It’s a new year and you’re ready to turn over a new leaf with your oral health. You know that there are two major components involved: oral hygiene and semi-annual visits to your dentist. You’re okay with taking more responsibility in cleaning your mouth, teeth and gums, but the idea of going in for a visit really causes anxiety. Thankfully, your sedation dentist of Farmington has some solutions to help you overcome this small roadblock and clear the way for you to enjoy the full benefits of oral health. Read on to learn more about them.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is a method of ensuring that you can receive oral care regardless of any fears and anxieties that may have hindered you in the past. Its main focus is to calm your frazzled nerves by creating a euphoric, relaxed state.
There are two basic types that your dentist has to offer:
- Nitrous Oxide Sedation – This method is commonly known as “laughing gas,” and has been used for over 100 years. It takes the edge off, allowing you to experience a degree of bliss. It is applied with a mask that is worn throughout the treatment process that allows your dentist to adjust the amount of gas you receive. Once the work is done, it’s removed, and the effects will almost immediately stop afterwards, leaving no lingering drowsiness.
- Oral Conscious Sedation – You may have more severe phobias that require a stronger acting remedy. If so, you’ll be prescribed a pill to take about an hour before your appointment, so that by the time you sit down in the chair, you’ll completely be relaxed throughout the procedure. After the work is done, it will take a few hours for the effects to wear off, so it’s necessary to have someone transport you home. Furthermore, you should abstain from driving for the rest of the day. You’ll be back to normal and fully functional the next morning.
Why is Sedation Dentistry So Important?
Sedation dentistry is so important because anything that can remove roadblocks to your optimal oral health is valuable. And again, the latter depends on you maintaining excellent oral hygiene, but also semi-annual visits with your dentist.
These appointments allow your local professional to thoroughly clean and examine (which includes X-Rays) your teeth, which nips any developing problems in the bud and ensures that you don’t risk having to endure more serious conditions, that will require major dental procedures to correct.
If you’ve been a little apprehensive about taking the necessary steps to protect your mouth, teeth and gums, then designate this as the year where you act boldly, by reaching out to your dentist in Farmington to make this your healthiest year yet. He will help you overcome your anxieties and realize just how great it feels to have total health and wellness.
About the Author
Dr. James Cole received his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University. He then went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Baylor College of Dentistry. A member of the American Dental Association and several other prestigious organizations, Dr. Cole practices at Integrity Dental and can be reached for more information through his website.