The Dental Anesthesia Center is available for non-emergent anesthesia and dental procedures. We have always made patient safety our number one priority. Due to the seriousness of the COVID-19 virus, several new systems have been put in place to ensure your safety that include having multiple air purification systems installed throughout the office and new social distancing guidelines for our waiting areas. We look forward to seeing you at your next dental visit and appreciate your patience during this time. To read our full COVID-19 Guidelines, please click HERE.

St. Louis Sedation, Sleep & Special Needs Dentistry :: The Dental Anesthesia Center

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dental anxiety

Has a Bad Experience at the Dentist Left You Anxious or Afraid?

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If you have had a bad dental experience in the past, it doesn’t mean it has to be repeated. We can help!

Many patients tell us that they had a bad or painful dental experience in the past. It’s sad when we hear this because it shouldn’t be like that. If you have had a bad dental experience in the past, it doesn’t mean it has to be repeated!

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver the gentle dental care you deserve from sedation dentists. We work hard to make you feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere.

Dental Anxiety and Dental Phobia

As many as 8% of Americans avoid going to the dentist out of fear. Approximately 20% experience so much anxiety that they won’t go to the dentist until it is absolutely necessary, often when it has become a dental emergency. The cause? Often a past dental experience that was bad.

People who have had a bad dental experience often neglect future dental care because they are too afraid or anxious. Unfortunately, dental problems don’t fix themselves, and so over time, a small issue that could have been easily fixed will develop into a more serious problem. Then it becomes more complex and more expensive to fix.

A Comfortable Solution

If you or a loved one experiences extreme levels of stress and anxiety about dental treatment, The Dental Anesthesia Center understands the fear you experience, and we have a comfortable solution. Modern, safe anesthesia techniques allow the fearful patient to have dental procedures accomplished without the anxiety associated with dentistry.

Dr. Michael Hoffmann and Dr. Sean Thoms are general dentists certified by the Missouri Dental Board in General Anesthesia and Deep Sedation. Dr. Victoria Daugherty is a general dentist who has completed a residency in Hospital Dentistry with additional training in sedation.

The methods of sedation can be achieved by:

  • Administrating oral medications
  • Intravenous medications
  • Nitrous Oxide “laughing gas”

When you come in for your appointment Dr. Hoffmann, Dr. Thoms, or Dr. Daugherty will decide which level is best for you. We look forward to meeting you.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844
https://youtu.be/C2Oo96owAzg

“Anything that they can do to accommodate people with special needs, they do.”

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“If it was not for them, I don’t think I would be able to make it through a normal dental appointment.”

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“They do anything they can to make you feel comfortable.”

How to Prevent a Dental Emergency

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Don’t ignore pain or changes to your mouth. If you develop sensitivity or pain in your mouth, get to the dentist. Ignoring a minor problem almost always leads to a larger one.

Our team at The Dental Anesthesia Center is always ready to help you if you suffer a dental emergency. Some oral health crises are inevitable. However, many dental emergencies can be prevented by taking a few precautionary measures.

How to Avoid the Need for Dental Emergency Services

There are many ways you can avoid the need for emergency dental services. Some helpful advice includes:

  • Maintain an excellent oral care routine at home. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, once when you get up in the morning and again right before going to bed. Be sure to brush for at least 2 minutes to ensure that your teeth are cleaned thoroughly.
  • Regularly replace your toothbrush. As soon as you notice the bristles begin to fray, bend, or wear out, it’s time for a new one. Even if the bristles don’t seem to be frayed, it’s a good idea to replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months.
  • Regularly floss your teeth. When you fail to floss, you leave approximately 1/3 of the surface of your teeth uncleaned. This greatly increases your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. If you find it tricky to clean in between your teeth, ask your dentist for advice.
  • Visit your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups. Your dentist will likely suggest professional teeth cleaning at least twice a year. This will not only give you a great smile, but it will also prevent future decay and problems.
  • Limit the amount of sugar you eat daily. When you frequently snack on sugary food, the acidity in your mouth increases. The acid attacks your tooth enamel and weakens it. Over time, cavities can develop.
  • Don’t ignore pain or changes to your mouth. If you develop sensitivity or pain in your mouth, get to the dentist. Ignoring a minor problem almost always leads to a larger one.
  • Don’t let fear or anxiety keep you from getting treatment. Nearly half of the people with dental problems avoid dental care because of their fears and anxiety. Modern, safe anesthesia techniques allow the fearful patient to have dental procedures accomplished without dentistry anxiety.

Schedule Your Appointment

We tend to take a healthy mouth for granted until something goes wrong. However, even when a person looks after their oral health, problems still arise that may require emergency dental care. A dental emergency can be an upsetting experience. This is especially true for a child or a patient that has special needs.

