Helping You

Feel Calm

During Dental Treatment

At Plumfield Dental, we know lots of people worry about coming to the dentist. Everyone is different, so we don’t expect the same things to help everyone.

Instead, we’ll work with you to build your personal anxiety management toolkit. This is a set of simple ways to help you feel as calm and comfortable as possible during your visit.

Your toolkit might include:

  • listening to music, an audiobook or a podcast

  • holding a favourite or comforting object

  • using a stress ball or fidget toy

  • agreeing a hand signal if you want us to stop or take a break

  • calm breathing and relaxation exercises

  • hypnotic relaxation techniques

  • inhalation sedation, if suitable for you.

What are Hypnotic

Relaxation

Techniques?

These are simple relaxation and communication techniques that can help some people feel calmer during dental treatment.

They are not hypnotherapy and are not used to treat mental health conditions. They are simply one of many ways to feel more relaxed while having dental care.

The techniques may include:

  • helping you manage your breathing

  • helping you focus on something calming

  • using guided imagination or visualisation

  • using calm, reassuring words to help you relax.

You stay awake and aware the whole time. You stay in control: you can talk to us, ask questions, ask for a break or stop treatment whenever you wish.

Hypnotic relaxation techniques can also be used alongside local anaesthetic or inhalation sedation where this is appropriate.

Inhalation

Sedation

For some patients, inhalation sedation can be a helpful part of their anxiety management toolkit.

Inhalation sedation is a safe, gentle way to help you feel calmer during dental treatment. It involves breathing a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide through a small, comfortable nose mask. It is sometimes called ‘Gas and Air’ or ‘Happy Gas’.

You stay awake, aware and in control throughout your treatment. You can still talk to the dental team, ask questions or let us know if you would like to take a break.

The effects start within a few minutes and wear off quickly once the mask is removed. Most people feel well enough to return to their normal activities soon afterwards, following the advice given by the dental team.

Many patients tell us that inhalation sedation helps them feel less worried about treatment. It can also make it easier to cope with longer or more complex appointments.

Inhalation sedation is suitable for many patients, but it is not right for everyone. Before recommending it, we ask about your medical history and discuss whether it is the best option for you.