You know that you should make regular visits to the dentist, but some things are easier said than done.
If your struggle with dental anxiety or have a problem finding a dentist offering sedation options, you may have made dental appointments only to cancel them at the last minute. Possibly even just skipped your appointment entirely.
Or you may not have been able to make an appointment at all.
We want you to know, it’s OK if you feel anxious about dental care. Millions of people do, including patients right here in Shorewood, IL.
The good news is that many of those patients are still able to get the dental care they need thanks to sedation dentistry at Shorewood Family Dental Care.
If you can’t remember how long it’s been since your last dental visit, we welcome you to stop by our office just to talk to us. After you meet with our dentists and our team, you can decide if we are the place that can help you maintain or improve your oral health.
When you call 815-725-5991 or contact us online, we will be happy to answer your questions about our approach to patient comfort. And don’t forget to ask about our dental sedation options.
Professional Dental Cleanings, Exams Prevent Problems
By now, you are probably aware of things that the American Dental Association recommends that everyone should do for the sake of their oral health. In addition to eating a nutritious diet, you should:
- Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice each day.
- Floss between your teeth and gums every day.
- Make regular visits to your dentist.
A good guideline is to visit your family or general dentist twice a year for professional dental cleanings and exams.
You may be thinking that brushing and flossing are enough. They are certainly important — indeed, essential — to maintaining your oral health. However, none of us are perfect. You may have areas of your mouth that you unknowingly don’t clean as well as others.
As a result, you may have plaque or tartar buildup that you aren’t aware of. That can lead to cavities, gum disease, and more serious problems.
When you have a dental cleaning at Shorewood Family Dental Care, one of our first priorities is helping you feel comfortable. You will find our staff is compassionate, and we offer a variety of comfort options that may be just what you need to relax. This includes dental sedation (which will discuss more below).
During your visits, our dental professionals will remove any plaque or tartar from your teeth. We’ll polish your teeth so your smile can look its best, too.
Our team will also conduct a thorough exam. We hope we never find any problems, but when we do, we want to take action to solve any issues as soon as possible. We’re much more likely to catch these problems in the early stages when you make regular visits to our office.
Dentist Offering Sedation Can Make Cleanings Easier For You
Knowing the benefits of dental care doesn’t necessarily make it any easier to sit in a dentist chair. This is why our dentist offer sedation solutions that have been invaluable for so many patients.
When you are sedated, you can relax. As you won’t feel any pain and you may not remember any of your treatment (which some patients tell us they consider the best part of dental sedation).
We offer three levels of sedation at our Shorewood, IL, dentist office:
Nitrous Oxide
You also may know this as laughing gas. Nitrous Oxide has been used by dental and medical professionals for more than a century and a half. It’s fast-acting and simple to use.
All you have to do is breathe, and within minutes you will feel its calming effects.
Oral Sedation
This option is stronger, but one that many people with moderate anxiety find works well. By taking a pill about an hour before your appointment, you will be in a relaxed and comfortable state by the time you are scheduled for your cleaning or other treatment.
The effects of oral sedation can last for a few hours, so you must arrange for someone else to drive you to and from your appointment if you choose this option.
IV Sedation
IV is for patients with severe anxiety and who are undergoing complex procedures. It’s fast-acting like nitrous oxide and more powerful than oral sedation. Again, its effects can last for hours, so you must arrange for a family member or friend to take you home if your receive IV sedation.
Having a Sedation Dentist in Shorewood Can Help You
If you have been avoiding the dentist for years, today would be a good day to learn about our dental sedation options. To contact Shorewood Family Dental Care, fill out our online form or call 815-725-5991.
