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You Shouldn't Have to Fear the Dentist

By E. John Baron DDS

April 27, 2017

Category: Dentistry

Tags: Sedation Dentistry dental anxiety

Sedation dentistry in Santa Cruz, California helps create a relaxed and calm experience for those that are fearful of dental work. With the use of sedatives, fearful patients can have a series of dental treatments in just one visit that would otherwise take them several visits. Different sedatives are used by Dr. E. John Baron fitting the needs of each particular patient.

Sedation Dentistry Options

Conscious sedation is one option that administers a sedative such as nitrous oxide to a patient. During the dental work, the patient is alert and awake but is slightly relaxed. Local anesthesia is another option that injects medication into tissue or is applied topically to eliminate any sense of feeling during procedures. Both are these are recommended for more minor procedures.

For more severe treatments or for severe cases of dental phobia, Dr. Baron may suggest the help of an anesthesiologist that puts a patient under for procedures. Oral conscious sedation is another option where patients take something orally. All of their bodily functions remain the same and they are able to breathe on their own. The patient may experience some amnesia on what happened.

Patients that are scared of the dentist oftentimes are hesitant to undergo any type of dental procedure, even an exam or cleaning. This puts them at risk of tooth decay and other future dental issues that could have been avoided with preventative dental care. However, with sedation dentistry in Santa Cruz, California, patients can get the check-ups and procedures they need in order to maintain their oral health. These sedatives make procedures seem fast, anxiety-free and relaxed.

To learn more about what sedation dentistry can do for you, call Dr. Baron’s office at 831-426-9200 today to schedule an appointment.

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Fight Dental Anxiety With Sedation Dentistry

By E.John Baron DDS INC.

December 22, 2014

Category: Dentistry

Tags: Sedation Dentistry

Your Santa Cruz dentist offers sedation dentistry to calm your dental fears.

Does the idea of going to the dentist make you bite your nails? Maybe it’s a bad experience with another dentist or just the sound of the drill that has you cancelling your dental appointments time and time again; however, routine dental checkups are vital to a healthy smile. During these visits we can clean your teeth and make sure that there are no signs of gum disease or decay. The more often you see your dentist the quicker we can pinpoint problems and treat them quickly and effectively. However, dental anxiety is real and afflicts millions of Americans. If you are crippled by dental anxiety in Santa Cruz, find out how sedation dentistry could help you.

What is sedation dentistry?

Your Santa Cruz dentist uses medication to help you feel calm and relaxed during your dental visit. While some people may call it “sleep dentistry”, this term isn’t technically correct. After all, you will generally still be awake while under the effects of sedation dentistry; however, you will feel anxiety-free.

There are different levels of sedation from minimal sedation, in which you are fully awake but just relaxed, to deeper forms of sedation in which you may not remember parts of the procedure and you may be only slightly conscious but easily awakened.

What are the different forms of sedation dentistry?

Oral sedation is often the most common way to provide patients with minimal to moderate forms of sedation. Oral sedation is often used as an anti-anxiety medication, and is a member of the Valium family. The pill will be taken about an hour before your dental procedure and you may feel drowsy or sleepy after taking it.

Another common form of sedation dentistry is nitrous oxide, better known as “laughing gas”. Nitrous oxide is combined with oxygen and delivered to the patient through a mask placed over the nose. Your dentist controls the level of nitrous oxide you receive during your treatment to help you stay relaxed throughout the procedure. An added benefit to this treatment is that the effects wear off quickly so you may be able to drive yourself home afterwards.

Who can get sedation dentistry in Santa Cruz?

Sedation dentistry can be offered for any dental procedure, no matter how small. Even if the idea of a routine dental cleaning has you nervous, we can offer you sedation dentistry. It doesn’t just have to be for major dental procedures.

While sedation dentistry is also great for those with dental anxieties, it can also be used for those who have trouble sitting for long periods of time, those with sensitive gag reflexes and those with special needs.

Let sedation dentistry in Santa Cruz make your next visit to the dentist a breeze. Call us today to schedule your much-needed appointment and let us know that you’re interested in getting sedation dentistry.

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Find Out How Much You Truly Know About Sedation Dentistry In Santa Cruz

By E. John Baron DDS, INC.

December 05, 2014

Category: Dentistry

Tags: Root Canal Therapy Dentist Sedation Dentistry Dental Cleaning

The Dental Fears Research Clinic reports that about 5 percent to 8 percent of Americans will avoid seeing their dentist due to fear. A whopping 20 percent have enough anxiety surrounding the dentist that they only go when it’s imperative. There are a variety of reasons why someone may not see their dentist; however, whether getting a dental cleaning or having root canal therapy, sedation dentistry can make any trip to the dentist a breeze. Before you start doing online research on sedation dentistry, here are some of the top five myths you need to know about.