The Dental Anesthesia Center is here to help. We value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver the gentle dental care that you deserve. We work hard to make you feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

Your Child is Afraid of Going to the Dentist – How to Ease Their Fear

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Our pediatric dental anesthesia specialists have advanced training that allows them to interact positively with children who have anxiety and special needs.

Going to the dentist is an essential part of keeping your kid’s mouth healthy. However, it generally doesn’t rank high on the list of things your child, or you as a parent, want to do. For some children, they truly fear going to the dentist. They may experience anxiety just at the thought of sitting in the dentist’s chair.

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we understand that fear and anxiety are real feelings that can be difficult to control, especially for a child. We strive to make your child’s dental experience comfortable and positive. Yet, there are several things you as a parent can do to help ease their fear.

Ways to Ease their Fears

To help your child’s visit to the dentist go more smoothly, try these suggestions:

  • When talking about the dentist, avoid using words such as shot, hurt, or painful.
  • Tell your child about the upcoming appointment but limit the number of details you give. Answer their questions with simple answers. Let the dentist explain the more intricate details. Pediatric dentists have the training necessary to describe things to children in an easy-to-understand, nonthreatening way.
  • When talking about your dental experiences, don’t tell your child about any unpleasant or painful experiences you’ve had.
  • From an early age, explain to your child how important it is to take care of their oral health and that going to the dentist is a positive thing.
  • Read children’s books about going to the dentist.
  • Tell your child how friendly the dentist and staff are and that they will be in excellent care.
  • They may be scared to be separated from you. Let your child know that you can be with them the entire time.
  • Let them take their favorite doll or teddy bear to the appointment.

Reasons for Their Fears

Keep in mind that it’s entirely reasonable for your child to be fearful or nervous. They may be afraid of the unknown; others may be scared of being hurt or injured. If your child has special needs, this can add to their fear and apprehension. Some other reasons your child may fear going to the dentist include:

Whatever your child’s reasons, at The Dental Anesthesia Center, our pediatric dental anesthesia specialists have advanced training that allows them to interact positively with children who have anxiety and special needs. Our office is fully equipped to accommodate patients with special needs, allowing us to deliver care in an environment that is relaxed and comfortable for you and your child.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

Can I Be Sedated for General Dental Work?

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Nearly 75% of adults in the U.S experience some sort of fear with regards to visiting the dentist. Of these, as many as 10% have an intense enough fear to be considered a dental phobia.

Many people have anxiety, even fear, over having dental work done. Something as routine as having their teeth cleaned can be a terrifying experience. A lot of people who have this phobia would prefer not to have any dental treatment done, but this can lead to many problems.

The frustrating thing about dental phobia is that people with these feelings have an awareness that their fear is irrational, but they cannot do much about it. If you feel this way, you are not alone. Nearly 75% of adults in the U.S experience some sort of fear with regards to visiting the dentist. Of these, as many as 10% have an intense enough fear to be considered a dental phobia.

If you avoid going to the dentist, sedation dentistry is an excellent way to take away a measure of your anxiety. Sedation is used for any type of dental treatment, from a simple tooth cleaning to invasive procedures.

Understanding Sedation Dentistry

To help patients relax during a dental procedure, sedation dentistry uses medications. It is sometimes referred to as sleep dentistry, although this can be misleading because, except for general anesthesia, patients are awake.

The different levels of sedation include:

  • Minimal sedation – The lightest level of sedation, you are awake but are relaxed.
  • Moderate sedation – You are still able to respond to questions.
  • Deep sedation – Using general anesthesia, you will have no memory of the procedure.

Types of Sedation Methods Used

There are several different types of sedation methods. The method used for a patient is determined on the patients:

  • Medical history
  • Current physical
  • Mental health

The different methods include:

  • Inhaled minimal sedation – For this method, nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, combined with oxygen through a mask, helps you relax.
  • Oral sedation – This method can range from minimal to moderate. For minimal sedation, you will be given a pill to take, usually about an hour before the procedure. It will make you drowsy, but you will still be awake. For moderate sedation, a larger dose may be given.
  • IV sedation – You receive the sedative drug through an IV, this method works more quickly, and it allows the dentist to adjust the level.
  • Deep sedation and general anesthesia – You will take medications that will make you either almost unconscious or totally unconscious.

When you come to The Dental Anesthesia Center for your appointment, Dr. Hoffmann, Dr. Thoms or Dr. Daugherty will decide which level is best for you.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

Don’t Let Dental Fear Keep You from Getting the Treatment You Need

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Modern and safe anesthesia techniques can allow you to have dental procedures done without the anxiety associated with dentistry.

It is estimated that between 9% and 20% of Americans avoid going to the dentist due to anxiety or fear. So if you fear going to the dentist, you are definitely not alone.

