Having a fear of the dentist is more common than you may think. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that up to a third of adult Americans have some level of dental anxiety.
Oral conscious sedation dentistry opens the door for patients who might otherwise avoid the dentist due to anxiety or stress related to dental treatment. At Highgrove Dental Care, we offer oral conscious sedation to help patients relax and receive the dental care they need to stay healthy.
Dealing With Dental Anxiety
Here are 3 things you should know about oral conscious sedation dentistry:
#1 – You will remain conscious, but totally relaxed. Oral conscious sedation requires the use of prescription medication to help you relax. You will still be able to respond when Dr. O’Neill asks a question, but you will have little to no memory of your procedure. You will need a ride home from your appointment because you may still feel a little groggy after your treatment.
#2 – Oral conscious sedation dentistry is safe for most people. If you are generally healthy and free from serious medical conditions, oral conscious sedation is probably safe for you. We will take a full medical history to make sure this is a good option for you to get the dentistry you need.
#3 – Oral conscious sedation dentistry helps patients who have difficulty getting numb or who suffer from a strong gag reflex. Anxiety can make it more difficult for anesthetic to work well. By addressing your anxiety level with sedation dentistry, you can enjoy the full benefits of dental anesthetic and enjoy a pain-free dental appointment. Additionally, sedation dentistry relaxes you completely – even if you have a gag reflex. This makes treatment possible for patients who have suffered in the past because the gag response made it impossible for work to be completed, especially toward the back of your mouth.
To find out if oral conscious sedation is right for you, contact our St. Paul dental office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Terry O’Neill.