While lots of people don't like going to the dentist, dental anxiety can take your avoidance of routine dental care to whole new levels. An estimated 15% of adults likely suffer from dental anxiety, a condition that can make getting the dental care you need a challenge.
If you ignore your oral health for too long, you put yourself at an increased risk for problems like decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. Regular care actually helps you avoid the need for more frequent appointments or extensive procedures later on.
To get you through your anxiety, Metairie Village Dentistry offers sedation dentistry. Dr. Lisa Wyatt can safely and supportively tailor your level of sedation to your unique needs and concerns. When you're relaxed by sedation, you can receive the oral health care you need to support your overall and long-term well-being.
Regular care is key for maintaining your oral health, both at home and in our office. We recommend that most patients come in for a preventive dental cleaning twice a year.
When you come in for your cleaning, we professionally clean your teeth and gums to remove any buildup of plaque. We also check you over for signs of cavities, gum disease, and other potential oral health problems.
These regular professional cleanings serve an important purpose for your total oral health. Catching tooth and gum problems early typically gives you more effective, less invasive treatment options. Left untreated, oral health problems can worsen, potentially leading to premature tooth loss or gum disease.
Further, oral health care problems don't just affect your mouth. Poor oral health can create other negative impacts on your health and well-being, causing problems with eating and socializing. Poor oral health has even been linked to serious health conditions like cardiovascular disease.
Don't let your anxiety about going to the dentist keep you from getting the oral health care you need. Metairie Village Dentistry offers a range of sedation dentistry options to keep you relaxed during treatment.
With some options, like nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, you remain awake and conscious during your appointment, the light sedation working to reduce your anxiety. Nitrous oxide wears off rapidly after you stop inhaling, so you won't have lasting side effects.
Oral sedation impacts you more heavily, causing drowsiness as well as relaxation. After taking the prescription medication recommended to relax you, you may even fall asleep. We can gently wake you when your treatment is complete.
Don't put off getting your scheduled dental cleanings or other needed dental procedures due to your anxiety. At Metairie Village Dentistry, Dr. Lisa Wyatt can help you find the right sedation level to calm your nerves during treatment. To get started with sedation dentistry at our Metairie, Louisiana, practice, schedule your appointment today by calling 504-827-1910 or by using the online booking tool.
