For many adults, even the thought of a dentist appointment induces anxiety. And unfortunately, many people react to this fear by avoiding seeing an oral health care professional entirely. For the sake of your dental and overall well-being, Family First Dentistry in Anchorage, AK, counsels it’s crucial not to do this. Instead, they recommend sedation dentistry. To help you understand what it is and what’s involved, they answer a few questions on the topic.

Common Concerns About Sedation Dentistry

What Is It?

Before any work begins, the dentist will give you a sedative to calm your nerves. This may be in the form of a pill or a gas or administered by an IV. So-called laughing gas is a common and well-known sedative. Typically, patients remain awake during the procedure but feel relaxed.

Is It Right for Me?

Sedation dentistry is strongly recommended to patients who are anxious about being in a dentist’s office, particularly if that nervousness frequently prevents them from receiving checkups or fixing issues. However, you may not be a candidate if the sedative would interfere with other medications or if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes.

Is It Safe?

When performed by a licensed professional, sedation dentistry is perfectly safe. You will still be conscious, aware, and able to speak with the staff members working with you.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Patients don’t usually report too many side effects, apart from reduced nervousness. Some experience slight amnesia about the appointment, while others say they even find themselves in less pain after a procedure during which they were sedated.

Family First Dentistry is committed to the comfort of their Anchorage patients and offers sedation dentistry to help people reduce their anxiety. In addition to a wide variety of procedures performed using the latest technology, they are also flexible with scheduling and welcome walk-ins and patients who need emergency assistance. To schedule an appointment, call them today at (907) 562-2820. To learn more about how they can assist, visit their website.