Why Anxious Patients Love Sedation Dentistry: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Dental Anxiety Is More Common Than You May Think
More than likely, you’ve met plenty of people over the years with dental anxiety. In fact, one in four adults deals with dental anxiety in one form or another. The reasons someone might have dental anxiety can vary, but in the end, it can come at a high cost: their oral health. One thing about anxiety is that once it takes hold, it blooms and takes over. Because of this, it’s common for patients with dental anxiety to avoid their dental care entirely.
At Monroe Family Dentistry, we believe everyone deserves to have stress-free dental appointments. That’s why we have sedation dentistry with inhalation sedation, also known as nitrous oxide or laughing gas, to help our patients relax during treatments.
Understanding Dental Anxiety
What exactly is dental anxiety? The cause varies from patient to patient, but more likely, they had a bad experience in their past. In fact, it’s thought that a lot of patients with dental fear acquired it after an experience during childhood. Now, each time they think about walking into a dental office, they consider turning and running the other way. Let’s face it, many people with dental anxiety don’t even get to the point of picking up the phone to make an appointment.
Anxiety after a poor experience is incredibly common and nothing to be ashamed of! Sometimes, being able to talk it out with a caring staff (like us at Monroe Family Dentistry) will help us find the right solution for you. We promise to do everything we can to help you find a way we can help you manage your dental phobia.
What is inhalation sedation?
Nitrous oxide has been around for a long time. It’s a tried-and-true method in helping patients ease their dental anxiety. It works by helping the body’s nervous system adjust its response to stress and pain, all while easily inhaling it through a mask.
Because it’s been around for so long, we know the ins and outs of its effects. What does that mean exactly? It means we know it’s completely safe! An extra plus is the fact that patients remain awake but calm and comfortable throughout their treatment.
What to Expect During Your Visit
If you’re getting ready for your first appointment with the help of laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, you’re likely wondering what to expect. We’ve got the answers for you.
It’s easier than you might think. No pokes, no prods, just a mask on your face and a deep breath is all you need to feel calm again. Throughout your treatment, you’ll likely feel relaxed and slightly drowsy. You shouldn’t feel any fear or have to worry about the panic that has a tendency to build up inside your gut.
Once the gas stops being administered, you’ll feel like yourself in no time. This means there’s no need to ask a spouse or family member to get off work to help you get home; you can drive yourself home safely!
Who Can Benefit from Sedation Dentistry
More people benefit from sedation dentistry than you might think. Patients with dental fear are excellent candidates, as it helps them feel calm again. If a patient has a strong gag reflex or a difficult time sitting still, the nitrous oxide can also have a positive effect. For patients undergoing longer or more complex procedures, nitrous oxide can sometimes help keep them pain-free as well.
Why Sedation Dentistry Builds Confidence for Future Visits
Sedation dentistry isn’t only used to help get a patient through a specific procedure or dental cleaning. In fact, it helps them heal their dental anxiety. With the help of nitrous oxide, patients start to associate dental care with calm and positive experiences. The goal here is that all of our patients will be able to have routine visits without fear. This can help their oral health shine throughout their life and eliminate the need for invasive dental treatments in the future.
Nerves Are Normal
Many people with dental anxiety feel like they are completely alone in their struggles. Yes, everyone has a unique origin story to their fear and panic, but the results are inherently the same: the patient wants to avoid the dentist altogether, sometimes at the cost of their smile. It’s completely normal to feel nervous about dental care.
You might not know what to expect, but you have an entire team at Monroe Family Dentistry ready to answer any questions you might have. If you’re nervous, don’t hesitate to ask about inhalation sedation. It might be the right fit to help create a comfortable, stress-free experience for you, no matter what your background might be. You can request an appointment online easily!
