For some people, going to the dentist for a cleaning and exam is simply a part of taking care of their health. Millions of people, though, have the opposite experience. Studies suggest that about 60% of people feel anxious about visiting the dentist. Somewhere between 5% and 10% have a full-blown dental phobia.
Phobias can impact your life in many ways. The fear and anxiety make certain activities seem impossible. For those with dental phobias, their solution is often to avoid seeing the dentist altogether. Some people continue to steer clear of the dentist even when they start to experience symptoms like broken teeth, gum recession, and intense pain. Not only can this cause extreme discomfort, but you may be risking your overall health by letting dental problems go too long.
At MJM Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we feel it’s in your best interest to see the dentist regularly. But we want you to be comfortable. Sedation dentistry is the most effective option that we have found for many of our patients who exhibit anxiety. If you’re among those for whom just thinking about the dentist causes fear, sedation dentistry may make your dental visits much easier.
Nitrous oxide keeps dental patients calm
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, gives people a pleasant, relaxing feeling. Our office uses nitrous oxide to calm patients with mild to moderate anxiety. The results are remarkable. Within mere moments, relief washes over you, creating a calm and relaxed feeling. You remain awake, able to follow any directions you’re given and to respond to questions.
While you’re relaxed, we can perform your dental cleaning, take X-rays, and diagnose any potential dental problems. We monitor you continually to ensure your anxiety is kept at bay.
Nitrous oxide is a safe sedation option for most adults and children. The effects wear off within a few minutes, so your in-office recovery doesn’t take very long. After your visit, you can expect to be able to return to your daily activities with no issues.
How to prepare for nitrous oxide sedation therapy
To make your experience with nitrous oxide safe and pleasant, we recommend that you abstain from eating for a few hours before coming to our office. Some individuals experience a bit of nausea with nitrous oxide, so for your comfort, don’t eat too close to your dental appointment.
If you take any antidepressant or psychotropic drugs, let us know so we can adjust the amount of nitrous oxide that you get. Some medications can make the effects of nitrous oxide more intense.
Oral medications for dental anxiety
Those with very high levels of anxiety may require a bit more sedation when they visit the dentist. At MJM Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we have a solution that may help you keep your appointment and maintain your oral health. It’s called oral conscious sedation.
If you have a more severe dental phobia, let our office know ahead of time. We can prescribe a small amount of medication to reduce your anxiety before you arrive. That way, you don’t have to feel stressed all day before your appointment.
Several medications can help you stay comfortable before and during your visit. Talk to our office about your anxiety and health history to help us choose a drug that works well for you.
Oral sedation medications usually last for hours, so you need someone to drive you to and from our office. The effects of oral conscious sedation may last through the day, so we advise you to take the day off. Go home, relax, and take it easy. You’ll be back to yourself once the sedation wears off.
Schedule your sedation dentistry appointment
Don’t put off your oral health any longer. Our sedation dentistry makes it possible for you to maintain good oral hygiene without feeling anxious.
Schedule your next sedation dentistry appointment by calling us or contacting our office through our secure website. Make sure you tell us that you feel anxious about your upcoming visit. We’ll ask a few questions to help Dr. Malcolm Murray decide which sedation option will work better for you.
We look forward to giving you a relaxing experience at MJM Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.
