While visiting the dentist regularly is key in maintaining good oral and general health, some patients find themselves dreading a trip to their dentist. Whether your dislike of dental office comes from anxiety or physical pain, sedation dentistry can help resolve these troubles so you can receive the oral healthcare you need without the discomfort.
Who Sedation Dentistry Helps
Though most commonly associated with anxiety, there are plenty of different reasons one could benefit from sedation dentistry. The use of sedatives serves two main purposes, both of which can help provide a more pleasant experience for a variety of discomforts one may encounter at the dentist’s office:
Easing Emotional Distress
Whether you suffer from general anxiety or have dental phobia, sedatives will ease your worries by administering a sense of relaxation. From a mild form of sedation that takes the edge off to more intensive effects that may leave you zoning out, sedation dentistry can be tailored to your level of fear to ensure you receive the perfect dosage for your situation.
Lessening Physical Sensation
In addition to inducing a state of calm, dental sedatives can also reduce physical discomfort. Patients with sensitive mouths, low pain tolerance, or strong gag reflexes may find services more pleasant when under sedation. Lengthy treatments that require you to be in the chair for a significant amount of time are another good reason to use sedation dentistry. Those with sensory issues such as heightened reactiveness to certain sounds or smells may also find that sedation dentistry relaxes them better by dulling their senses.
Who Shouldn’t Get Sedation Dentistry?
While sedation dentistry is generally safe, it isn’t a good option for everyone. Patients who have central nervous system depression or have been diagnosed with glaucoma are not good candidates for sedation dentistry.
The following factors may not prevent you from being able to use dental sedatives throughout treatment, and they will play a role in the type and strength of sedation, if any, is safe:
- Respiratory Problems: Oral sedatives may slow down your breathing as a relaxation method, which could further complicate issues for those whose lungs are not in good health.
- Medications: Some medications may have a negative drug interaction with dental sedatives
- Medical Allergies: It’s important to alert your dentist to any allergies you have to medications. Those who are allergic to benzodiazepines, a common ingredient in IV and oral sedation, will need to use a different type of sedative.
- Pre-Existing Health Conditions: Patients with medical problems such as hypertension and diabetes may need to receive approval from their primary doctor prior to the use of sedation dentistry.
Before deciding whether dental sedatives are a good fit for your needs, your dentist will go over your medical history with you to ensure that this service will not only be effective but harmless as well.
Does sedation dentistry sound like the answer to your dental woes? Reach out to Dentistry at East Piedmont today, and we’ll assess your overall health to determine your fit and find an option that works for you.
