Dental Phobia and Anxiety Petaluma CA
It is not uncommon for patients of all ages to have dental anxiety. In fact, dental phobia and anxiety are extremely common. Dr. Yvonne Szyperski and her team at North Bay Smiles in Petaluma, CA, are committed to helping patients overcome their anxieties and get the care they need for a healthy smile!
How often should I visit the dentist?
Patients should visit their dentist twice a year for a cleaning and evaluation. This helps patients maintain their oral health in conjunction with monitoring for signs of infection, disease, or decay. But many patients skip these routine appointments and only visit when they have problems—which is the wrong approach to a healthy smile. If dental anxiety is keeping you from making these routine visits, learn about sedation dentistry at North Bay Smiles.
What sedation options are available?
Yvonne Szyperski offers two methods of sedation for patients, including:
- Nitrous oxide. Often called “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide provides light sedation for patients with mild anxieties. Nitrous oxide is an odorless, colorless gas that helps patients feel relaxed for any type of dental treatment, whether it be a root canal procedure or a simple cleaning. This is often effective for most of our patients. It allows us to quickly reverse the effects with the administration of oxygen and gives them an opportunity to return to their day. Patients also don’t need to arrange transportation to and from their appointment.
- Oral conscious sedation. Another option for patients with more severe dental anxieties is oral conscious sedation. This is a method of sedation that requires a prescription medication that patients take before they arrive. It is an effective way to address fear and anxiety, especially if patients are having more invasive treatments performed that may significantly increase their anxiety levels.
Call Dr. Yvonne Szyperski of North Bay Smiles today to learn about ways to treat dental anxiety.
Our team understands that many Petaluma, California area patients of all ages deal with dental anxiety. If you are ready to overcome dental anxiety, and get the treatments you need for your smile, connect with our team at North Bay Smiles today. Our facility is located at 1580 E. Washington Street, Ste. #101, and can be reached by phone at (707) 306-8001 to request an appointment.