Oral Sedation Dentistry
Oral sedation dentistry is a way for you to receive the dental care you need while being able to remain comfortable and relaxed through the use of medication. The specific medication may vary, but you will swallow a prescribed pill to receive the sedative. Even if you don’t have dental anxiety, if you need a longer dental treatment, then you may want to talk to the dentist about your sedation options.
Prior to determining which type of sedation is best for you, you will need to share your medical history with the dentist. You will need to include any medications, prescription or over-the-counter, or supplements you are taking. You should talk to the dentist about your tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use. If you have any experience with sedatives, be sure to share that background with the dentist.
Once the dentist prescribes the best medication for you, it is important that you take the medication at the time the dentist recommends. Most often, in the case of an oral sedative, you should plan on taking the medication an hour or so before the start of your appointment. You will start to feel the effects of the sedative as you arrive at the office for your appointment. You will still be conscious most of the time, but may feel less aware of your surroundings.
Because this medicine may affect your coordination and alertness, you will need to arrange for someone else to help you get to the appointment and home from the appointment. The effects of the medicine may linger for several hours. During your appointment, the dental clinic staff will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate during this time. They are trained to ensure your body remains comfortable, and they relax predictably and stably.
For people with serious dental anxiety or problems with the sounds of dental tools, the amnesic effects of oral sedation can be one of its most helpful effects. Not remembering the procedure can be comforting, but you will still be able to alert others and communicate with them.
Everyone’s reaction to oral sedation is a little different, and everyone’s body processes and eliminates the medication at a different rate. If you are someone who experiences the effects of medication longer than others, you may find that you are still sleepy, dizzy, or mentally foggy after you leave the appointment. The dentist will give you aftercare instructions prior to your dental treatment, and give your trusted companion the instructions as well to ensure they are followed. You will need to be sure to rest and hydrate at home and avoid tasks that require intense focus or concentration.
Oral sedation can be used for most dental treatments, from a simple examination to a complex dental surgery. If you gag easily, find it difficult to sit still during a procedure, or feel anxious about dental work, oral sedation may be a helpful tool on your journey to improve your oral health.
If you have more questions about sedation dentistry or how it could work as a part of your treatment plan to achieve better dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see if sedation dentistry is the best option for you.