Dental anxiety affects an estimated 30 to 40 million people in the United States. If you are among the many who struggle with fear or anxiety when it comes time to visit the dentist, the office of North Bellmore Dental Associates, PC can help. We're dedicated to our patients' care and comfort. We offer safe, controlled sedation techniques to alleviate anxiety and make it easier and less stressful to maintain excellent oral health.
If you have dental anxiety or dental phobia, you may find yourself skipping checkups as well as avoiding getting the care you need. However, letting fear get in the way of dental treatment not only takes a toll on your oral health but can also affect your overall well-being. The good news is that sedation dentistry enables anxious patients and those who have difficulty sitting for treatment the benefits of maintaining optimal oral health. By creating a deep sense of calm and relaxation, dental sedation helps ease any fears and apprehension associated with care.
Commonly referred to as "laughing gas," nitrous oxide is used as a mild sedative to reduce anxiety and facilitate relaxation during dental procedures. It's inhaled through a small mask over the nose and administered for optimal safety in combination with oxygen. Used for the duration of a dental procedure, nitrous oxide gets turned off as work comes to an end. Once the laughing gas gets turned off, the effects wear off very quickly, and the patient returns to a state of complete awareness. Beyond addressing mild to moderate anxiety levels, inhalation sedation can help reduce gagging in patients with a strong gag reflex.
