HINTON, EDSON, JASPER, GRANDE CACHE, ALBERTA – Some people scream when they see spiders, and
others are terrified of heights. But what if your biggest fear was visiting the
dentist?
Just thinking of the scraping and the saliva filling up
your mouth might be enough to send you running from the dentist’s reclining
chair.
Different people feel different levels of anxiety
surrounding dental care. Some people have no fear and actually enjoy getting
their teeth cleaned. Other people may experience anxiety or have trouble
sleeping the night before an appointment, but ultimately they’ll visit the
dentist. The most extreme category of people has a dental phobia that prevents
them from getting the care they need.
Dental phobias and fear of pain may be keeping some of
you from the dental chair, but your oral health is too important to overlook.
Luckily, certain dental offices have an answer for patients with extreme dental
phobias.
Dental care is a little easier to handle with the help of
sedation. We offer patients several sedation options at Foothills Dental,
including intravenous sedation, oral sedation and nitrous oxide gas. Our
dentists will work with you to determine which option is best for the patient
and the procedure.
Sometimes IV sedation is called “sleep dentistry,” though
you will not actually be sleeping. Instead, you’ll be immensely relaxed, but
conscious. With IV sedation, you’ll need assistance to and from our offices,
and you’ll need a friend or family member to supervise you for several hours
afterward. Even hearing the phrase “root canal” can frighten some
hypersensitive people, and if you’re one of them, call our staff to inquire
about sedation options.
Oral sedation can help patients with extreme dental
anxiety. Oral sedation might be best for you if you’re uncomfortable with
needles. We administer oral sedation as a pill that you would take before your
appointment. Oral sedation allows you to slip into a deeply tranquil state
while remaining conscious, similar to IV sedation. Make sure to secure a ride
to and from your appointment.
We also offer the option of nitrous oxide, or laughing
gas. Nitrous oxide is milder than IV and oral sedation, and it’s completely
safe, even for children.
“It has a rapid onset, is reversible, can be adjusted in
various concentrations and is non-allergenic. Your child remains fully
conscious – keeps all natural reflexes – when breathing nitrous oxide/oxygen,”
according to information provided by The American Academy of Pediatric
Dentistry. Talk with your dentist about IV sedation, oral sedation and nitrous
oxide if you or your child feels uneasy about your next dental procedure. Don’t
let your fears of the periodontal scaler keep you from a clean, healthy mouth.