Does the thought of going to the dentist make you feel nervous, anxious or even sick to your stomach? You may have dental phobia, which is a very real condition that affects up to 15% of Americans. It can be more serious than just getting sweaty palms at the thought of your upcoming dental appointment. Dental phobia can be a paralyzing fear of dental treatment or dentists in general. If you have missed routine dental checkups or important dental procedures because of your dental anxiety, there is a solution that will help you get the oral healthcare you need.
Many dentists offer Sedation Dentistry to help patients relax during dental procedures. This is a safe and effective method that can be administered during invasive dental procedures or just simple dental cleanings. Park South Dentistry offers sedation dentistry using Nitrous Oxide, or laughing gas. Patients simply breathe in this pleasantly sweet gas by way of a nosepiece and can comfortably receive their necessary dental treatment without anxiety. The best part about Nitrous Oxide is that once the mask is removed after your dental procedure, the sedation effects immediately go away and you can safely drive home.
It is important to know that children can also safely benefit from Sedation dentistry as well. In fact, it is very common for dental phobia to be passed down from a parent. A recent study published in the International Journal of Pediatric Dentistry discovered that the greater the level of dentist fear or anxiety found in one family member, the higher the level in the rest of the family. This was especially true if the person with a dental phobia is the father. If this is true in your family, make sure to seek out a dentist that offers Sedation Dentistry to accommodate you or your child during essential dental treatments.
