Statistics show that around 36% of the population suffers from dental anxiety. This is a common fear, and about 12% of people have a more extreme form of dental anxiety.
A sedation dentist is a type of dentist who helps with dental anxiety. They are there to give you mild sedation to keep you calm in the dentist’s chair.
Sedation dentistry can be very useful for many people with this kind of fear. Especially if you are going to have a dental procedure or extensive work done.
Keep reading to find out more about finding a sedation dentist for yourself.
Meet Them Face to Face
One of the best ways to pick out a sedation dentist is to meet them face-to-face. It is always a good idea to meet the person who is going to be giving you any kind of medical treatment.
Dental phobia is very common and affects people on different scales. You may consider meeting a sedation dentist just to see if they would be a good fit for you.
During this meeting, you can discuss what your fears are going to the dentist. You can better understand their personality and whether it is a good fit for your personality.
A sedation dentist should not judge you or make you feel like you are being dramatic. They should put you at ease and help you to better understand what they do.
Everyone is different, and you may not mesh well with certain dentists. That is perfectly fine, and they will understand that you have certain preferences.
If you have a lot of concerns or a lot of questions, make sure to bring your questions with you. You can write them down so that you get all of the information you need.
Look Up Their Credentials
Doing your research online is a great way to set your mind at ease. Sedation dentistry is not extremely well known, and you may not understand what it entails.
Researching online is one of the easiest ways to understand what you are going into. Especially if you are in the middle of looking through your options for a sedation dentist.
You should be able to easily find their credentials online with all of their backgrounds. They should include their educational background and expertise.
If their credentials are not easy to find online, that could be a red flag. Any high-quality dental practice is going to make this kind of information easily accessible.
This is also information that you could ask about if you are meeting the dentist face-to-face. Something else to consider is the type of sedation that they use.
Some dentists may prefer certain forms of sedation rather than others. There are different kinds like intravenous sedation, oral conscious sedation, or nitrous oxide.
You may have certain preferences, or you may have questions about these options. The type of sedation will also depend on the procedure and your level of dental anxiety.
Experience In Your Area
Not only do you want a dentist with experience, but you also want them to have experience in your area. This is always very helpful as they will know more about what you struggle with.
It is important to go with a sedation dentist that has plenty of experience. They are going to be highly skilled and will know exactly how to calm your dental anxiety.
Everyone who has a dental phobia is going to be a bit different. You may have a phobia of needles or pain specifically, or you have a general fear of the dentist as a whole.
Whatever causes you stress is going to require a slightly different approach. That is why it can be helpful to choose a dentist that has had patients like yourself.
You may be able to find this information online, especially if this is an area where they have expertise. But you may need to ask them about this in person instead.
It is not necessary that they have experience in your area, but it can be helpful. Especially if you have severe dental anxiety and want someone who is sympathetic in that area.
Any sedation dentist should be highly sympathetic and understanding. They should be able to understand your fears and know how to help you work through them.
Who Needs Sedation Dentistry?
Anyone with stress around going to the dentist could use a sedation dentist. They are there to help you remain calm and at ease during your procedure with different sedation methods.
Most people choose this kind of dentist if they have anxiety when getting procedures done. They may have a general fear of the dentist or fear of the pain or the needles that may be involved.
But there are other reasons why you may want to choose this option. If you have very sensitive teeth or a sensitive gag reflex, you may want some mild sedation options.
You may also struggle to sit in the chair for long periods of time. Those with special needs may want a sedation dentist to help them stay calm and still.
Choosing the Right Sedation Dentist
If you are looking for a sedation dentist, there are some things to look out for. You want to make sure that you choose the best option for what you need.
Do you want to have a sedation dentist at your next dentist appointment? Contact us today at Sweet Tooth Smiles for sedation dentistry that you can trust.
