A visit to the dentist should no longer bring about feelings of anxiety or even a desire to avoid the experience completely. Modern dentistry offers many ways to alleviate most fear or anxiety. Preventive visits, relaxation techniques, improved anesthetics, nitrous oxide, and premedication are comfortable reasons not to avoid seeing the dentist on a regular basis.
Many people avoid the dentist completely, or only seek care in emergency situations. As the old saying goes, in dentistry an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Routine, ongoing preventive dental care is a key factor in securing good dental health for a lifetime. Prevention of problems before they arise, and fixing problems before they become more severe saves you from possible discomfort and saves you money. For example, a small cavity is much more easily taken care of than a cavity that becomes very large, necessitating root canal treatment or even extraction of the tooth.
Many dental offices offer music, TV’s and movies to entertain you during your treatment. Focusing on inhaling and exhaling, especially during the beginning of treatment is an effective relaxation technique for some patients.
Modern dental anesthetics are very effective at eliminating discomfort that can be associated with dental procedures. This also includes the flavored topical anesthetic that is placed on the gums before the local anesthetic is given. Some anesthetics are very long acting, providing comfort long after a lengthy procedure is over. In many treatment situations you now also have the choice of having just your tooth put to sleep or the whole area of your mouth put to sleep. Topical anesthetic can even be used on the gums during routine cleanings, providing comfort for sensitive gums.
Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas”, is very easily administered in the dental office, and it has a calming or comforting effect, even though the patient remains in control.
Nitrous oxide takes effect quickly and leaves the body quickly, so some experts have called it the “ideal anesthetic”. Even though you are sedated, you will be awake, in control, and able to communicate. Everyone responds differently, so the dosage can be quickly and easily adjusted for each individual patient. You are able to drive yourself to and from your dental appointment if you use nitrous oxide.
For more anxious patients, or those who are undergoing more involved procedures, “premedication”, or sedative medication taken before an appointment, can provide relief from anxiety during the procedure. Valium, or valerian (a natural herbal sedative) can be taken under dentist supervision before a procedure to reduce anxiety. Premedication requires someone to drive you to and from your appointment.
Modern, comfortable dentistry can keep you smiling for a lifetime!
