Afraid of Dentists? Here's How Sedation Can Help with Dental Visits
Going to the dentist is a common fear and something no one should be ashamed of. If you have been putting off dental visits because of dental fear or anxiety, sedation dentistry can help.
Sedation dentistry uses medications to relax patients and help them stay calm and comfortable during their dental visit. Dr. Andrew G. Mortensen offers sedation dentistry to patients at his Huntington Beach, CA, practice. To find out if sedation dentistry is right for you, we welcome you to schedule a consultation.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry refers to the use of medications to help patients relax during dental treatment. Sedatives may be given through an IV (intravenous), breathing in nitrous oxide, or taken orally in the form of a pill.
Our Huntington Beach patients are provided oral sedatives as this method avoids the use of needles (for IV sedation) or having to wear an apparatus over the nose (for nitrous oxide).
Oral sedatives can be adjusted to provide more or less sedation depending on the needs of the patient (but not enough to make the patient unconscious). However, it is normal for patients to feel drowsy and those who might drift off to sleep are easily awakened.
How Does Sedation Dentistry Help with Dental Fear?
Sedation dentistry can help those who avoid the dentist due to fear and anxiety get much needed dental care. Oral sedatives require no needles or nasal masks. This makes them less intimidating to patients with anxiety and allows for ease of use.
Sedation dentistry is a simple solution that can have a profound impact on those who have a fear of the dentist. Some of the benefits of sedation dentistry include:
- Reduced anxiety: Oral sedatives help relax patients so they feel less anxious during dental procedures and examinations.
- Improved comfort: Feeling anxious or fearful can cause the body to tense up. Sedation dentistry can help ease these feelings and reduce tension for improved comfort at the dentist.
- Increased calmness: Another benefit of sedation dentistry is giving patients a calm, relaxed feeling throughout their dental treatment.
- Quicker treatment: Sedation dentistry can make it easier for patients to sit still and comply with dental treatments, which can enable dental treatment to be completed faster.
- Building trust: A secondary benefit of sedation dentistry is building patient trust in their dentist and themselves. Sedation dentistry can help patients feel confident that they will be comfortable and relaxed during their dental visits, which can help naturally reduce fear and build trust with each visit.
- Improved oral health: Regular dental exams and seeking treatment for oral problems are essential to maintaining good oral health. Dental anxiety can prevent people seeking much needed dental care. Sedation dentistry can help people overcome their fear of the dentist and enjoy improved oral health.
Is Sedation Dentistry Right for You?
Don’t let fear of going to the dentist keep you from having a healthy smile. Sedation dentistry from Dr. Mortensen helps patients feel relaxed, calm, and comfortable during dental visits. To find out if sedation dentistry is right for you, we welcome you to schedule a consultation with our Huntington Beach office.