If just thinking about a dental appointment results in overwhelming fear or anxiety, then relax—there is great news for you! Oral sedation allows you to relax both your mind and body so that you can focus on feeling peaceful rather than anxious. The first step for addressing problem is to make sure you communicate your fear and anxiety to your dentist. In addition to a variety of prescription oral sedatives, your dental professional may feel inhalation conscious sedation (nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation) will work best for your specific dental visit.

Being a little nervous prior to a dental appointment is actually quite common. In fact, some studies have shown that up to 75% of all people have these feelings. However, for 10-15% of those surveyed, this nervousness grows into a great deal of fear. Fear so bad that it prevents them from having any dental treatment. As result, these individuals often suffer from unnecessary infections, toothaches, and a poor appearance due to tooth decay.

If you feel this way or know someone who does, there is hope! Your first step is to contact a dental professional who will talk to you about your fears and anxieties before you sit in his/her dental chair. With full knowledge of what will happen ahead of time and a caring professional to partner with, you can have a calm, safe dental experience.