Going to the dentist is an essential part of your oral health. Many people have fears of going to the dentist and so they avoid taking care of problems. This is a massive mistake and can create problems in the long run. Luckily, there are things that the dentist can do to help you feel more comfortable. Here are some tips.
1. Nitrous Oxide
It used to be pretty standard to give people nitrous oxide when they went into the dentist, but now it is an optional gas. Most insurance providers won't pay for the gas, so you will have to pay out of pocket, but it is a very affordable charge, especially if you feel nervous about the dentist.
Nitrous oxide helps to take the edge off and calm your nerves. It won't necessarily take away the pain but it will help to make you feel relaxed so that you are not so anxious about the dental work.
The great thing about nitrous oxide is that it will start to work immediately and it will get out of your system immediately. Once the dentist turns off the gas, you should be ready to go in just a couple minutes. You can drive and resume normal activities because there are no lasting effects.
2. Valium
Another option is to get a Valium. Valium is great because it immediately helps to calm your nerves. Once again, it won't take away the pain, but it can help you to feel calm, maybe even sleepy. While on the Valium the dentist can give you a local shot that will help to numb the area so you won't feel any pain while they fix the problem areas.
It should be noted that for some people Valium takes immediate effect, but for others it can take a couple of hours to work. Thus, if you know you are getting dental work done you may want to get the Valium before and take it a couple hours prior to your appointment. This will ensure that it has helped to calm you before the appointment.
3. Sedation Dentistry
If none of these options work you can always get sedation dentistry. This is when the dentist will put you under for a short amount of time and get everything done. It is not like general anesthesia where you come out very groggy, you will simply feel like you took a light nap.
The important thing is to make sure that you take care of a dental problem right away and not to avoid it because of discomfort. If that is your reason for avoiding the dentist, talk to your provider right away about things you can do to become more comfortable. For more information, visit websites like http://www.apollodentalcenter.com.
Share20 October 2016
Halloween is a holiday that my children love, and telling them they can't go door-to-door collecting candy would break their hearts. This led me to allowing them to collect candy on the holiday, then rationing it out to them every day instead of letting them gobble it up in just a few days. I always thought this was better for them, but my dentist told me this could be the reason why their February dental check-ups were always their worst ones. Daily candy consumption was taking a toll on their teeth. I started a new tradition of letting them indulge for two days, then giving them the option to swap the rest with me in exchange for a new toy. They never pass on the opportunity for a new toy. I created this blog to encourage other parents find similar tactics to keep their children's teeth healthy after Halloween.