Does the thought of going to the dentist make you uneasy?
Does it make you so tense you delay or skip appointments?
At Cool Dental in Lethbridge, we understand that people respond differently to dental visits.
Don’t be embarrassed if you have dental fears or anxieties. We encourage you to communicate with us so we can ease your discomfort during appointments and receive the dental care you need. Sedation dentistry achieves this. That’s why we’re happy to offer it in our practice.
What causes dental anxiety?
Dental fear can be associated with the fear of needles or pain. Dental anxiety, on the other hand, can be triggered simply by thinking about dental appointments or hearing sounds at the dental office.
Dental phobias, meanwhile, can be due to traumatic childhood experiences at the dentist.
It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause. You may no longer remember when it started. In some cases there can be more than one trigger.
The following are signs you may be experiencing dental anxiety or fears:
- Difficulty sleeping or focusing before an appointment
- Negative thoughts about dentistry
- Delay or avoidance of dental visits even if you’re in pain or experiencing a dental emergency
- Adverse physical reactions, i.e. panic, excessive sweating, shaking, and upset stomach
How sedation dentistry helps
Sedation dentistry uses medications to relax patients during dental appointments. Here in our practice, we offer laughing gas, oral sedation, and IV sedation.
- Laughing Gas. Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a mild sedation that’s delivered through a mask and wears off quickly. You’re conscious throughout the appointment and can also communicate with your dental team.
- Oral sedation. Medication that’s taken orally prior to your appointment that has a sedating effect. You may feel drowsy and fall asleep during your treatment. Not to worry, we can wake you up with a gentle shake at any point.
- IV sedation. IV sedation is administered intravenously. It works faster, and the dosage can also be adjusted at any time depending on your needs.
How to get dental sedation
We’re happy to educate you further about available options at our practice if you feel you need dental sedation for your appointments.
We invite you to book an initial consultation so we can talk more about your dental concerns and recommend a type of sedation based on your medical and health history, anxiety level, and the treatment you’re receiving.
Please know that we won’t force you to proceed with any treatment. We can wait until you’re ready, and we also encourage you to ask dental-related questions that you have so we can address them for you.
Understanding your treatment plan can make you feel more at ease.
Sedation dentistry, coupled with other strategies, can help you overcome dental anxiety. In addition, the use of the latest dental innovation makes procedures faster, more accurate, and more comfortable.
Sedation Dentistry in the Lethbridge area
We’re happy to assist you with your dental-related inquiries before scheduling a procedure.
We understand that managing dental anxiety and fears can be overwhelming. Our entire team at Cool Dental is here to give you a hand. We do our best to keep the dental office environment warm, welcoming, and supportive.
So please don’t delay going to the dentist any further. The earlier you receive the dental care you need, the easier and more cost-effective it is for you.
Waiting too long can result in any issue worsening and requiring comprehensive treatments.
If you’re wondering which dental sedation option is for you, call us at