Sedation dentistry refers to the use of medication to induce sleep or a state of relaxation during a dental procedure. There are many forms of sedation dentistry, all designed to lower your sensitivity and increase your pain threshold so you can receive treatment. By doing so, Miami Gables Sedation Dentistry helps make the process easier and more comfortable for you. It also creates smooth sailing for your dental care provider who does not have to keep stopping during the treatment. But, like most treatments, sedation dentistry is only ideal under certain circumstances. Dentists often turn to it as a solution for the following dentistry pitfalls.
Dentistry Anxiety
Alongside painful procedures, anxiety or fear of dentistry is the primary reason sedation dentistry exists. Some people have an often-irrational fear of dentistry so severe that they get panic attacks the moment they enter a dentist’s office. The fear may stem from learned behavior or a past traumatic event. Either way, it can be so severe as to discourage you from going to the dentist at all, even when you really need to. Your dentist can help by putting you under so that you relax during the procedure.
Difficulty Sitting Still
This condition is more common in younger children. Whether due to age, fear, or conditions like ADHD, some children cannot sit still in the dentist’s chair for any amount of time. Some parents fix this by holding their children in their laps during the procedure to keep them still. However, when fidgeting becomes excessive, your dentist may turn to mild sedation to help your child relax.
Sensitive Gag Reflex
The gag reflex is a natural and evolutionary instinct that keeps you from swallowing foreign objects and choking. But while everyone has it, it is stronger in some people. A sensitive gag reflex can make vomiting an ever-present possibility, even when foreign objects barely touch your tongue. This can make dental procedures and exams nearly impossible, necessitating sedation.
Low Pain Threshold
Some people have highly sensitive gums and teeth, even more than others. This issue can often be genetic, caused by age, or a sign of gum disease, tooth decay, or an underlying condition like diabetes. Whatever the cause, highly sensitive gums, and teeth can significantly lower your pain threshold. They can make even the most routine procedures excruciatingly painful. Your dentist may then turn to sedation to help keep you comfortable and enable them to complete the required treatment.
Multiple Procedures
Some patients require extensive dental work or multiple procedures to clear an infection or fix their smile. Scheduling these appointments as individual treatments can take a long time, especially accounting for recovery time. As such, many dental care providers prefer to combine related procedures. This means that you may be sitting in the dentist’s chair for hours. And because this can get painful or uncomfortable, your dentist may recommend sedation to improve your tolerance.
Is Sedation Dentistry Ideal for You?
Sedation dentistry can come in handy when going to the dentist’s office makes you extremely nervous or when you need extensive work done. But the option is not always ideal, especially not for every patient. Before you opt to get sedated for your cleaning, you should discuss your fears with your dentist. You should also review your medical history and current medications to help them assess your risk. If they give the go-ahead, you can relax and wait to not feel a thing as your dentist works on your teeth. Call their office today to set up your consultation.
