Sedation Dentistry Side Effects
Anxiety over dental treatment is a very common problem for patients. Dental health directly affects your overall health so even if you suffer from anxiety, it is important to see your dentist on a regular basis and ensure treatment as recommended. Fortunately, there are a number of methods available to patients for easing anxiety during dental appointments.
Oral sedation dentistry janesville wisconsin is one of the best ways for dentists to ease their patient’s nerves. Oral sedation it’s usually administered in pill form with a benzodiazepine such as Valium, Xanax, Lorazepam, or Diazepam. Oral sedation keeps the patient conscious and awake but allows them to stay calm and relaxes their muscles. Oral sedation is used in conjunction with a local anesthetic that is administered to the areas being treated. Oral sedation is administered about 30 minutes prior to your appointment.
If your dental office does not keep medication on hand, they will give you a prescription for one dose for you to fill before your appointment. Oral sedation is a safe and effective way to allow patients to receive dental treatment which for some, may include a simple routine cleaning.
What are the side effects of oral sedation?
There are a few side effects involved with oral sedation. Some side effects you may expect to experience include:
- Drowsiness: Oral sedation keeps the patient awake during treatment while keeping them calm and relaxed but as the medication begins to wear off, the patient may experience a bit of drowsiness. Patients should arrange for transportation home after their dental appointment to avoid any risk of an accident while driving or taking public transportation.
- Dry mouth: Patients may also experience cotton mouth after oral sedation but dry mouth usually resolves on its own within a few hours.
- Brain fog: oral sedation allows patients to successfully enjoy our treatment while having no memory of the treatment itself. Some patients can expect to experience a little brain fog as their oral sedation wears off but this will resolve on its own within a few hours.
- Headache: A mild headache can also be expected after oral sedation but this too will subside after a few hours or can be controlled with over-the-counter pain medication like Tylenol or ibuprofen.
Conscious oral sedation is a great way for patients to tolerate necessary dental procedures with only minor side effects. The side effects that you may experience after oral sedation is worth the benefits of treatment. Even if you cannot endure a routine dental cleaning, it is important to ask your dentist about anxiety medication so that you are able to receive necessary treatment to keep your smile and overall body healthy.
Without routine treatment, patients are susceptible to developing periodontal disease which can lead to more severe issues. If you have experienced a traumatic dental appointment or just have dental anxiety, I speak with your dentist to see if some type of sedation may be right for you. Dental anxiety is incredibly common so do not feel embarrassed about inquiring after some type of anxiety control!