A visit to the dentist can make many people a little nervous, but for an unlucky few this anxiety can develop into a life limiting phobia and simply the thought of an appointment can result in sweating, palpitations, shaking, fainting and sickness. It’s no wonder then that some overly anxious patients completely avoid attending dental check-ups, especially if they’ve managed to get by for a number of years without seeing a dentist.
However, prevention is better than cure when it comes to your dental health, and it really is worth attending a short appointment a couple of times a year so we can spot any problems and help you avoid the need for more involved treatment in the future.
If you really do find it difficult coming to see us, we can provide intravenous and gas sedation to help you relax during your appointment, whether you need a general check-up or specific dental treatment. You will still be aware of your surroundings and able to communicate with the dentist – you just won’t feel so worried.
Gas (oral) sedation
This is inhaled through a nose piece to help you feel calmer and more relaxed. It is ideal for patients who need to get on with their day as soon as they leave the practice because the gas rapidly leaves the body. You can even drive yourself home after a short wait of around 10 minutes.
Intravenous (IV) sedation
This calming drug is quickly and comfortably injected into the top of your hand with a very fine needle. You will not fall asleep, in fact you’ll still be able to move around and understand what the dental team are saying, but you will find that time passes quickly and you’ll have little memory of the treatment experience when it’s all over.
The effects of IV sedation are stronger than gas sedation and can last for several hours, so you will need to be accompanied by someone who can take you home. You will probably feel quite drowsy after treatment so you may need to take a nap.
Other ways we help to ease your anxiety
We keep appointments short – though we will never hurry you, we also know you don’t want to be sitting in the dentist’s chair for any longer than necessary!
We try to keep time – it can be really difficult waiting for a dental appointment when you’re feeling nervous, so we can make sure you have the first appointment of the morning or afternoon session. This avoids you having to wait around due to a previous appointment overrunning.
We understand – if it helps then please come and speak to us before your visit, or feel free to give us a call to discuss your concerns. We have extensive experience of treating nervous patients and will always try to help in any way we can.
