Sedation dentistry is medicine’s answer to fear of the dentist. If the idea of visiting the dentist fills you with anxiety and you would rather endure a toothache than come see us, sedation dentistry might be for you.We don’t automatically prescribe sedation dentistry to all patients with a fear of the dentist. As holistic dentists, we have a range of relaxation techniques and treatments we can try before we resort to sedation. However, as a tool to use if nothing else works, sedation dentistry is extremely effective.

What is sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is designed to relax you and remove anxiety while in the dentist’s chair. We use an approved sedative, administered by a licensed practitioner so we can work and you can relax.

Sedation does not send you to sleep. It merely allows you to relax and forget about stress for a while. It is a very effective countermeasure to fear of visiting the dentist.

The benefits of sedation dentistry

The benefits of sedation dentistry are quite straightforward. They allow anyone with a genuine fear of the dentist to undergo treatment and perhaps even overcome that anxiety.

It also give us as dentists a calm, relaxed patient with which to work, making our job much easier. As a result, we can often complete our treatment faster or with fewer visits than would otherwise be necessary.

Sedation dentistry is ideal for those who:

• Have a genuine fear or phobia of visiting the dentist
• Need help relaxing so we can work effectively
• Have a genuine fear of something specific such as needles or drills
• Cannot relax properly through alternative holistic treatments
• Need dental treatment but cannot bring yourself to visit us any other way

Sedation is not sleep

If you’re researching sedation dentistry on the internet, you will often see the term “sleep dentistry” used. This is a misnomer and is not accurate. If you elect for sedation dentistry you are not put to sleep. You are awake at all times, are able to respond to questions and follow direction. You are merely unaware of what’s going on and your fear of being here.

Our certified experts use I.V. sedation to help alleviate your fears and anxieties. Our relaxed environment helps calm you down and our expert dentists work quickly and effectively to address whatever dental issues you may have. All combine to provide a very effective dental solution, no matter how anxious you may be.

If you’re looking for a dentist you can trust, a dentist experienced and certified in sedation dentistry, Aesthetic Family Dentistry today. We’re here to help!

Cavities are one of the most popular dental complaints in the world and yet are easily avoided with proper care. While it’s vital that you visit your dentist regularly for checkups, there is a lot you can do yourself to prevent cavities appearing.

Cavities are a symptom of tooth decay caused by bacteria that gets into the teeth and eats away at tooth enamel. As the bacteria works, it produces acid which compounds the problem. The acid erodes the tooth enamel and then leaches into the tooth itself, which is what causes cavities.

That bacteria feeds on the sugar and starch we eat and emits a gas as a result of consumption. That gas produces bad breath, which is another reason we want to prevent it!

Our diets are generally high in sugar and starch, providing lots of food for the bacteria in our mouths. So, diet has a big influence in how susceptible we are to cavities and tooth decay.

Preventing tooth decay and cavities

Preventing tooth decay and in turn, cavities is actually quite simple. However, it takes effort and requires you to build time into your busy daily schedule. If you can do that, you can prevent tooth decay.

To prevent damage to your teeth you need to:

Brush your teeth daily

Brush your teeth twice a day after meals with a good quality toothpaste and you will go a long way to preventing tooth decay. Make sure you brush properly and spend at least 2 minutes doing it. If you want to learn how to brush properly, we can help.

Floss regularly

Flossing isn’t the most intuitive pastime we can think of but it’s an essential part of good oral hygiene. Regular brushing cannot get between the teeth to remove food, which is where flossing comes in. Floss daily if you can, or at least, as often as you can to maximize your oral health. It will go a long way to preventing cavities.

Eat healthy

The bacteria in our mouth feeds on sugar and starch, so removing as much of it from your diet as possible gives them less fuel to work. Not only does the reduction in sugar help your teeth, it will have overriding health benefits for your entire body. As holistic dentists, we’re very much in favor of that!

Regular dental checks

Visiting your dentist on a regular basis for a checkup is an essential part of maintaining oral health. Even with the best dental regimen in the world, sometimes things get missed or slip through the cracks. It’s our job to spot problems before they arise and help you prevent tooth decay and cavities.

In all aspects of medicine prevention is always better than needing to find a cure, dentistry is no different. Brush twice a day, floss daily, watch what you eat and visit your dentist regularly and there is no reason why you cannot go your entire life without ever needing a filling!