Having your dental visit be as anxiety-free as possible is important because going to the dentist can often be stressful for patients.
You Are Not Alone
It’s estimated that 9% – 15% of Americans avoid visiting the dentist due to fear and anxiety. Unfortunately, this anxiety and avoiding going to the dentist can lead to poor dental health. It can increase your chance of developing gum disease and poorer health in general. People might have anxiety about dental experiences out of fear of pain, feeling out of control, and embarrassment due to the current condition of their teeth. The good news is many dental offices are introducing sedation dentistry to help ease patient anxiety.
Anxiety-Free Dentistry is the Way to Go
Dr. Westmoreland and his team are one of many teams that now practice sedation dentistry to give their patients the most comfortable dental experience possible. Through the use of common sedation medications, Dr. Westmoreland allows his patients to feel relaxed and at ease in his dental chair. Patients can still answer questions and respond but remain unaware of the dental office’s sights, sounds, and smells, which often trigger anxiety responses in patients.
Sedation dentistry allows patients to relax and have a pain-free dental experience. Most patients will have little to no memory of the visit, even though they will remain somewhat awake during the procedure. Patients must meet specific health criteria to be eligible to take part in sedation dentistry. Once those criteria are met, patients can be administered medication that will make them extremely sleepy and cause some amnesia.
Sedation dentistry is a safe and powerful method of getting the dental care you need without anxiety. Dr. Westmoreland is trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and uses the safest medications available for his patients. The idea of being sedated may also cause a little fear, but knowing you are in the hands of a skilled professional like Dr. Westmoreland, you know you can have an anxiety-free dental procedure.
Contact Westmoreland Dental Group to set up your anxiety-free sedation dentistry appointment today!