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Many patients have a fear of dental procedures or the pain commonly associated with treatment, but avoiding your dentist can have serious ramifications. Your dental health and overall well-being are directly related to how frequently you visit your dentist to get the treatment you need. The key to good oral health is prevention, and unfortunately if you suffer from dental anxiety or fail to visit your dentist because you are afraid a procedure may be painful, your dental health will severely suffer. Talk to your Shelby Township dentist to find out which procedures are offered to prevent painful treatments. Today there are a wide range of new technologies, treatments and techniques that a dentist can administer to eliminate pain and fears that often accompany trips to the dentist. Keep Procedures Painless with Nitrous Oxide Nitrous Oxide Gas is often referred to as laughing gas and is an effective anesthetic that helps ease your pain and anxiety during dental treatments. Used in roughly one-third of dental practices, nitrous oxide is very beneficial for patients during treatment. The gas is administered through a comfortable mask that is placed over your nose. Once it is placed over your nose, you will be instructed to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. This will ensure that you are getting the appropriate amount and that it will work effectively. You will begin to feel a relaxing level of sedation within a short period of time, in addition to the possible numbness of your cheeks and gums. After the nitrous oxide is adjusted to the appropriate dose and you are relaxed and sedated, your dentist will give you an injection if needed to begin the procedure. With minimal side effects, nitrous oxide is an appropriate source of relief for patients with anxieties. It is important to develop a relationship with your dentist through this process in order to ensure proper pain management and comfort. Anesthesia Helps to Avoid Pain Anesthetics are powerful pain-killing medications that not only help you avoid discomfort during a procedure, but post-surgery as well. Depending on your dental treatment, your dentist may use anesthesia to make you as comfortable as possible. Some types of pain-killing medications include:
• Analgesics - Also known as pain relievers, they include common non-narcotic medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin.
• Anesthetics - These can be applied, injected or swallowed. Dentists may often apply topical anesthetics with a cotton swab.
• Sedatives - Medications designed to help a patient relax, sedatives can be a powerful tool in avoiding pain.
You and your dentist can decide on the appropriate level of anesthesia for you. Some patients prefer a higher level than others, such as children, people with special needs and those with dental phobia. The choice of anesthesia used has a lot to do with your individual needs as well as the dental procedure being performed.
Knowledge is Power: Building Respect and trust In order to overcome your fear of various dental procedures, you must gather accurate information about the procedure to judge the truth of your fears. Knowledge can be a very powerful weapon. Your dentist will inform you of the various steps in the procedure you will be undergoing. Communication is key to a relaxed dental health. The first step to overcoming your dental fears should start with good communication between you and your dentist. Whether your procedure is simple or complex, your Rochester dentist will make it a priority of theirs to make your treatment as pain free as possible. Talk to your dentist today to find out the best way for them to provide you with a pain-free dental procedure.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading dentists in Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township areas, Drs. Debra Hibbeln and Mark Kowal. Providing quality dental care in areas such as teeth whitening, dental implants, veneers and braces in Auburn Hills, Drs. Hibbeln and Kowal are the best choice for maintaining oral health.
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