3 Benefits of Oral Sedation

Let’s all be honest here: Who’s anxious about going to the dentist?

If you raised your hand, you aren’t alone. About 36% of people in the United States have a fear of going to the dentist. For 12%, that fear is extreme.

At Portrait Dental, we understand that visiting the dentist may not be your favorite activity in the world. (We aren’t offended; we promise!) That’s why we’ve developed oral sedation procedures to make your visit more enjoyable.

Oral sedation, also called sedation dentistry, is the practice of using sedatives to help people with dental anxiety relax during their appointments. Depending on your situation, Dr. Minh Nguyen may prescribe a variety of medications, including happy gas, anti-anxiety medications, or sedative hypnotics.

Here are three benefits of oral sedation.

1. Relieves anxiety

For most people, this is the whole point. You’re nervous about going to the dentist — oral sedation helps reduce your anxiety so you can make it through the visit. Without oral sedation, you may even be too anxious to force yourself to go to the appointment, which means your oral health suffers.

Whether you need a mild sedative or a deeper medication, oral sedation gives you a sense of calm and relaxation that enables you to receive the treatment you need.

2. Increases comfort

Oral sedation also increases your comfort level while you’re at the office and in the chair. It helps loosen your muscles and ease your tension so that you don’t fidget and move around as much. Because of the anesthesia, you also won’t have to worry about pain, which especially helps patients with sensitive teeth and gums or a strong gag reflex.

Because you’re calmer, you can also undergo more lengthy or complicated procedures in one sitting, rather than having to return to the office for multiple visits, which would mean more time in the chair.

3. Improves recovery

Not only does oral sedation make your experience in the office better, but it also improves the recovery process afterward. Your body doesn’t have to unwind from the tension as much, plus many patients who undergo oral sedation report they experience less pain, swelling, and irritation from their treatment.

If you’re anxious about visiting the dentist, our team at Portrait Dental offers a calm, caring atmosphere along with oral sedation options. To find out more or to schedule an appointment to discuss oral sedation, call our Katy, Texas office or use our online scheduler anytime.