Put Your Fear to Sleep: The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
If you fear visiting the dentist, you’re not alone. In fact, fear of the dentist is so common there’s a word for it, dentophobia. However, just like any preventative medical care, maintaining regular dental cleanings and exams is an essential part of taking care of your teeth and staying healthy all around. So, even if you’re afraid to visit the dentist, you still should.
Thankfully, there’s an entire type of dentistry, called sedation dentistry, devoted to helping people with dentophobia access the dental care they need without the stress and anxiety that visiting the dentist can cause.
3 Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
1. Healthy Teeth and Body
In dental medicine, preventative care is essential to maintaining a healthy mouth, screening for signs of diseases like oral cancer, keeping your natural teeth for as long as possible, and maintaining a healthy body, too.
Without regular care, patients are not only prone to issues like tooth decay and cavities but also periodontal disease. This bacterial infection of the gums develops when plaque and tartar accumulate along the gum line, creating pockets between the teeth and gums where bacteria thrive. Periodontal disease causes local symptoms like bleeding, sensitivity, and bone loss (in severe cases). The bacteria can also enter the bloodstream, leading to systemic health problems.
2. Finally, Relax in the Dental Chair
Sedation dentistry will allow you to finally let go of your dental-related anxiety and relax on your way to the dentist and while you’re in the dental chair. This will allow you to access the dental care you need without losing any sleep.
3. Choose the Care That’s Right for You
Sedation dentistry uses different levels of sedation (minimal sedation, moderate sedation, deep sedation, and full sedation with general anesthesia) to help patients with dentophobia relax before, during, and after their dental visits. Our dentist can help you determine which type of sedation is right for you based on your level of anxiety and the length or type of dental appointment.
Learn More about Sedation Dentistry in La Mesa
At Cardinal Dental, we provide a variety of levels of sedation dentistry and sedation dentistry services designed to meet each of our patient’s needs and help everyone access the dental care they need to stay healthy — without the stress. To learn more about sedation dentistry and our sedation dentistry services, we welcome you to contact Cardinal Dental or schedule an appointment with Dr. Paul Michels.
