Learn what laughing gas is and what it does to a dental patient.
While most of your dental visits will be a simple checkup, there may come a time when you need a dental procedure. Some procedures require laughing gas to be administered, which is an effective and safe sedative. If you’re curious about laughing gas and what it does to a dental patient, continue reading! (more…)
Continue reading for tips on root canal preparation and aftercare to ensure your procedure goes as smoothly as possible.
Root canals aren’t as scary as you may initially think, but they do require some preparation and aftercare. There are a few things you can do for the days leading up to your root canal appointment that will make the procedure go smoothly, as well as essential aftercare to ensure the tooth heals properly. (more…)
Avoiding the dentist based on fear or anxiety is not wise for your oral health. Don’t worry, we can help you calm your nerves.
Have you ever heard of someone being afraid to go to the dentist? Of course you have, because a fear of the dentist is incredibly common among both children and adults. In fact, if you are reading this there is a good chance that you are that someone. Don’t fret, you aren’t alone. Affinity Dental is here to help you understand the reasoning behind dental anxiety and phobia and address how to ease your worries. (more…)
Do you think sedation dentistry is right for you?
Sedation Dentistry is a fancy term for help with relaxation in the dentist’s chair. Did you know that there are a lot of people who avoid the dentist even in the event of an emergency? Their fear keeps them from getting the help they need, which only leads to further damage to their teeth. With sedation dentistry these people can get the oral care they need without panicking or experiencing a great deal of pain. Today we’re going to talk about your options for sedation dentistry and who can benefit from it. Ready to learn more? Here we go! (more…)
The idea of having a root canal or serious oral surgery and being able to see the tools going in and out of your mouth may not seem like the most appealing idea. Fortunately, we can offer tools such as sedation dentistry to help alleviate any anxiety or discomfort you may experience throughout a dental procedure.
Sedation dentistry has a bit of a colorful history – and one that largely takes place in Boston. In 1845, a Connecticut dentist named Horace Wells opted to use nitrous oxide to remove an aching tooth. With a successful initial attempt, he decided to conduct the same experiment in Boston. Except this time, he withdrew the bag too soon, and the patient ended up feeling pain and discomfort – the complete reverse experience of what sedation dentistry is about.
Fortunately for today’s dentists, the experiment did not end there. A year later, in 1846, dentist William T.G. Morton conducted the same experiment using ether this time instead of nitrous oxide. The oral surgery procedure went smoothly, the patient experienced no pain, and the experiment was considered to be a great success. The word anesthesia itself comes from this particular discovery – Morton corresponded with the famous physician, professor, and author Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., and he coined the word to describe the state induced by ether. Morton’s use of ether launched the use of anesthetics in surgery, and you can actually visit a monument to ether in the Boston Public Garden.
Today’s dentists owe a great deal to Horace Wells and William T.G. Morton. While Wells’ use of nitrous oxide had a poor showing in the surgery theater, it was a compelling enough product to inspire further research. Today’s dentists will often use nitrous oxide in sedation dentistry, as it is safe and simple to use, partners well with other drugs and gasses, and makes for a more pleasant experience as it often induces laughter – hence why it is known also as laughing gas. Alternatively, dentists can offer other forms of oral sedation to help their patients feel more comfortable throughout the process.
If you have an upcoming oral surgery and are nervous or anxious about the procedure, talk to your dentist about what forms of sedation dentistry they can provide. Our team at Affinity Dental is experienced and highly personable, and will work with you to ensure that any procedure you have is with the utmost comfort. Give us a call today at 410-719-7900 or visit our website.
Affinity Dental is dedicated to providing Maryland with the best dental service and oral surgery practices in the state. We offer morning, evening, and weekend hours to accommodate our patients and provide access to care to fit your busy schedule. We’re trained and equipped to tackle any dental problem you have, from routine cleaning to advanced oral surgery. Our doctors and staff are dedicated to improving your dental health! You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
If you are scheduled for, or are contemplating having, oral surgery, we know that the prospect can seem daunting. Nobody wants to have an area as sensitive as the mouth cut open. Fortunately, modern medical science and technology has made most oral surgery a relatively painless process, one that can be made fairly smooth with the right preparation. Affinity Dental is here with the steps you should take to properly prepare for oral surgery.
It seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people avoid conversing with their dentists even when something as serious as surgery is on the line. Talk to them about the process, ask questions, we promise they don’t bite. Find out if there’s any medicine you’ll need afterwards, and make sure you’ve taken care of the prescriptions before the procedure. Schedule a ride to take you home afterwards and above all, talk about what makes you afraid or concerned about the surgery. Your dentist will almost certainly be able to help put these at ease.
It’s important to follow any guidelines your dentist suggests closely, especially if they’re administering any anesthetic. Typically, you can’t eat or drink for about 8 hours prior to oral surgery, although if local anesthetic is being used, you should probably have a small meal. Make sure you’ve brushed and flossed beforehand and, most importantly, do not smoke for at least 24 hours prior to the surgery.
It’s important to wear clothing that has short sleeves and fits comfortably. While your dentist will do their best to avoid any clothing staining, you may want to wear something you don’t care about getting a few spots on. Don’t wear contact lenses, and avoid putting on any makeup.
What you eat after oral surgery is important. You’ll most likely need to stick to soft foods that don’t need a lot of chewing. You should also stay away from anything that’s highly acidic or spicy, which could cause irritation in your gums. DO NOT drink beverages after oral surgery using a straw, especially if you’ve had a tooth removed. This is caused when a protective blood clot, which usually forms when a tooth is removed, is dislodged and raw bone and nerve tissue is exposed, causing severe pain and potentially leading to an infection.
Call Affinity Dental. Affinity Dental’s team of experienced and highly personable dentists have the technology and skill necessary to make oral surgery quick and painless. Affinity Dental is dedicated to providing Maryland with the best dental service and oral surgery practices in the state. We offer morning, evening, and weekend hours to accommodate our patients and provide access to care to fit your busy schedule. We’re trained and equipped to tackle any dental problem you have, from routine cleaning to advanced oral surgery.
Contact us by phone at 410-719-7900, or on our website.
Our doctors and staff are dedicated to improving your dental health!
Is going to the dentist a big ordeal for you? You’re not the only one. About 15% of Americans suffer from severe dental anxiety. We’re not just talking about “I don’t want to go to the dentist.” We’re talking about people who purposely avoid the dentist even if they’re in pain or know that they really need to make that visit. One of the best ways to stop dental anxiety from being problematic is to ask your Catonsville dentist about sedation dentistry. A few weeks ago we did a blog about what sedation dentistry is. But we think, even more importantly, it’s necessary for you to know what benefits sedation dentistry can have for you.
Having a dentist that knows your fears and can help you calm them is very important. It’ll make keeping your oral health in top shape easy and anxiety free. At Affinity Dental, we know how important it is for you to maintain your oral health. If you have any questions about sedation dentistry, or making an appointment please contact Affinity Dental Associates by calling 410-719-7900 or visit MarylandsBestDentists.com today!
Our doctors and staff are dedicated to improving your dental health!
You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Source: Image-Dentistry, Your Dentistry Guide
It’s a fairly common thing to feel anxiety about visiting the dentist. Almost every patient, at one point or another, can feel nervous about a procedure and have to talk it out with their dentist to be reassured that everything will be fine (which it will!). But for those who feel their anxiety is interfering with their ability to go through with dental procedures, or even routine check-ups, sedation dentistry could potentially be the key to helping you overcome your fears.
Sedation dentistry, sometimes referred to as relaxation dentistry, is primarily suggested to patients who feel more than a typical amount of anxiety or nerves about sitting down in the dentist’s chair. There are varying degree of sedation dentistry that you can opt for: while lighter sedation methods can be used for those undergoing a brief procedure, you can also choose to undergo heavier sedation if the procedure will take longer, or if you are particularly anxious.
