It will probably come as no surprise to anyone that a recent study found that 30% of Americans avoid the dentist due to fear or anxiety. There’s nothing comfortable about a dental visit. It has anxiety similar to receiving vaccinations; no one wants to get them and there’s a chance they will hurt, but we get them anyway because they’re important for our health.
However, several dentists–including your Frisco dentist–do employ the use of sedation dentistry to not only relax patients but to also give them a positive dental experience to cut down on future anxiety.
There are different forms of sedation dentistry. The most common is the IV, but if you’re already squeamish about needles, then you’ll want to ask your dentist if he or she offers other methods. Most people are already familiar with inhalation sedation–also known as laughing gas. Dentists will normally provide an oxygen-like mask that fits over your nose and mouth and releases a small and steady amount of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for you to breathe. Nitrous oxide isn’t necessarily a painkiller, and it won’t put you to sleep, but it will definitely relax you to the point of being at ease sitting in the dental chair.
There are also oral sedation options available, but not every dentist will be able to offer them. Most oral sedations are prescription medicines, and patients usually have to take them before coming into the office. This option is more common with oral surgeons, who will sometimes prescribe Valium to help patients relax before they have their procedures.
So if you suffer from dental phobia or know a dental phobic, look into dentists who practice sedation dentistry. You may have the best dental visit of your life.