as it is generally safer and easier to control. Dentists will use this approach for certain procedures and to help inspect the teeth of anxious patients.
If you suffer from dental anxiety it is worth chatting with your dentist about this, it can make the entire process seem more manageable.