Sometimes the term dental phobia is used interchangeably with dental anxiety, but dental phobia is a more serious condition. People with dental phobia are terrified of going to the dentist. They typically understand that their fear is irrational, but it doesn’t help change the way the feel.

Whether it’s dental fear, anxiety, or phobia, patients with these feelings usually don’t go to the dentist until forced to do so because they are in extreme pain.

What Causes Phobia and Anxiety?

There are a number of reasons why a person may be nervous or scared of going to the dentist. Some of the most common reasons include:

  • Fear of pain: This is a very common reason. This fear generally stems from a dental experience that was painful or unpleasant, perhaps when the person was a child. Others may have heard dental “horror” stories from friends or family members. Fortunately, advances in dental procedures can make a person’s experience pain and anxiety free.
  • Fear of having an injection or fear that it won’t work: There are a lot of people who are actually terrified of needles. Others fear that the anesthesia won’t work or that it will wear off during a procedure.
  • Anesthetic side effects: Some patients are afraid of the potential side effects of anesthesia like feeling faint, dizziness, or nausea.
  • A feeling of helplessness or loss of control: It’s not uncommon for people to feel this way when sitting in the dentist chair. They fear it because their mouth is open and they can’t see what’s going on and they fear not being in control of the situation.
  • Embarrassment: Many people self-conscious about their teeth. When people put off going to the dentist and minor problems turn into major issues, it compounds the effect, making it even more difficult the longer they wait.

How Sedation Dentistry Can Help

Your oral health is so important and letting a minor problem turn into a more serious issue only makes the situation worse. At The Dental Anesthesia Center, modern and safe anesthesia techniques can allow you to have dental procedures accomplished without the anxiety associated with dentistry.

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St. Louis Dental Phobia Dentist

If you have not been to the dentist because you suffer from moderate to severe dental phobia, Dr. Michael J. Hoffmann, Dr. Sean M. Thoms, and Dr. Victoria Q. Daugherty are here to help you. At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver gentle dental care that you deserve. Call to schedule your appointment at (314) 862-7844.

Schedule an Appointment

7 Dental Fads You Might Want to Avoid

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If you are looking for alternative solutions because of anxiety related to going to the dentist, consider sedation dentistry.

Being on the Internet can easily convince you that wonder products exist and they will change your life. Dental care is no exception. You might have already heard about some of the following practices that are supposed to keep your teeth healthy and beautiful with little cost and usually a little DIY effort.

Some people look for alternative dental solutions because they have anxiety or fear of going to the dentist. Unfortunately, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Many of these dental fads are not effective, or are even harmful for your teeth. In addition, relying solely on these techniques may lead to dental problems.

Oil Pulling

An ancient practice in terms of oral care is oil pulling. It involves swishing oil in your mouth for about 20 minutes. The oil is supposed to collect all the bacteria on your teeth and gums, making it easy for you to just flush it afterwards. While oil does remove some of the plaque on your teeth, relying only on oil pulling will eventually lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

Rinsing Your Teeth with Hydrogen Peroxide

In the search of the whitest smile, people try easy at-home remedies, like rinsing their teeth with hydrogen peroxide, a common ingredient in whitening products. This practice can be very harmful in the long-run, weakening the enamel.

Brushing Your Teeth with Activated Charcoal

Often seen on Instagram, this trick can be damaging for your teeth. Using activated charcoal for your teeth corrodes the enamel and will eventually leave your teeth vulnerable to cavities.

Wearing Tooth Grills and Gems

Grills will cause micro cracks and scratches on your teeth, and wearing gems can create breeding places for bacteria.

Using Coconut Oil to Treat Canker Sores

Canker sores can be very annoying, and coconut oil as a remedy seems quite harmless, but it doesn’t really make the healing process faster. If you have persistent sores in your mouth, see a dentist who can evaluate them.

Using Fluoride-Free Toothpaste

Anti-fluoride seems to be part of a wider trend that fights allopathic solutions, but fluoride, besides being present naturally in the environment (in low quantities), is also one of the best ways to prevent cavities.

Brushing Your Teeth with Lemon Juice and Baking Soda

Another dangerous habit is brushing your teeth with lemon, baking soda or a combination of the two. Lemon is highly acidic and baking soda very abrasive, so using the two will result in creating micro-scratches on your enamel, then attacking them with acid.

There’s nothing wrong with trying out some new things if you believe they are good for your health, but doing a little research on these subjects is enough to show you what’s truly effective and what’s only an internet fad.

If you were looking for alternative solutions because of anxiety related to going to the dentist, consider sedation dentistry – it is often the best solution to get the much needed dental treatment for patients who don’t like being in the dreaded chair.