Here’s a quick quiz for you.
- Should you go to the dentist for routine cleanings and care?
- Do you go to the dentist for routine cleanings and care?
- If you answered “No” to question 2, is it because you are afraid of the dentist?
We know that you are smart enough to figure out the answers on your own. In today’s post, we want to address those patients who avoid the dentist due to dental anxiety or dental fear.
At Beaumont Family Dentistry, we have incorporated comfort options into our practice to help our patients remain calm throughout their care. This includes three forms of sedation dentistry, which are available at all of our Lexington area dentist offices.
We believe this is part of the reason people come from as far as Richmond to receive care from our dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants.
Here’s What You Already Know
You should visit the dentist a couple times each year for a professional cleaning and an examination. This is the least you should be doing for your oral health, just like you should be going to the doctor for routine check-ups for your overall health.
We aren’t saying this to be critical. We are just saying what we believe is true for all our patients.
When patients come to our office, we check for any changes to their teeth. Have your teeth shifted in any way? Has your bite changed? Do you have signs of tooth decay? Do we see signs that you may be grinding your teeth?
We also examine your gums for signs of gum disease, which 80 percent of Americans will have, according to the American Dental Hygienists Association.
Our hope is to help you prevent oral health problems. This includes patient education and treatment if we do see signs that a problem could be developing.
Here’s What You May Not Know About Us
Your oral health and your comfort are both priorities for our entire staff.
From the moment you walk into our office, we want you to feel like you are in a place where people care about you and your needs.
This starts with coffee, hot tea, and fresh-baked cookies in our reception area. You can also watch television while you wait for your appointment.
When you get back to the appointment room, you will rest on Tempur-Pedic padded dental chairs. We can even get you a blanket and a pillow to help you feel as comfortable as possible.
We will give you safety glasses to protect your eyes, and we can give you headphones so you can listen to something to take your mind off your treatment.
If your lips feel dry, we have lip balm available. You can relax with a paraffin hand wax dip or a professional hand and arm massage during your procedure, too.
Just as important, we use state-of-the-art technology to reduce or eliminate any pain you might feel, and this includes our three types of sedation dentistry.
When your procedure is complete, we will even offer you a warm towel.
Why We Offer Sedation
Our comfort options are intended to make dental visits a pleasant experience for all our patients. Yet, we know they may not help as much for patients who are anxious about coming to the dentist in the first place.
For patients who need some help once they sit down for a cleaning, we offer nitrous oxide. You may know this as laughing gas.
You will breathe it in, and within minutes, you’ll have a euphoric sensation that helps you remain relaxed and calm throughout your treatment. Nitrous oxide also has an anesthetic effect, so you won’t have to worry about feeling any pain.
When you are finished, we turn off the gas, and you will be back to feeling like yourself in no time.
Some people would prefer to have no memory of their dental care. This is where oral conscious sedation and IV sedation can help.
With oral conscious sedation, you take a pill before your treatment begins. This may leave you feeling drowsy well before, during, and after your treatment.
IV sedation is the strongest form of sedation, and it can only be administered by a licensed professional. We have one such professional, Dr. Ryan Golibersuch, on our staff.
With either of these sedation options, you won’t have any memory of your treatment although you will get all the same benefits. The effects are stronger, too, so you must have a family member or friend drive you home, where you may want to take a nap.
We Welcome Your Questions
We know you may have more questions about sedation dentistry. We invite you to stop or call any of our dentist offices in Lexington.
We want to help you get the dental care that you need and deserve. When you are ready, use our online form to schedule an appointment at the office closest to you.