Nobody really enjoys going to the dentist, but for some people, the thought of a visit to the dentist causes such intense panic that they resign themselves to avoiding the dentist completely.  If an overwhelming fear has been causing you to put off your next visit to the dentist, then you might want to consider sedation dentistry.

It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of a person’s fear of the dentist, but there are certainly a number of disconcerting factors involved with even a standard cleaning. From bad tastes and smells to the sensation of being poked and prodded in the mouth, the idea of avoiding the dentist altogether is an understandable escape. Some people are just plain afraid of any and all medical procedures, including those that are completely routine. Other people have sensitive teeth and gums, which can make even a regular dental cleaning uncomfortable bordering on painful. There are also those people who have naturally sensitive gag reflexes and tend to feel like they’re choking or can’t breathe as long as their mouths are being worked on.

While there are plenty of reasons to submit to the fear and avoid the dentist, that approach will only cause issues in the long run. A dental cleaning is recommended every six months to maintain proper oral hygiene. The longer you put off going to the dentist, the more tooth-related issues you are bound to have down the road. It’s a good thing that sedation dentistry is becoming increasingly popular – and available – by the day.

The idea behind sedation dentistry is that instead of working to tackle your fear of the dentist, you can simply eliminate it courtesy of a nice dose of your favorite anti-anxiety drug such as Halcion or Valium. When used as prescribed, these medications are quite safe and do not cause any long-term effects.

With sedation dentistry, a pill is taken about an hour or two before the dental appointment so that by the time you’re ready to head out, you’ll be too relaxed – and loopy – to panic your way into canceling. Since this initial dose is likely to cause extreme grogginess, you’ll need to ask a friend or family member to transport you to and from the dentist’s office. Additional anti-anxiety medication may then be administered at the dentist’s office on as-needed basis. Your dentist will make that determination based on a number of factors, including how well the initial dose has kicked in and how long the appointment is expected to take.

During sedation dentistry, the patient retains consciousness throughout the process. Although sedation dentistry is often referred to as sleep dentistry, the patients involved are actually not asleep, but rather in extremely relaxed, sedated states. They are still able to respond to questions and instructions from the dentist, though they have little to no recollection of the procedure once it is over.

Thanks to the wonders of sedation dentistry, many formerly dental phobic patients are now walking around with healthy mouths and clean smiles, and many current patients are slowly coming around to embrace the option of an experience at the dentist’s office that is not only painless, but rather forgettable.

Of course, not everyone is a fan of this latest craze. Some medical professionals are opposed to the idea of sedation dentistry, warning that dentists are too quick to administer drugs and that patients can easily become over-sedated.

Because patients metabolize pills differently, the effects of the initial dosage are not always immediately recognized. When a patient arrives for an appointment, it might appear as though he is not adequately sedated, and the dentist might elect to increase the dosage prior to the procedure. However, some dentists are too quick to make this determination and do not allow enough time for the initial dose to kick in. The result is an over-sedated patient that must be closely watched. However, as part of the sedation dentistry process, a trained professional is always on-hand to monitor the patient’s vital signs throughout the sedation period. For your own comfort, do not be afraid to ask your dentist about his training and experience in sedation dentistry.

Another thing to be aware of is that sleep dentistry can come with a cost. While most dental insurance companies will cover the dental work itself, they can be rather stingy when it comes to the sedation aspect since technically-speaking, it is rarely medically necessary. While most dentists will work with you to keep sedation costs to a minimum, remember that you are not only paying for the drugs themselves, but for the cost of patient monitoring throughout the procedure. However, given the importance of proper dental care and the discomfort that often comes with it, can you really put a price tag on peace of mind?

Maurie Backman is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a dentist or more dental care articles at Yodle Consumer Guide. Sedation Dentistry

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/sedation-dentistry-1154318.html

Regular dental visits vary from visits every three months to once a year depending on your oral health status.  Many individuals only visit the dentist when they experience a problem that is causing them discomfort or is troublesome, but it should be considered that many of these problems could be prevented if the problem was detected at an earlier stage.

