Oral Sedation Can Help You Relax during Your Dental Appointment
Do you feel anxious before a dentist visit? Have you put off going the dentist’s office because of your fear despite needing urgent dental care? If so, you could be a good candidate for sedation dentistry that allows even the most nervous patients to receive the care they need.
Oral conscious sedation is a popular choice for patients who elect to make their dental appointment a relaxing and comfortable process at Smiles For Life. Drs. Joe McIntyre and Dan Whiting provide oral sedation at their Bridgewater, VA, practice to ease your anxiety during dental treatments.
What Does Oral Conscious Sedation Entail?
Oral conscious sedation works by taking a prescribed medication an hour before your dental appointment. The kind of anti-anxiety or sedative given to you will depend on your medical history and on any current medications you might be taking. When you come in for your initial consultation, your dentist will assess your health before deciding the appropriate oral sedative for you.
Depending on the dosage of the drug, the effects range from mild to moderate sedation. While the oral sedative can help patients deeply relax, they remain in a “twilight sleep,” which allows them to respond to the doctor’s instructions during the procedure.
Your vital signs will be carefully monitored throughout the procedure to ensure your safety. If you choose to take oral sedation, you must arrange for transportation to and from the office, as the effect of the drug may take some time to wear off.
Is Oral Sedation Suitable for Me?
Oral conscious sedation may be suitable if:
- You feel anxious or stressed about visiting a dentist or seeing dental instruments
- You have put off going to the dentist due to your phobia
- You are undergoing multiple procedures or an intensive treatment
- You have a sensitive gag reflex
- You have difficulty in sitting in one place for a long time
- You are uncomfortable in a dentist’s chair due to arthritis or another medical condition
If you choose to take oral sedation, you must arrange for transportation to and from the office, as the effect of the drug may take some time to wear off.
