As people age, it becomes increasingly important for them to see a dentist regularly. After all, a person’s dental health can say a lot about their overall health. Practicing good dental hygiene habits and visiting a dentist at least twice a year is important. Unfortunately, many elderly people skip out on visits to the dentist because of anxiety or fear. Unless you are at a senior citizen care center, where specific records are maintained, skipping visits from this routine may add to any dental woes.
While it is normal to experience anxiety about going to dentist, there is no good reason why this should stop a person from seeking the dental work they need done. Fortunately, for such elders there is a concept called Sedation dentistry for those who experience anxiety or fear while dental procedure is beingperformed.
Generally there are three different types of sedation dentistry. This includes the most common type of sedation, Nitrous Oxide Sedation, which is done by administering laughing gas or nitrous oxide and oxygen combined, oral sedation and intravenous (IV) sedation.
Senior Sedation Dentistry– Generally, experienced dentists prefer to administer sedation dentistry for the elderly through standard laughing gas. This involves the dentist placing a small mask over the patient’s nose and mouth and then releasing a small amount of the odorless nitrous oxide and oxygen gas into the mask. Once the patient breathes in this gas, he or she will begin to feel relaxed and calm, allowing the necessary dental procedure to be performed with minimal to no patient anxiety.
Oral sedation is also a common method of senior sedation dentistry. This simply involves the administering of medication, which is taken by swallowing a pill. The pill has same effects on patient as laughing gas, but it is ideal for patients who prefer taking a pill as opposed to having the mask placed over their face.
Intravenous Conscious Sedation (aka as IV sedation) is still an option for elderly patients, but most prefer either the oral or inhalation method. Still, for those who prefer not to take pills and are uncomfortable with the administering mask, an IV injection of the calming drug may be the best option. An experienced dentist will consult individually with any elderly patient who desires sedation to determine which option is best.
Sedation dentistry, a unique kind of elder care service, doesn’t have to always be used as a conclusion of dentist chair fear.
Overall, sedation dentistry for the elderly can be a great option for seniors who experience anxiety or fear over having dental work done, or just want one single dentist visit to get all their dental procedures done at once. Make sure to ask your dentist for more information.
