Protect your oral health with sedation dentistry treatments in Weybridge

Feelings of apprehension about dental visits or dental work are relatively common amongst children, teenagers and adults. However, for some people, the apprehension is so strong that it can be called dental fear and in the most severe cases, dental phobia. If the apprehension is so strong that it makes patients evade dental visits altogether, the results can be devastating.

When a patient avoids regular dental care and necessary treatment, they can develop various problems with their teeth which initially go unnoticed and will invariably worsen. This begins a vicious cycle of fear preventing timely care, which results in deteriorating oral conditions. By the time the pain finally arrives, extensive work and serious procedures with the dentist are usually needed. This reinforces the fear even further, making the patient go back to avoiding dental care.

Lack of appropriate dental care is always going to have significant repercussions. Bad breath and stained teeth will get worse as time passes. Tooth decay and abscesses are serious, and will grow larger if left untreated. The problems inherent with overcrowded teeth will be exacerbated with time. The most serious effect of all is the increased risk of undiagnosed and untreated periodontal (gum) disease. Gum disease can cause the loss of teeth, bone and oral tissue. Additionally, studies have associated gum disease with other major health concerns, such as diabetes, heart disease and strokes, to name just a few.

Sedation dentistry can enable fearful patients to relax and receive the dental care they need. At Portmore Dental Office, many options are available. For those that are bothered by the sound of the drill, we offer headphones with soothing music. Nitrous oxide (also called laughing gas) is available for the mildly phobic patients. It results in complete relaxation and a pleasant sense of wellbeing. For patients with severe fear, IV sedation is available. It results in a sleep-like consciousness; the patient is able to respond to requests by the dentist, but is unaware of the passage of time or the treatment being performed.