Smile Keepers Blog

For many people, the thought of sitting in a dental chair can bring on anxiety. Whether it’s fear of pain, discomfort with sounds and smells, or a history of negative dental experiences, dental anxiety is more common than you might think. Fortunately, dentists offer sedation options to help patients feel relaxed and comfortable during treatment. Two of the most common are laughing gas and oral conscious sedation. While both reduce anxiety, they differ in how they work, their level of sedation, and what patients can expect. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand the differences.

If you feel nervous about an upcoming dental visit, your dentist may recommend nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, to help you relax during your procedure. But many patients wonder: will nitrous oxide put me to sleep or cause me to lose consciousness? Not exactly.

Here’s what you can expect when receiving nitrous oxide sedation at the dentist’s office.

Do you find yourself wanting to skip trips to your dentist because of dental-related anxiety? Maybe you had a bad experience, you have a fear of needles, or the sight and sounds of a dental office can leave you in a sweat. If that sounds all too familiar, you may benefit from sedation dentistry. With its help, you can feel calmer while you get the care you need. Curious to learn more? Read on to learn the answers to five common questions about sedation dentistry.