Sedation Dentistry - Tacoma
If you’re one of the millions of Americans who fear going to the dentist, sedation dentistry may be for you. Sedation dentistry is a way to keep you comfortable so that they can perform dental procedures while keeping your body relaxed and pain-free.
If you have fears surrounding your visit to 32 Pearls, please let us know. We understand dental phobias and have solutions. It’s so important to care for your teeth and visit the dentist regularly. You don’t want fear to get in the way of good health.
We help many patients who have anxiety over dental procedures, and we have the best tools to help. Call (253) 564-7911.
According to some estimates, dental phobia is an anxiety disorder that affects about 20% of adults in this country. That’s a lot of people experiencing unnecessary pain and suffering because they are too afraid to get their teeth cleaned or get cavities filled—and these conditions often lead to more serious issues if left untreated.
Dentophobia is more than being a little nervous.
Dentophobia isn’t just about feeling tense or nervous when visiting the dentist; it’s a form of anxiety that causes physical symptoms such as nausea, sweating, and difficulty breathing at the thought of going in for oral treatment.
Dentophobia is a form of anxiety disorder. Many people avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear. People with dentophobia often have more serious problems in their mouths, including tooth decay and gum disease, than people without it because they’re too afraid to go to the dentist when needed.
You don’t have to be afraid of the dentist, but if you are, 32 Pearls has team members that can help you. We want you to get the dental assistance you need to feel better. Tell anyone in the office if you are afraid or are experiencing anxiety, and we will offer solutions. We take anxiety seriously, and it’s why sedation dentistry was established.
Symptoms and reasons for dentophobia.
People have dentophobia for many reasons, such as bad (past) experiences at the dentist’s office or childhood abuse. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, gagging, trembling, sweating, and heart palpitations. These symptoms can make getting dental care very difficult.
Dentophobia doesn not mean you have a mental illness.
Dental phobia isn’t considered a mental illness because it isn’t irrational—it’s reasonable to feel scared when faced with something painful like dental procedures! However, there are ways that you can get past this fear so that it doesn’t hinder your ability to take care of yourself properly at home or visit the dentist regularly without feeling stressed out beforehand.
We do offer medications at the office to ease your anxiety. We also recommend natural, breathing exercieses to help with your fears. You can practice breathing techniques at home, before the days leading up to your procedure. See our blog: 5 Ways to Overcome your Anxiety When Going to the Dentist.
People with mild dental anxiety may benefit from distraction techniques such as listening to music through headphones or watching TV during the procedure. The dentist may also give you a hand signal so you can pause the treatment if you’re uncomfortable at any time. Other relaxation techniques include deep breathing or guided imagery.
How sedation dentistry helps with dentophobia.
Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. Patients are awake and can respond to requests from their dentists. However, they often don’t remember the details of their procedures because the drugs cause short-term memory loss.
The most common sedatives are nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and intravenous conscious sedation (IV). The type of drug used depends on several factors, including your age and medical conditions. Nitrous oxide is used for children and young adults who need basic dental care; it also works well for older adults who have difficulty holding still or sitting upright for long periods. Oral conscious sedation may be recommended for patients who cannot tolerate IV medications but still want some relief from pain during certain procedures such as fillings or extractions.
For people with moderate anxiety — those who can put off dental appointments until there is an absolute need for them — sedation may be appropriate.
Sedation dentistry is a great option for patients who are particularly nervous about dental procedures, as well as people with symptoms of anxiety. Sedation is administered through an intravenous sedation technique using an oral medication called Versed (midazolam), which is often given along with nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Both drugs are safe when used in controlled environments such as our office.
Once you arrive at our office, a staff member will monitor you throughout your treatment process. We think of it as having your own personal guardian standing with you during your procedure. You may need someone to take you home afterward, depending on the procedure and sedating medicines. We’ll let you know that’s needed before the day of your treatment.
In addition to the interventions mentioned above, sedation dentistry may be a great option if you suffer from severe anxiety. This type of dental treatment has been proven effective at calming patients down so they can receive needed dental care without being uncomfortable or frightened. With sedation dentistry options available, there is no reason why anyone should ever have to suffer through an appointment with their local dentist again!
Tell the staff at 32 Pearls if you have generalized anxiety disorder, have a fear of the dentist, or have anxiety about your procedure. We are happy to talk to you and together, we will find a way to make your visit more comfortable.
Call 32 Pearls for more information about sedation dentistry in Tacoma. (253) 564-7911