If you’re nervous about having dental work performed, you’re not alone. This dental fear or anxiety may not seem like that big of a problem at first, but when it prevents you from getting the routine attention healthy smiles require, dental fear can turn into a significant issue that affects your overall health. Fortunately, your sedation dentist in Jacksonville is here to help.
Larger Effects of Dental Fear/Anxiety
People who deal with significant fear of the dentist’s office are often less likely to schedule a checkup and cleaning every six months. Unfortunately, waiting until you know there is a problem to visit the dentist results in the need for more costly and complex care. Visiting the dentist regularly is really the best way to ensure you never have to sit in the chair for a longer procedure — like a root canal or extraction. Ignoring the need for preventive care can also take a toll on your overall wellbeing. Gum disease, for example, has been linked to a number of larger health conditions. People who have untreated gum disease are at a higher risk of heart disease, respiratory issues, diabetes, and even certain types of cancer. Tooth loss is also common in people who ignore the presence of gum disease.Overcoming Your Fear
There is good news in all of this. You can get past your fear or anxiety by visiting a sedation dentist in Jacksonville! Oral conscious and IV sedation are safe and highly effective options that can help you relax throughout any procedure. The one that is right for you depends on the level of your fear on the day of your appointment and the treatment that is being performed. Here’s how they work.- Oral conscious sedation: You take a prescribed medication about an hour before your procedure. Its effects have taken over by the time you are settling into the dental chair. You are still conscious and able to answer your dentist’s questions, but you are removed from worry about what’s going on around you.
- IV sedation: The medication is administered directly into the bloodstream, for a slightly deeper sedative effect. The amount can be carefully monitored and adjusted as needed throughout the treatment.