If you had an appointment to see the dentist tomorrow, how would you feel?
Would you feel relaxed, anxious, or frightened?
If you picked one of the last two options, this blog post is for you. We are going to explain sedation dentistry and how it can help you relax so you can receive the dental care that you need.
At Bayou Dental Care, we understand that it’s difficult for some people to call our dentist office in Monroe, LA, for an appointment, much less to sit down in a chair for a cleaning or other procedure.
We also know that routine treatment is necessary for you to have healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime.
We Are On Your Side
Millions of Americans experience some level of dental fear or dental anxiety. We see some of them every day in our office.
We also want you to know you are the person who is in control when you come to our office. If you need to take a break halfway through a cleaning, let us know. This could be just what you need to make to the end.
We also won’t do anything to surprise you. Before we start any treatment, we will explain what needs to be done, so you can prepare yourself for what is coming next.
So you know that you are not alone, you may want to check out the website Dental Fear Central. This is a website create for people with dental anxiety by people who share that same anxiety.
The website identifies three ways to help address your fears.
The first way is psychological. If you understand what causes your fear, you can share that with us. This will help us provide your treatment that you can handle.
The second way is through technology. We try to stay on the cutting-edge of technology in our practice. We have laser treatments (which allow us to provide pain-free treatment of gum disease), and we can use intraoral cameras to find problems much earlier than ever before.
The third way is with sedation, which we’ll explain in more detail below.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is sometimes called “sleep dentistry.” The truth is you are still awake, but the sedation leaves you in a relaxed state.
This means you can respond to directions from the dentist or the dental hygienist (such as “Turn your head, please” or “Open your mouth a little wider”). At the same time, you may not remember anything about your treatment.
This could be the key that helps you come to our office and receive the basic, routine care you need.
This also could save you from having no choice except to come to the dentist because of a serious problem down the road.
Oral Conscious Sedation
There are a few types of sedation, but we use oral conscious sedation at our office for patients with dental anxiety. It’s important to note that you should have someone else bring you to your appointment and take you home if you do receive oral conscious sedation.
You will take a pill before your procedure begins. As it takes effect, you will feel relaxed, and it will help you remain calm during your treatment.
After you sit down, we can do basic cleanings, examinations, and other, more complicated treatments. When you are finished, your family member or friend can take you home so you can rest until the sedation wears off.
When you wake up, you’ll feel refreshed, and you’ll know that you received the dental care that you needed.
Dental Questionnaire
If you know that you have dental anxiety, you may benefit from filling out the questionnaire created by Dr. Norman Corah. You can find it by clicking here.
The questionnaire includes questions like the one at the start of this blog to help you know if you have moderate, high, or severe dental anxiety.
The second page can help you identify what specific things cause your anxiety. Some people are worried about the drill. Other people are worried about needles, and others are worried about gagging.
This questionnaire is a tool to help you know what causes your fears. When you know, you can share that with us when you make your appointment.
Call Us, We Can Help
At Bayou Dental Care in Monroe, LA, we know your dental anxiety is not going to go away overnight. We will be by your side, one step at a time.
If you have any questions, please call our office at 318-323-9303 or contact us with our online form.