Are you a candidate for sedation dentistry?

No one really likes going to the dentist, but many people are so fearful of dentists and dental procedures that they delay or avoid having necessary dental work done. The consequence of this range from cosmetic to serious overall health issues, because your teeth and gums can affect your entire body. An estimated 75 percent of American adults experience some degree of dental fear.

If you answer yes to one or more of the following questions, you may be a candidate for sedation dentistry.

• Do you have a fear of dental treatment or suffer from dental anxiety?
• Do you have a history of traumatic dental experiences?
• Are you embarrassed about your teeth but have avoided going to the dentist due to fear?
• Do you have complex dental problems or require dental surgery?
• Is it difficult for your mouth and gums to get completely numb for a dental procedure?
• Have you gone years or even decades without receiving professional dental care?
• Do you have a very sensitive gag reflex?
• Do you have difficulty opening your mouth?
• Have you denied you have dental problems until the pain becomes unbearable?
• Do you have extremely sensitive teeth?
• Do you make then cancel dental appointments?

Another group of people who may be candidates for sedation dentistry are those who have difficulty controlling their movements due to conditions such as cerebral palsy or Parkinson’s disease. Properly administered sedation can help these patients relax so that their involuntary movements do not impede dental work.

Tell your dentist about any medical conditions you may have, medications you are taking, and allergies to medications prior to a sedation dentistry procedure. Though sedation dentistry is usually reserved for patients who are 18 and older, there are pediatric sedation dentists who can treat children when circumstances are appropriate.