What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry uses safe, proven means sedation to help patients minimize or completely eliminate dental anxiety. As a sedation dentistry patient, you’ll feel calm, relaxed, and comfortable during your procedure, the whole time remaining blissfully unaware of the details of your treatment.

Is Sedation Dentistry Right for Me?

If you’ve been wondering if sedation dentistry is right for you, ask yourself these questions.

• Do you experience anxiety before or during a dental visit?
• Do you have trouble sitting or holding your mouth open for long periods of time?
• Do you have a sensitive gag reflex?
• Do you require complex dental work?
• Do you need to have several procedures complete?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, sedation dentistry may be what you need.

Let Dr. Simmons help you overcome your dental fears. Call us today to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Simmons. We serve patients from Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton Roads, Moyock, Elizabeth City, Currituck, Outer Banks, and surrounding areas.

We also use laser dentistry to help patients in need of a gum lift. Patients who need a gum lift often think of their smile as stubby, because it appears that their teeth are too short. But that’s not the case at all. In most cases, patients who would describe their smiles as stubby have excess gum tissue that needs to be removed so that their complete smile can be unveiled. Laser dentistry helps Dr. Simmons do this more comfortably, giving patients a shorter recovery time.

It’s also possible to use laser dentistry during root canals, and to detect tooth decay, as we do with our DIAGNOdent tool.

Want to find out more about how Dr. Simmons’ Chesapeake dental office is using laser dentistry? Call us at (757) 421-7181 with any questions or to schedule an appointment with us.

What exactly is a smile resolution?

Essentially, it’s a promise you make about your oral health, namely that you’ll make it priority throughout the entire year. In other words, it’s a promise to brush twice daily, floss at least once daily, and to gargle with an anti-bacterial mouthwash.

And just as important, it’s a promise to visit Dr. Simmons’ Chesapeake dental office twice a year. Regular visits like these are important because they give Dr. Simmons a chance to check your smile for signs of gum disease, tooth decay, TMJ dysfunction, bruxism, and oral cancer.

Regular visits also give our team a chance to thoroughly clean your smile. Professional cleanings can provide your smile with greater protection than brushing and flossing alone, ultimately helping you achieve your goal of reaching your best possible smile.

If you’re ready to schedule your first visit of the year, call our Chesapeake dental office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Simmons. We serve patients from Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton Roads, Moycock, Elizabeth City, Currituck, Outer Banks, and surrounding areas.

First, remember to maintain your regular brushing and flossing schedule. You may also want to consider bringing a travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste with you for all those holiday parties. If that’s not possible, though, try chewing some xylitol gum after you eat. Xylitol is a natural sweetener that promotes a healthy pH in the mouth and makes it harder for bacteria and plaque to cling to teeth.

Second, remember to enjoy a balanced diet. Treats are everywhere during the holiday season, and while there’s nothing wrong with indulging from time to time, make sure your body is still getting the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

Third, including your oral health in your New Year’s resolutions. Resolve to visit Dr. Simmons’ Chesapeake office every six months for an oral exam and a cleaning. Also, maintain your oral health in between visits by brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once, and rinse with an anti-bacterial mouthwash.

Have any more questions about how you can help your smile this holiday season? Give our Chesapeake office a call today.

So while we hope you’ll remember to take great care of your teeth tomorrow, we also hope you’ll let yourself indulge a little as you share of yourself with those who you’re closest to.

Once again, happy Thanksgiving, everyone!