Even the thought of visiting the dentist can be daunting to some. Do you tend to avoid required procedures such as root canals because of how it will turn out? Quite a lot of people share this perspective.
Dental phobia is a rather depressive illness and is common among many Australians.
But hey, do not scare yourself all that much or postpone your visits to the dental office for so long. Sedation Dentistry enables you to have the required procedure without experiencing all that stress.
In this blog, we will explain what dental anxiety is and how sedation dentistry can change the way you go about visiting the dental office. If you are one of those who have avoided a dentist for a number of years, then perhaps you are an ideal candidate for sedation dentistry.
What is dental anxiety?
Dental anxiety is a form of fear or discomfort. This condition could prevent you from visiting a Family Dentist in Warriewood. People experiencing dental anxiety might experience various feelings– from the most basic emotional discomfort to even the inability to receive any form of dental treatment at all.
Dental anxiety can trigger certain physiological responses–like sweating, a quickened heart rate or panic– for some individuals.
This anxiety could be a consequence of a past ordeal for some people during dental checkups and cleaning. In others, it might be the anticipation of pain, the feeling of being embarrassed of one’s teeth or even the dislike of having no control during a process.
How Prevalent is Dental Anxiety in Australia?
Various studies suggest that about one in six adults in Australia has high levels of dental fear, while 1 in 10 people avoids dentists entirely for this reason. This indicates that a good number of people are avoiding a dental treatment, which is necessary.
Signs and Symptoms of Dental Anxiety
The signs may differ for each individual, but some of the most common ones include:
- Restlessness on the night before the dentist’s scheduled appointment.
- Feeling nauseous just at the thought of stepping into a dental office.
- Severe anxiety in the dentist’s waiting area.
- Outbursts of anxiety during the treatment process.
- A drastic avoidance of seeking out help from the dentist for sometimes as long as several years at a stretch.
Knowing what symptoms are related to dental anxiety is the first course of action in overcoming it. The interesting part is this condition can be easily managed using certain medications. This is where the benefits of sedation dentistry become clearly evident.
Sedation Dentistry: Understanding The Concept
When you visit a dental office for a procedure, you’re given certain sedatives. That’s what sedation dentistry is. These sedatives induce a state of calmness. It is given to the patient who’s suffering from dental anxiety for a more pleasant experience when essential dental treatments are performed by a Dentist Northern Beaches. Most of the patients are conscious but in a relaxed state that reduces the tension during dental work.
The level of sedation that is administered will determine how alert you still remain. For example, a mild sedative could be used for some routine dental treatments, such as dental checkups and cleaning. You would probably become drowsy, relaxed, or doze off a little.
The idea is to take a step towards the removal of all the fears associated with dental practices so that you will be able to get the appropriate treatment at a Northern Beaches Dental clinic.
Types of Sedation Available
There are different kinds of sedation dentistry. Let’s explain these options in detail:
Nitrous Oxide
The simplest and mildest form of sedation happens to be Nitrous Oxide or laughing gas. It is delivered by means of a small mask that sits over the nose and within a very short time.
A patient may feel quite relaxed. In most cases, after getting the treatment at Northern Beaches Dental Clinic, you will be able to drive yourself home.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is simply swallowing a pill before reporting for your dentist appointment. You will be relaxed and a bit sleepy but not in a deep slumber. The depth of sedation is governed by the amount of medication recommended by your Narrabeen dentist. It will be essential for a person to drive you home since you will likely be sleepy after the procedure.
Intravenous Sedation Dentistry
For those with greater anxiety or for special long procedures, intravenous sedation may be encouraged. They normally make you more relaxed, and most patients tend to forget most of the procedure.
Because of the stronger effects, you’ll need a companion to assist you with transportation. Typically, your Northern Beaches Dentist would recommend this procedure when you need to undergo dental implant procedures or complex dental surgeries.
General Anesthesia
In some extreme situations, your dentist might resort to general anaesthesia, whereby no self-consciousness is experienced.
Most times, it is used by a Dentist Northern Beaches only for extremely difficult procedures or patients with a lot of fear. This sedation can only be administered by an anesthesiologist.
Is sedation dentistry safe to perform?
One frequent question that patients ask when discussing sedation dentistry is its safety. Fortunately, sedation dentistry is very safe, provided a qualified individual healthcare professional use proper techniques.
Prior to doing any sedation, your Family Dentist in Warriewood will get into a discussion about all the details, such as the medications you are on, your overall health conditions, etc., to ensure safety. They will also keep track of the critical functions like heartbeat and oxygen levels during the entire process.
Conclusion
Dental anxiety is common among people. However, it can be dealt with. But if you dread visiting the dentist, the practice of sedation dentistry is available to help calm you down. Different techniques or systems of sedation are available to fit one’s requirements.
Oral health is of utmost importance and should be taken seriously. Ultimately, dental appointments should not be put off. Call a Narrabeen dentist and find out more about taking a dental sedation. Thanks to this intervention, you are able to go to the dental treatment with less psychological discomfort.
