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Is there anything that can help children with their fear of the dentist?
Yes. Some children are so frightened of the dentist that they will not go for dental treatment. They can overcome their fears with relaxation or sedation. Our dentists are sympathetic about these feelings, and you can ask our dentists about these ways to help.
What is sedation?
Your child can be helped to feel relaxed by ‘relative analgesia’ sometimes known as inhalation sedation. This means breathing in a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen (‘laughing gas’) which quickly leads to a pleasant, relaxed feeling. The dentist will put your child at ease at the same time, by talking softly and suggesting what he/she feels. Your child will remain conscious all the time, although he/she may be a little drowsy, and any treatment given causes no discomfort. Your child will breathe in the mixture through a nosepiece, which is very comfortable. Children cannot overdose on the gas, as the mixture quickly leaves the body with just one or two breaths of ordinary air. There are no after-effects either, and they can go to school after about 30 minutes. Many dentists use this safe and effective technique.
How does relaxation work?
When we are faced with a challenge or something we’re afraid of, such as a visit to the dentist, our bodies produce substances, which raise our anxiety. However, we can train our bodies to work against this anxiety, by learning to relax. It’s not possible to be anxious and relaxed at the same time, so learning relaxation helps control our anxiety.
For further information, please visit www.dentalfearcentral.org
Online Leaflets
Want general information on a condition or treatment?
Visit the British
Dental Health Foundation where they have over 40 online
leaflets.
Online Resource
Want to find out about dental treatment? Want
to know how to look after your teeth better?
Visit the new BDA
Smile web site.
3D Education
Want to learn about dental anatomy, conditions,
treatments and good oral health?
Visit the BDA's cutting edge 3D Educational web site.
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72 Coombe Road
(corner of Lime Grove)
New Malden
Surrey KT3 4QS
Tel: 020 8949 5252 |
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