Myth #1: Sedation dentistry can’t be offered for all dental services.

There is no reason why sedation therapy can’t be offered for any dental procedure, including your standard cleaning. Some people think that sedation is only used during surgery; however, you can opt to have it whenever you need it. If even the thought of having someone clean your teeth makes you nervous, then sedation dentistry can help.

Myth #2: Sedation dentistry is only for those with dental anxieties.

While sedation is most certainly a comfort to those with dental fears and phobias, it can also be helpful for other patients as well. Those will serious gag reflexes, those who have trouble staying in one position and even patients with special needs will find that sedation dentistry can make the next visit significantly easier.

Myth #3: Sedation dentistry will put you to sleep.

While there are some forms of sedation that can put you to sleep, the most common forms such as oral medication and nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) will not. You will feel tired and sleepy, but you will not actually be asleep. Patients that opt for nitrous oxide can even drive themselves home after their visit.

Myth #4: Sedation dentistry is dangerous.

General anesthesia does have its risks; however, that’s what makes sedation dentistry a wonderful option. The oral medication offered is considered an antianxiolytic, which is safe for most patients. Plus, unlike general anesthesia, sedation dentistry promises fewer side effects; however, patients who have recently undergone surgery and those who are allergic to certain medications should talk to their dentist before opting for sedation.

Myth #5: Sedation dentistry is still experimental.

Our dental office has safely used both nitrous oxide and anti-anxiety medications for years. We also follow all the necessary requirements put forward by the American Dental Association, so you know you are in capable, safe hands when you choose sedation dentistry in Santa Cruz.

Visit E. John Baron DDS, INC. Today!

To find out whether sedation dentistry is right for you, call our office today. We would be happy to discuss your options for making your next visit more relaxed. Are you a patient of E. John Baron DDS, INC.? If so, we would love to hear about your experiences below!

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Tips to Protect Your Smile

By E.John Baron DDS INC.

September 09, 2014

Category: Dentistry

Tags: Dental Implants Root Canal Dentist Sedation Dentistry Invisalign cerec same day crowns Santa Cruz CA

Keep decay away with these healthy tips.

When it comes to taking care of our smiles, prevention is key. Luckily, we have a host of different ways to protect our teeth from decay and infection. Whether you’re teaching your child to adopt hygienic habits or you’re looking to find the best ways to keep your smile cavity-free, you’ve come to the right place. Here are the tried and true ways to maintain a healthy smile. Local Dental Treatment

Your Diet Effects Your Teeth Too

Diet isn’t just important for maintaining healthy body weight. Obviously, what you put in your mouth affects your smile, too. Teeth can take quite a beating from sugar, starchy products and stain-producing drinks like dark sodas and tea. Limit these and load up on crunchy fruits and vegetables instead. Also, be sure to add fluoridated water, cheese, lean meats, nuts and milk to your diet. The calcium in milk helps to remineralize teeth.

Oral Care Instructions

While I’m sure you are an avid teeth brusher and flosser, you must keep up the hard work to maintain good oral health. This means brushing at least twice a day and flossing once a day. When you floss, make sure to gently guide the floss between your teeth. When the floss is at the gum line, make sure to curve it around one tooth and carefully slide it in the space between your gums and your tooth. This will guarantee that you get the most out of each daily flossing.

One rule patients tend to forget is that they should be brushing for at least 2 minutes. The best option is to divide your mouth into four different parts and spend about 30 seconds brushing each section.

Gentle reminder: When your bristles begin to fray, it’s time to throw your toothbrush away.

Protect Your Smile

Did you know that over 5 million teeth are partially dislodged each year? About 13 to 39 percent of those injuries are sports-related. If you play on a sports team it’s important to wear the proper gear. This means wearing helmets, facemasks and even mouthguards whenever you are on the field. If you’re having problems finding a guard that fits your teeth properly, talk to us about custom mouthguards.

Schedule Routine Checkups

You should be coming into the dentist’s office every six months for a cleaning and exam. If you already do, that’s great! If you haven’t been as good about keeping up with that, it’s OK. It’s never too late to start.

However, there are times that no matter how much effort we put into our smiles, decay still finds its way in. We understand that it can be defeating, but know that some of your dental problems could be genetic. If you’re dealing with an infection or widespread decay, we’ll most likely recommend getting root canal therapy in Santa Cruz. The name might sound intense, but it’s really not more invasive then getting a tooth filled.

Don’t shy away! If you need to setup your next dental visit or your root canal therapy in Santa Cruz, call our dental office today and take charge of your oral health!

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