Nitrous Sedation Portland, OR
Taking care of your mouth is essential for keeping your smile healthy and beautiful. This care starts at home with daily brushing and flossing. In addition to taking care of your mouth at home, it is also important that you have regular dental care as well. Routine visits for cleanings and exams are crucial for the prevention of serious oral health issues. Alternatively, if you are experiencing specific symptoms, dental care is needed to get to the root of the cause and provide you with the appropriate treatment. However, if the thought of going to the dentist makes you feel anxious, you may avoid going. Sylvan Heights Dental can help you to feel more relaxed with nitrous sedation.
The Effects of Ignoring Dental Care
Getting dental care when you need it is important. Ignoring routine dental care increases your risk of developing oral health issues like cavities and gum disease. When oral health issues arise, ignoring treatment can have serious consequences. Small issues can grow larger over time. Teeth that are damaged can become weaker. They may break or shatter. Your teeth may become loose or even fall out. Even your whole-body health is at risk when issues go untreated. Bacteria can enter into your bloodstream and spread throughout your body, causing serious issues like heart disease and diabetes.
What is Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide is a form of conscious sedation. You may know it by its more common name of laughing gas. It is the mildest form of sedation available. Nitrous oxide is a gas that you inhale. It begins to work almost immediately, allowing you to feel more comfortable and relaxed. In addition to making you feel more at ease, nitrous oxide also helps to raise your pain threshold and weaken your gag reflex. These factors all enable us to perform your necessary procedures in a safe, effective manner. Because nitrous oxide is so mild and is only designed to help take the edge off, it is best suited for those with mild anxiety.
How Nitrous Oxide Works
Nitrous oxide is delivered through a small mask that is worn over your nose. Before treatment begins, we place the mask. We then turn on both the nitrous oxide as well as oxygen. The gases mix and you inhale them. Sedation begins to take effect almost immediately, causing you to feel more relaxed. You are still completely conscious and aware of what is going on. You can answer questions or respond to requests throughout your entire procedure.
Once your treatment is complete, we turn off the nitrous oxide but leave the oxygen running for just a few additional minutes. This helps to clear the nitrous oxide from your system. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off just as quickly as they take effect. There are no lingering side effects, and you can even drive yourself home after your appointment is over.
Nitrous Oxide Benefits
Nitrous oxide provides many benefits. These include:
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No needles and no medications.
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Sedation takes effect very quickly and wears off very quickly.
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Sedation can be quickly adjusted as needed during your treatment. |
Ignoring dental care can have serious consequences. Nitrous oxide can help you to feel more relaxed, allowing you to get the care you need when you need it. Call Sylvan Heights Dental today at (503) 297-1471 to find out if nitrous sedation is right for you.
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