The Dental Office Can Be Your Happy Place: Sedation Options That Work

Posted on: 15 January 2015

If you know you need to have some dental work done, but the thought of going to the dentist makes your heart skip a beat, pain and stress free dentistry is available. There are many dentists that are willing to make your appointment as comfortable as possible with the help of sedation options.

The type of sedation that will be best for you depends on how anxious you are to have the work done, and what type of services you need completed. Ask your dentist about the following options.

Oral Sedatives

If you are going to be having a cavity filled, your teeth cleaned, or a simple, short procedure performed, oral sedatives are a great option. You can take these at home the morning of the appointment, and then you will be relaxed before you even get to the office. You will want to have someone to drive you and pick you up.

General Anesthetic

If you need to have a lot of different procedures completed at the same time, or if you are so scared you don't think that you can sit in the dental chair while you're awake, going under anesthesia may be the best choice for you.

The dentist will hook an IV that releases the drug into your blood stream, to keep you sedated and comfortable throughout the procedure. This is an outpatient option you want to consider if it will get you the treatment that you need.

Nitrous Oxide

Many people don't like the thought of taking a sedative and possibly feeling the side effects for hours after the pill has been consumed. Nitrous oxide will be inhaled through a mask in the dentist's office, and the dentist can give you more if it's needed throughout the procedure for immediate results. This will give you a euphoric and relaxed feeling to relieve your nerves and worries.

These options have all been approved by the American Dental Association as safe sedation options. Don't hesitate to use any of these so you can go to the dentist and get the work completed you need to have a healthy smile. You don't want to miss out on protecting your teeth because you don't like the thought of the instruments that the dentist will use, or if you don't like the thought of having someone in your mouth. Talk with your dentist and make a plan for your next appointment.

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