“Laughing gas,” or nitrous oxide as it is more officially known, is commonly used in sedation dentistry. Laughing gas can help a patient feel more relaxed going into a procedure, and is even appropriate to use during some forms of oral surgery. One of the benefits of laughing gas is that though you will technically be “sedated” when you use it, you will also remember the procedure. That way, you can know exactly what happened and how your dentist performed the procedure, and the positive feelings associated with the laughing gas could come to be associated with the dental work itself. This could put you on the right track to overcoming your dentist-anxiety once and for all.
Sedation dentistry can be accomplished with other things as well. In addition to laughing gas, dentists can use anti-anxiety pills and liquid medications if that is your preferred method, and they can also us intravenous sedation for those patients who do not wish to remember the dental procedure or oral surgery at all. No matter which method you select, sedation dentistry may be the help you need for your next trip to the dentist.
Do you have questions about whether sedation dentistry is right for you? Call Affinity Dental today!
At Affinity Dental, we strive to provide our patients with the personal, professional, quality dental care that they need, while making it convenient, painless, and affordable. We offer morning, evening, and weekend hours to accommodate our patients and provide access to care to fit your busy schedule. If you have and questions concerning sedation dentistry, give us a call at 410-719-7900 or visit our homepage.
Source:
http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/help/sedation-dentistry/
Do you freak out whenever someone mentions the word “dentist?” How about when you know you have an impending appointment. Don’t worry. You’re one of thousands of people who have a fear of the dentist. It’s completely normal, but can be a big problem if it’s causing you to avoid routine dental care or taking care of an ongoing oral health care problem. Sedation dentistry can’t solve your fear of the dentist, but it can make going to the dentist a more pleasurable experience and take the stress out of the situation. Our goal is to help you be as comfortable as possible while we do our best to fix your oral health problems. Sedation dentistry offers great benefits for those who are uncomfortable with the idea of going to the dentist.
If you’re worried about your dental experience, make sure you discuss this with your Catonsville dentist, who will be able to help you choose the type of sedation that is right for you or your family. A trip to the dentist shouldn’t be a cause for anxiety, but should be a good health decision.
At Affinity Dental we strive to provide our patients with the personal, professional, quality dental care they need, while making it convenient, painless, and affordable. We offer morning, evening, and weekend hours to accommodate our patients and provide access to care to fit your busy schedule. If you have any questions concerning sedation dentistry, give us a call at 410-719-7900 or visit our website.
Our doctors and staff are dedicated to improving your dental health!
You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Source: http://www.stlawrencedentistry.com/advantage-and-disadvantage-of-sedation-dentistry/
Sometimes, we find ourselves waiting for a problem to go away on its own rather than facing it head on. When it comes to a dental emergency, however, immediate action is the necessary step to take so as to avoid further damage to your teeth, gums, and jaw. Catonsville family dentist Affinity Dental is your go-to for all of your dental emergency needs. They can address any problem, including the following most common emergencies experienced:
-Injury to teeth and gums
Oftentimes, we think of an injury to our teeth as being something very obvious, such as chipping or fracturing. While a chipped tooth itself definitely constitutes a dental emergency, the chipping is not the only thing that your Affinity Dental dentist will address. Your mouth is vulnerable to infections and is the site of many nerves and blood vessels. If an injured tooth or gums is left untreated, you could end up with a much bigger issue on your hands than a simple chip.
-Severe pain
It’s difficult to grin and bear it when our teeth are what is causing our unbearable pain to begin with. Pain is an indicator that something isn’t right with your body; in the case of dental health, you might feel pain when eating hot or cold foods, or your pain might prevent you from sleeping. If that is the case, you may have a dental emergency to deal with and should seek a professional’s opinion.
-Lodged food
Flossing is an essential part of your daily tooth care routine, but if you find yourself with a food item that is stuck between your teeth or between a tooth and your gums, simple flossing may not cut it. Attempting to dislodge the food on your own could potentially result in even further damage. Affinity Dental dentists have the resources to remove the food item without injuring your mouth in any way.
Your Catonsville family dentist is capable of dealing with any dental emergency that comes their way. For more information on Affinity Dental, or to make your appointment now, call 410-719-7900 or visit MarylandsBestDentists.com today!
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Source: Dental Emergencies
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