People approach going to the dentist with different mindsets, yet most will agree that no one really enjoys having procedures such as a filling or root canal done. While using a local anesthetic helps to reduce most pain associated with these types of procedures, there are still times when you may prefer more relaxation during your visit. Sedation dentistry in West Hollywood involves using medications to help you enter a more relaxed state of mind so that you can stop worrying about having a treatment done. Your dentist can also adjust the level of sedation according to your needs. While some people may need to be completely asleep, others may merely need to reduce anxiety. Either way, you can ask yourself these questions to determine if you might be a candidate for sedation during your next appointment.

Do You Have Chronic Jaw, Neck or Back Pain?

Dental treatments are meant to relieve pain in your teeth and gums. However, other health conditions may make it uncomfortable for you to be in the chair for long periods of time. For instance, TMJ may make it hard to hold your mouth open for very long. Alternatively, your lower back pain may cause you to dread going to the dentist. If you deal with chronic pain, let your West Hollywood dentist know so that you can explore the idea of sedation dentistry.

Are You Terrified of Going to the Dentist?

Anxiety should never stop you from getting oral health issues treated. Dental anxiety is surprisingly common, even among adults. Whether you have had a bad experience in the past or just hate the sound of the drill, having a sedative administered is just what you need to overcome your fears.

Do You Require a Lot of Dental Work in a Short Time?

While some dental procedures such a multiple fillings can be spaced out with multiple appointments, others may require you to have the entire procedure done at once. For instance, multiple tooth extractions prior to getting dentures tend to go better when you do them during the same appointment so that they all heal at the same time. However, these procedures can take over an hour, which is longer than most people want to hold their mouth open.

Are You In Relatively Good Health?

Strong candidates for sedation dentistry are also in fairly decent health. Before your treatment, the dentist will go over your health history and discuss things such as your current medications to make sure that the sedative they choose is safe. Make sure to let your dentist know about your health concerns so that they can help you make the right decisions regarding your care.

When the thought of going to the dentist makes you want to cringe, don’t let your worries stop you from getting treatment. With today’s sedation dentistry options, you can relax and enjoy knowing that better oral health without dealing with discomfort.