If you fear the dentist, or have other reasons for not going, sedation dentistry can help, giving you a healthier mouth.
Reasons People Stay Away
There are multiple reasons that you may avoid the dentist:
| • | Fear. |
| • | A low pain tolerance. |
| • | You can't sit still. |
| • | Sensitive teeth. |
| • | A poor gag reflex. |
| • | You require a lot of dental work. |
Some children also fear the dentist just as much as some adults. Others refuse to sit still or cooperate with the dentist. Sedation dentistry may be recommended to help these children relax.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry uses medication to help you relax during a dental procedure. There are several types:
| • | Minimal sedation keeps you awake but relaxed. |
| • | Moderate sedation is a state of consciousness, but you are drowsy and not likely to remember much, if any of the procedure. |
| • | Deep sedation puts you on the edge of consciousness, but you can still be roused when necessary. |
| • | General anesthesia knocks you out completely. |
There are also different types of sedation. The one used is dependent upon you, the procedure and the dentist's recommendation:
| • | Nitrous oxide, otherwise known as "laughing gas," is an inhaled sedative. |
| • | Oral sedatives in the form of pills. |
| • | IV sedatives, which are used for moderate and deep sedation as well as general anesthesia. These sedatives are administered intravenously - directly into your vein. |
Sedation dentistry has multiple benefits. It relaxes you and allows your dentist to perform the necessary procedures, be it a simple cleaning or a tooth extraction. Ultimately, the greatest benefit is that you will have a cleaner, healthier mouth. If you have reservations about going to the dentist, call the office and discuss your options for sedation dentistry.