What’s Nitrous Oxide? Can It Help Me?

/0 Comments/in , /by

If you’re afraid of visiting the dentist, there are many strategies you can use to keep yourself calm throughout the visit, including sedation dentistry, like nitrous oxide. As your dentist in Jacksonville, FL, the professionals at Dr. Matt Henry are happy to provide our patients with nitrous oxide. If you suffer from dental anxiety, this dental tool can help make your visit less stressful.

What Is Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide is a form of sedation dentistry that’s inhaled through a mask. Nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, is a fast-acting, effective form of sedation that gives patients a feeling of calm euphoria.

Nitrous oxide starts working almost immediately after it’s inhaled and continues to work until the gas supply is shut off. Once the supply is shut off, the patient returns to their normal state quickly.

Unlike some other forms of sedation, nitrous oxide doesn’t require the patient to get a ride home from the dentist. In fact, the patient can go back to work and operate heavy machinery following their dental appointment.

Who Needs Nitrous Oxide?

You can benefit from nitrous oxide if you have a fear of visiting the dentist. Don’t avoid your appointments because you’re afraid of undergoing a dental cleaning. Nitrous oxide can make the experience at the dentist less stressful and more relaxing.

You may also be a good candidate for nitrous oxide if you’re about to undergo a lengthy and uncomfortable dental procedure. Your dentist will let you know if sedation dentistry is appropriate for your upcoming appointment.

Think You Could Benefit From Nitrous Oxide? Call Today

If you think you could benefit fromsedation dentistry in Jacksonville, FL, call the office of Dr. Matt Henry to schedule a cleaning, and ask about sedation when you’re making the appointment.

How Long Do the Effects of Sedation Dentistry Last?

/0 Comments/in /by

Sedation dentistry is just one of the many ways that Dr. Matt Henry offers to help patients feel comfortable in the dentist’s chair. If you’re a person who gets anxious about visiting the dentist or feels nervous when you hear the classic sound of dental instruments, you may want to learn more about sedation dentistry. One of the most common questions that we are asked aboutsedation dentistry in Jacksonville, FL, is how long the effects last.

There are different kinds of available sedation dentistry. Each one is a little bit different than the others. When you come to our office, you will likely do well with one of two options, which are nitrous oxide (commonly called laughing gas) and oral sedation medications.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is the original form of sedation dentistry. It consists of a mild sedative gas that you inhale through a mask. The effect can be compared to how you feel at home when you’re completely relaxed, maybe sitting on your porch with your eyes closed, listening to the sounds of nature. With nitrous oxide, you may or may not fall asleep. Either way, you’ll be unconcerned with the work that the dentist is doing. You won’t be unconscious unless you feel like falling asleep. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off very gently after the mask is removed. By the time you leave the dentist’s office, you’ll be alert and ready to go on with your day, including going to work.

Oral Sedation Medications

Oral sedation medications make you feel in a similar way to nitrous oxide, but they don’t wear off as quickly. The feeling is similar to how nighttime cold medicine makes you sleepy. Oral sedation medications can make you feel drowsy even after you leave the dentist’s chair. For this reason, we recommend that you have someone drive you home and consider taking the rest of the day off from work. By the evening, though, you should be feeling back to your normal self!

You can rest assured that yourJacksonville, FL, dentist has your comfort in mind the whole time. Contact us to book an appointment to learn more.

4 Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

/0 Comments/in /by

For many people, the idea of visiting the dentist brings on feelings of anxiety. For others, visiting the dentist isn’t the problem; they just dislike the notion of undergoing major dental treatments. In any case, there is a solution for everyone that can make going to the dentist for any kind of treatment much more comfortable. That solution is sedation dentistry in Jacksonville, FL. Here are the benefits of sedation dentistry:

1. Reduced Anxiety

Sedation dentistry creates a protective barrier between the patient and the dentist. The patient will feel very relaxed and safe in the expert care of the dentist, even while the dental treatment is happening. The feeling is one of gentle relaxation, much like sinking into a soft bed at the end of a long, hard day at work.

2. Pain Management

Sedation dentistry can effectively manage pain and discomfort during dental procedures. The medications used in sedation dentistry have analgesic properties, which help alleviate dental pain and minimize discomfort. This especially benefits individuals with a low pain threshold or those undergoing extensive dental work.

