Scared of the Dentist? 5 Reasons Sedation Dentistry May Be Right for You

A lot of things in life get more manageable if you stay up with the required maintenance. That includes your car and your house. It also includes your body, and specifically your teeth. 

At Miracle Smile Dental, Nisha Modi, DMD, specializes in preventative dentistry. She tailors this care to help you avoid major oral health headaches. By catching tooth decay early, for example, you can get a simple filling instead of a root canal. You can avoid most major dental problems by getting regular preventive care at our office in Aubrey, Texas. 

Don’t let fear of the dentist keep you from seeing us. Consider sedation dentistry if you feel anxious or fearful when thinking of sitting in the dentist’s chair.

When sedation dentistry may be best for you

If you avoid the dentist out of fear, you’re not alone. In fact, this is so common that it has a medical name: dentophobia. A recent survey given by the Journal of the American Dental Association found that more than 72% were afraid of the dentist.  

That’s why dentists have options like sedation dentistry. Choices like laughing gas can turn appointments from stress-inducers to a blip on your radar. 

Here are a few signs you should talk to our team about sedation dentistry: 

#1: You do not have a check-up with the dentist every six months

Visiting us biannually means we catch problems when they’re still small. We can spot the early signs of gum disease, helping you reverse it before you need an involved treatment. And we catch tooth decay before it can progress and compromise the tooth. 

If fear is keeping you from seeing us twice a year, talk to us about sedation dentistry. 

#2: You are avoiding treatment you need

Maybe you’re living with a toothache or irritated gums. Maybe you’ve been told you need a filling or root canal and you’re putting it off.

No matter the case, the problem only grows with time. With sedation dentistry, you can put it behind you and feel comfortable. 

#3: You have had a bad experience at the dentist

If your dentophobia comes from a bad experience, we can help you rewire your brain. With a few sedation dentistry appointments, your body and mind start to understand that going to the dentist doesn’t have to be stress-inducing. 

#4: Your mouth is sensitive

Maybe you avoid the dentist because you’ve found teeth cleaning painful. Or maybe the local anesthetic doesn’t work well for you, and you need a lot of it. No matter what, sedation dentistry can help to eliminate pain from the equation. 

#5: You have a strong gag reflex

Do you find yourself gagging while your dental care team works? A light level of sedation can calm that gag reflex, making the process quicker and easier for everyone — especially you. 

Finding the right option to support regular dental care

Dr. Modi and our team work with you to ease your concerns about seeing our team. That might mean using sedation dentistry for a few appointments, then tapering off as your familiarity with our team grows. 

We can also deploy any tactics that help you feel more comfortable. Some patients like us to explain what we’re doing in detail before we get started. 

Let us know what you need to feel as comfortable as you can. We’re here to partner with you. Our goal is to make it manageable for you to see us every six months so we can provide preventive dental care. This way, we tackle small hiccups together before they turn into a big oral health nightmare for you. 

At your next visit, talk with us if you’d like to explore sedation dentistry. Use our convenient online tool or call us at 469-765-3567 to book your appointment today.