We understand that patients may not always be excited about their upcoming trip to the dentist. Some patients suffer from dental anxiety or a fear of the dentist, making it extremely stressful for them to visit a dental office.
When you visit Columbia Family Dentist in Columbia, Maryland, you can rest easy knowing that you will receive compassionate general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry solutions all under one roof. Our doctors and our team are here to help you through whatever stage of your dental healthcare that you are in. Whether this will be your first dentist appointment at our office or your first dentist appointment of your lifetime, we are here to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
The Importance of Good Oral Hygiene
Even if you are worried about going to the dentist, you must see a professional regarding your dental health at least twice a year. Your mouth is constantly filled with bacteria, making it the perfect place for decay and infections. Scheduling regular dental cleanings can help you keep your teeth’ surfaces clear of plaque.
If plaque stays on your teeth for too long, it hardens into tartar which can only be professionally removed by a dentist. Additionally, tartar buildup causes gum disease if left untreated. Like most dental concerns, gum disease progresses and causes more damage if a dentist is not seen promptly.
Don’t procrastinate on seeking dental care if you are afraid of going to the dentist. Our Columbia Family Dentist office provides sedation dentistry solutions to help keep you relaxed and comfortable.
Sedation Dentistry In Columbia, MD
We use sedation dentistry practices in collaboration with most of our other dental services. This means that whether you are coming to see us for a simple general dentistry cleaning or require a more invasive procedure like a dental implant, we have sedative solutions to keep you calm and comfortable throughout the entirety of your appointment.
Sedation dentistry can include the following treatments:
- “Laughing Gas”: Laughing gas is a common treatment term involving the patient breathing in nitrous oxide. You inhale this gas through a mask to keep you calm throughout your procedure. You will remain alert through the procedure, though you may feel like you are in a dream-like state. A few minutes after removing the mask, you will return to your normal self.
- Oral sedation dentistry: We prescribe oral sedatives to patients who feel especially nervous about their procedures. You can take anti-anxiety medications right before your appointment to ensure you are comfortable when your scheduled procedure begins.
- Anesthesia: For our most invasive procedures, like oral surgery, we can use a local anesthetic to keep you asleep during treatment. This allows you to feel no pain or discomfort throughout the procedure while letting our doctors treat you more efficiently.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Will I feel any pain with dental sedation?
While under dental sedation, patients should not report feeling any pain. The goal of sedation is to make patients comfortable with their dental work. Dentists typically combine sedation with anesthetic to ensure that patients are not in pain or uncomfortable throughout their dental procedure. Depending on the procedure, patients may feel some pain and swelling once the sedation has begun to wear off.
What does dental sedation feel like?
Dental sedation can provide a calm, tired, tingling feeling throughout the body. The time frame for sedation depends on the type of sedation you use. There are also varying effects due to the strength of each sedation option.
Should I get sedation for tooth extraction?
Many dentists recommend that patients get sedation for tooth extraction. This ensures they are not squeamish, uncomfortable, and in pain throughout the procedure. Once sedated, patients typically will not remember any of the operations. We don’t require sedation for tooth extraction. However, we highly recommend it.
Schedule A Dental Exam & Consultation
We look forward to helping you achieve a radiant, healthy smile. Schedule an appointment with our team today or contact us at 410-670-8211.