3. Reduced Gag Reflex

Some people have a strong gag reflex. Usually, this isn’t a problem. However, when the dentist and dental hygienist need to work in the mouth, the gag reflex can slow the treatment’s progress and make the patient uncomfortable. Sedation dentistry helps to safely suppress the gag reflex, enabling the dental team to get on with their work and help the patient get home sooner.

4. Overall Better Experience

By minimizing anxiety, discomfort, and fear, sedation dentistry can enhance the overall treatment experience for patients. This is especially helpful for patients needing extensive treatment that takes longer.

The next time you visit your Jacksonville, FL dentist, ask about sedation dentistry. You’ll get all the details you need to make an informed decision.

4 Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

For many people, the idea of visiting the dentist brings on feelings of anxiety. For others, visiting the dentist isn’t the problem; they just dislike the notion of undergoing major dental treatments. In any case, there is a solution for everyone that can make going to the dentist for any kind of treatment much more comfortable. That solution is sedation dentistry in Jacksonville, FL. Here are the benefits of sedation dentistry:

1. Reduced Anxiety

Sedation dentistry creates a protective barrier between the patient and the dentist. The patient will feel very relaxed and safe in the expert care of the dentist, even while the dental treatment is happening. The feeling is one of gentle relaxation, much like sinking into a soft bed at the end of a long, hard day at work.

2. Pain Management

Sedation dentistry can effectively manage pain and discomfort during dental procedures. The medications used in sedation dentistry have analgesic properties, which help alleviate dental pain and minimize discomfort. This especially benefits individuals with a low pain threshold or those undergoing extensive dental work.

3. Reduced Gag Reflex

Some people have a strong gag reflex. Usually, this isn’t a problem. However, when the dentist and dental hygienist need to work in the mouth, the gag reflex can slow the treatment’s progress and make the patient uncomfortable. Sedation dentistry helps to safely suppress the gag reflex, enabling the dental team to get on with their work and help the patient get home sooner.

4. Overall Better Experience

By minimizing anxiety, discomfort, and fear, sedation dentistry can enhance the overall treatment experience for patients. This is especially helpful for patients needing extensive treatment that takes longer.

The next time you visit your Jacksonville, FL dentist, ask about sedation dentistry. You’ll get all the details you need to make an informed decision.

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?

/0 Comments/in , /by

Few people realize that the term sedation dentistry in Jacksonville refers to what older generations knew as “laughing gas.” Laughing gas was so named because of the light way it made people feel. It made patients feel so good that they were more likely to laugh because they were so relaxed. Now, the term used is sedation dentistry, but it’s essentially the same thing. Still, some people may wonder if sedation dentistry is safe.

What is Sedation Dentistry Used For?

Sedation dentistry isn’t an essential part of any dental procedure. No patient absolutely has to have sedation dentistry. But for millions of Americans, sedation dentistry has made the difference between having a relaxing dental visit and having a tense dental visit. In fact, many people find that they are more willing and even eager to go to the dentist with the help of sedation dentistry in Jacksonville. This is because sedation dentistry is specifically used to help patients relax while they are having their dental treatment done. It’s there so that the dentist can perform the treatment without the patient feeling overly anxious or worried.

What Does Sedation Dentistry Feel Like?

Imagine those times when you feel most relaxed. Maybe you are on vacation, or lying in bed with a good book, ready to fall off to sleep. That what sedation dentistry feels like. After the dentist has given you the inhalant or IV, you’ll simply begin to feel more relaxed; less worried and more at ease. You’ll still stay wide awake, and you’ll know everything that’s going on. But you will feel as if you don’t have a care in the world.

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?

Sedation dentistry has been safely used in dentist offices for decades. It’s approved by the ADA, and it’s even approved for use in children. It’s important to note that sedation dentistry is not the same as anesthesia. Anesthesia—the kind you might get before surgery—is a completely different thing. In fact, anesthesia has many more associated risks than the sedative used in sedation dentistry in Jacksonville.
If you feel that you have certain conditions that make you nervous using sedation dentistry, don’t worry. You don’t have to have it. Talk to your dentist in Jacksonville for more information about sedation dentistry and your health.