There’s so much we can do to help keep your smile healthy and more beautiful, but some people let fear get in the way. Some people don’t take advantage of all we can offer, because they’re nervous about going to the dentist. But, did you know that we can offer an experience that’s free of anxiety and pain?
We offer local anesthetics to block your pain-receptors or medication that can help you relax while you’re seeing us. If you’re still not sure, understand that we may offer some people both, to help them relax and better enjoy their experience, especially if injections can cause anxiety.
Strangely, fear heightens your awareness, leading you to experience every little movement more strongly than if you were relaxed. Your pain threshold goes down when you’re nervous. If you find yourself so nervous that you avoid seeing the dentist, sedatives can help bring much-needed comfort.
Understand that we will need to ask some questions before we can recommend any particular sedative. You will be asked to provide your complete health history, including all the medications you are taking. We will also ask if you smoke or drink.
How can we help? Oral sedation (given by mouth) is a popular option for many people precisely because it does not require the use of needles. Oral sedatives are either swallowed whole in pill form or can be dissolved under the tongue. Both methods work in a matter of minutes. A variety of oral sedative medications have been developed through extensive research and testing to make your experience of dental treatment as comfortable and relaxing as possible. All have long safety records after decades of use, and several even have “amnesia” properties, meaning you will remember little to nothing, even though you are conscious throughout the treatment.
- Inhalation Conscious Sedation Nitrous oxide has been used in dental offices for almost 100 years, and it is great for helping calm anxiety. This is a very safe option to help calm your nerves.
- IV Conscious Sedation Sedatives delivered directly into the bloodstream intravenously (into the vein) are more potent than when taken orally. You must be monitored throughout your IV sedation treatment to maintain your safety.
If you want to learn more, give us a call at (863) 682-1500 today.