Early diagnosis of dental problems:

Going to the dentist for routine check ups and cleanings is one of the most important factors in maintaining good oral health.  Regular dental check ups can prevent cavities, root canals, gum disease, oral cancer, and other dental problems.  Dr. Cheng a Thornhill dentist from Bathurst Centre Dental Care explains, “Prevention is better than cure and rather than waiting for a problem to develop, it is always better to visit a dentist for regular check-ups.”

Prevention and treatment of gum disease (Periodontal disease):

Gum disease is one of the major causes of loss of teeth in adults and has also been linked to heart disease.  If detected in the early stages, gingivitis can be treated and reversed.  If treatment is not performed, a more serious and advanced stage of gum disease, called Periodontitis occurs, which includes loss of bone supporting the teeth.  Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, getting regular dental check ups by a dentist and cleanings are the best prevention against gum disease.

Oral cancer screening:

When you go for your regular dental check up, your dentist in is also checking for any signs of oral cancer.  This is a serious dental disease which pertains to the mouth, lips or throat and is often treatable if detected and treated in the early stages.  Visiting your Richmond Hill dentist for regular check ups and avoiding smoking are key factors in preventing oral cancer.

Dental problems only get worse without treatment:

Following diagnosis and treatment plan by your dentist for dental treatment that you need to have done, you should focus on getting your teeth treated as soon as possible.  “Cavities will continue to get bigger and if they get large enough to reach the nerve of your tooth, your only options will be to have a root canal or have the tooth extracted,” according to Richmond Hill dentist, Dr. Chan.

 Thus, regular dental visits are essential for maintenance of your oral health and general health.  This is through prevention and early treatment of dental problems.

Additional info can be found at: 

http://www.bcdentalcare.ca

Dr. David Cheng, DDS is a popular Dentist Thornhill and Dentist Richmond Hill that performs cosmetic dentistry procedures such as teeth whitening, Invisalign, veneers, dental implants, and mercury-free white fillings. http://www.bcdentalcare.ca

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Going to the dentist isn’t easy for everyone. Some people have dental phobia, others have health issues that make sitting in the chair hard, and some simply don’t want to face the prospect of multiple procedures in one visit. For these people, and others like them, sedation dentistry may be in their best interest. Sedation dentistry uses medication to allow patients to be calm and relaxed during their procedure, no matter what it is, so they may maintain optimum oral health.

Not all dentists perform sedation dentistry. It is a specialization performed by a dentist who takes courses that keep him or her up to date with the different sedatives and procedures that are a part of this field.

Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS)

One group, whose mission is to educate dentists in the field of sedation dentistry, as well as to make sure patients will receive proper dental care, is the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS). There are around 3500 dentists who belong to DOCS across the United States. DOCS classes are taught by medical and dental professionals who have experience and knowledge in sedation techniques. Their always evolving courses have included oral and gaseous sedation, and are now beginning to incorporate IV sedation.

Choosing a dentist who is a member of DOCS means choosing a dentist whose goal is to make sure you are absolutely comfortable so you can receive the care you need. This is performed using a variety of mediations that you and your dentist will discuss prior to your appointment. You can be confident in a DOCS member to make the right decisions since they are up-to-date on all the techniques and advances that are part of this specialization.

Candidates for Sedation Dentistry

Candidates include:

• Patients with “dental phobia” or anxiety
• Patients with chronic pain in their jaw
• Patients who have trouble becoming numb with Novocain
• Patients who need several procedures performed at once
• Patients with a serious gag reflex

Sedation dentistry is for those who will benefit from mild sedatives to get them through an experience that they’d rather avoid. Because DOCS members take their patients health and safety very seriously, and want them to remain at ease throughout their procedure, choosing one can make going to the dentist as easy as any other aspect of your life.

If you are in the New Hampshire area and are in need of a dentist with sedation dentistry, and who is a member of DOCS, please contact Paul Mathew, D.D.S. for a consultation.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/choosing-a-member-of-docs-to-be-your-dentist-956159.html