If you get dental work often enough, chances are you’ve heard of sedation dentistry. In particular, you likely know it can reduce dental anxiety during treatment. That said, were you aware this service has other amazing benefits too? Indeed, it has several perks besides its ability to ease worries. To learn more about them, just listen to your local Asheville dentist! Here, then, is a summary of four terrific advantages of dental sedation.
Pain Relief
Even if you don’t fear the dentist, you might delay care because you think it’ll hurt. After all, no one enjoys a procedure that makes them wince.
Fortunately, dental sedatives can resolve this issue. By helping you relax, they’ll reduce your body’s tension and sensitivity. From there, you’ll face less discomfort during treatment and have a comfortable experience.
In some cases, a dentist can strengthen this pain relief by adding an anesthetic to the mix.
Reduced Gag Reflex
Often enough, a gag reflex is a good thing — it lets your throat expel foreign objects! However, that same reaction can complicate a dental treatment. More specifically, it might keep your dentist from going deep inside your mouth. Even worse, the resulting spasms could cause throat damage.
One good thing about sedation is that it paralyzes your gag reflex. Due to its stress-relieving effect, it minimizes your body’s various responses — including gagging. As a result, this option can keep your throat from interfering with a dentist’s work.
Temporary Amnesia
In general, there aren’t many situations where you’d want to experience amnesia. Even so, this sedation effect comes in handy for various dental procedures.
Firstly, this forgetfulness can make an appointment feel shorter. That’s especially helpful if you plan to have a lengthy, multi-hour treatment. From your perspective, it’ll seem like time flies by!
Temporary amnesia could also prevent a patient from having dental anxiety. It would keep the mind from making new memories, something that stops a phobia from building up.
Fast Recovery
While some medicines have long-lasting side effects, such isn’t the case for dental sedatives. For example, nitrous oxide wears off within minutes once you’ve stopped inhaling it. Meanwhile, IV and oral sedation don’t fade that quickly, but they leave your system within 24 hours. No matter the method you choose, therefore, you’ll feel fine again by the next day.
Ultimately, there are various reasons why you’d like sedation dentistry. That being the case, consult your dentist about it at your next visit!
About the Author
Dr. John White is a dentist in Asheville, NC, having earned his DDS from the University of North Carolina. He’s also the recipient of a Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry, an accomplishment held by less than 1% of U.S. dental providers. Given this background, his specialties are preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, as well as emergency dental procedures. Dr. White currently practices at his self-titled clinic and can be reached at his website or by phone at (828)-684-3020.