Taking a trip to the dentist can be an intimidating experience. In fact, nearly 30% of people have some level of dental fear or phobia. These people are more likely to delay or postpone a dental appointment. This can lead to serious problems with oral health. Sedation dentistry offers a solution to dental anxiety so that you can access the treatment you need without the trauma.
Whether you are planning a dental procedure or have a lot of anxiety over it, there are several options available to you. Sedation dentistry is one of them. Nitrous oxide is a type of sedation that is used in many dental offices. Other options include oral sedatives.
Dental Anxiety
Sedation dentistry is designed to help anxious patients relax. The technique may involve the use of a pill, laughing gas, or another type of medication. A trained professional administers the medication. These methods can ease anxiety and make a person’s visit to the dentist a much easier process. At Crookes & Jenkins Dental, we use nitrous oxide (sometimes called laughing gas or happy gas) and oral sedatives to help our patients relax.
Nitrous oxide is a common form of sedation. The gas is inhaled through the patient’s nose. This helps the patient relax and feel less anxious. The effects of nitrous oxide are short-lasting with the effects of the gas reversible by administering additional oxygen. Oral sedatives tend to be longer-lasting than nitrous oxide. They are taken before the beginning of the procedure and will make the patient feel drowsy. We recommend having someone drive you home after taking oral sedatives.
Laugh Away Your Anxiety with Happy Gas
Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, is a common technique used by dentists to help relieve anxiety during dental procedures. The odorless gas is inhaled through a small mask. It is a form of sedation that has been around for over a hundred years and is l very effective. It has helped millions of patients and is commonly used in birthing suites. The laughing gas works by altering the way your brain responds to pain and pleasure. This allows you to feel more relaxed during your procedure
The best part is that the effects are short-lived. Nitrous oxide is inhaled through a mask and is quickly expelled from your lungs. It will wear off after a few minutes and can help you get back to normal. Laughing gas is safe for most people and can even be used by children. Indeed, nitrous oxide in dentistry is a safe alternative to general anesthesia. Possible side effects include minor headaches, which dissipate quickly.
Sleep Through Your Procedure with Oral Sedatives
Whether you are undergoing a routine checkup or a serious procedure, oral sedatives in dentistry can be very helpful. They can ease anxiety and make the dental experience less stressful for most patients.
Depending on the type of sedation chosen, the patient may not remember the entire procedure. However, they can respond to commands. Oral sedatives are given a period of time before a dental appointment, allowing the patient to be comfortable before the procedure. The patient should have someone drive them to and from the office.
When choosing a sedative, we will consider the patient’s age, pain threshold, and medical history. We will also take the length of the treatment into account.. Depending on your needs, we will determine the best kind of sedative for you.
How Can We Help?
We don’t want anyone to delay much-needed dental care due to nerves or anxiety. Our sedation dentistry offerings mean that anyone can undergo dental treatment, despite any existing fears or phobias. We will ensure that you are relaxed and ready for your treatment, with no stress or trauma.
To learn more about sedation dentistry at Crookes & Jenkins Dental, please have a look here.
To schedule an appointment, please call (07) 3367 1122 or make an enquiry here.
Don’t forget to share this via Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and LinkedIn.
