Sedation Dentistry So Anxiety Won’t Hurt Your Smile

Going to a doctor or dentist is probably not on the top of your list for fun things to do. Like a lot of things in life, it’s something you just have to do. After all, you benefit in the long run.

But when you have dental anxiety, you can suffer in the short run. Just thinking about getting your teeth cleaned and examined can cause so much concern and worry that you would rather just stay home and skip the dental care you need. That’s a very bad idea, as dental problems almost always get a lot worse.

Call our Burke, VA dental office today at 703-978-5253 to schedule an appointment to include sedation dentistry. Our Burke dentists are highly trained to offer nitrous oxide and more to help you feel safe, relaxed, and comfortable. This way, you can get the dental treatments you need to keep your teeth strong and beautiful.

Why You Might Have Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety isn’t usually this huge panic or anything. Instead, it’s a more subtle problem. Because you get anxious about visiting the dentist, you tend to come up with reasons to skip needed appointments.

There is no one cause of dental anxiety because every person is unique. What bothered one person can do nothing to you. But here are a few common explanations for why you might have dental anxiety.

– You had a bad experience when you were a child

To a kid, any dental office can be intimidating. It’s full of unusual sounds, odd machines, and strangers. Even if you never had a problem, those memories of feeling a bit intimidated are still there. Your childhood memories can impact how you feel today, giving you dental anxiety when you think about going for your twice-yearly visit.

– It’s been too long since your last dental visit

Sometimes, the worst anxiety comes from not knowing. You know you should be seeing our Burke dentists every six months for dental exams and care. So when it’s been too long since your last visit, you can be worried about the kind (and number) of dental problems lurking hidden in your mouth. For some, avoiding it is easier than facing it.

– You’re very used to being active and in charge

When you go to a dentist’s office, you have to sit back and let our Burke dentists do all the work. That can be a very big change for some people. If you’re a parent or other leader, or you’re just used to hard work, you can have some dental anxiety over letting others be in charge of what’s happening to your teeth and gums.

How Sedation Dentistry Can Help

When you have dental anxiety, even the simplest dental treatment can bring on too much worry. That’s where sedation dentistry comes in. Our Burke dentists are well trained to offer several forms of dental sedation to match your anxiety level.

Nitrous Oxide

If you just need a little help moving past dental anxiety, nitrous oxide can be just what you need. Also called “laughing gas,” you breathe it in through a small mask that covers just your nose. One of the best things about nitrous oxide is how it wears off almost as soon as you stop using it. That means you won’t feel numb or overly groggy after your appointment is done.

Oral Sedation

Everyone has different levels of dental anxiety, so there are different levels of sedation dentistry. For a deeper level of sedation, you can try oral sedation. This is a small pill you take before you come to our Burke, VA dental office. You will most likely stay awake the entire time, but you will be in a deeply relaxed state. However, you will need someone to take you to and from our office.

IV Sedation

If your dental anxiety is strong, you need strong sedation dentistry. With this option, a trusted, a local anesthesiologist will come in to administer a strong sedative intravenously. You will likely not remember the treatment, which can really help.

Call us TODAY at 703-978-5253 or use our convenient online form to make your next appointment with our Burke dentists. With the help of sedation dentistry, your dental anxiety won’t be able to hurt your smile any longer.