Sleep Dentistry

    OAKTON, VA, September 04, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Fear of going to the dentist is probably the number one cause of serious dental problems and even other health problems that stem from delayed dental care. Sleep dentistry, or sedation dentistry, can take the fear and anxiety out of dental care.

What do you mean by "Sleep Dentistry?"
The term "sleep dentistry" is used in reference to several different things. Most often, it actually refers to sedations dentistry, and that is what we will be discussing here. Sedation dentistry makes use of oral sedatives, so that you are very relaxed, but you will be semi-conscious and breathing on your own.

While the terms "sleep dentistry" and "sedation dentistry" are used interchangeably, sleep dentistry can also refer to dentistry performed under general anesthesia. Very few patients require such a drastic measure, but for some it can be the only way that they can undergo necessary dental procedures.

You may also have heard of sleep dentistry in the context of dental care to resolve sleep-related problems such as snoring and sleep apnea.

Benefits of sleep dentistry
Fear, anxiety, and pain associated with dental work can be purely psychological, caused by real physical limitations, or the result of bad past experiences with dental procedures. Sleep dentistry can help you overcome your fears and minimize or eliminate pain and discomfort.

The deep relaxation you experience during sleep dentistry will help the local anesthesia work more effectively. It allows you to have longer procedures or multiple procedures in one sitting. Your dentist can actually complete the work faster when you are relaxed.

Much of the pain and soreness that people experience after dental work is due to muscle tension during the procedure. Sleep dentistry prevents this tension, and eliminates that unnecessary pain.

Reshaping your feelings about dental care
One of the really beautiful things about sleep dentistry is that you will have little or no memory of the procedure. You come away from the experience with the positive feeling of improved dental health, but without the bad memory of a long, painful, or frightening visit.

Every time you have a good experience, or simply the absence of a bad experience, you will feel less fearful of your next visit.

Who can benefit from sleep dentistry?
Sleep dentistry is a good option for anyone who wants a comfortable, more relaxed dental care experience. It is particularly helpful if you:
• Put off dental care because of fear
• Have a strong gag reflex
• Are resistant to numbing
• Have had a traumatic experience at the dentist's office in the past
• Have temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) making it difficult or impossible to open you mouth wide enough or for long enough periods of time for your needed procedure
• Have neck or back problems
• Have very sensitive teeth
• Are afraid of the sights, smells, or sounds of dental work
• Are afraid of needles
• Have difficulty swallowing
• Have a medical condition that makes it difficult to control your muscles
• Need extensive dental work

Sleep dentistry opens up the world of healthy teeth to those who have avoided dental care or found it impossible in the past. To learn more about how you can benefit from sleep dentistry, please visit the website of Softouch Dental Care, northern Virginia dentistry practice, today.

Website: http://www.softouchdentalcare.com/

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