Do you want to take the stress and anxiety out of your dental visits? In some cases, your dentist may suggest oral conscious sedation as a way to stay calm and relaxed while your smile is being treated. Plenty of patients benefit from this type of sedation, but how will you know if it’s truly the right choice for you? Here’s a closer look at oral conscious sedation and what can make someone a good candidate for it.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
Oral conscious sedation involves special medication that you’ll need to take at a certain time prior to your appointment. The sedative will cause you to feel drowsy, but you will still be conscious, and your dentist will be able to awaken you easily if you happen to drift off. You’ll be unbothered by the sights and sounds of the dental office while you’re being treated, but bear in mind that it will take a while for the effects to completely wear off, so someone else will need to drive you home.
How Can You Tell If You’re a Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
Your dentist will need to review your health history before deciding whether oral conscious sedation is safe to use in your situation. In particular, they’ll need to know about any other medications that you’re taking at the moment in case they might negatively interact with the sedative.
If you do qualify for oral conscious sedation, it may be a good choice for you in the following situations:
- You are very anxious or afraid when it comes to visiting the dentist for any reason and have canceled necessary appointments in the past due to fear.
- You have overly sensitive teeth or gums that can make dental work uncomfortable.
- You have an unusually strong gag reflex.
- You are currently suffering from acute or chronic pain in your jaw.
- You have a physical or cognitive disability that makes it difficult to sit still or hold your mouth open for as long as you need to for a dental appointment.
- You have a hard time getting numb with local anesthetic alone.
Do you think oral conscious sedation could help you have a more pleasant dental experience? If so, you should talk to your dentist; they can help you determine whether it’s truly a good fit for you based on the particulars of your situation.
About the Practice
At Sound Dentistry, we help our patients enjoy brighter, healthier smiles with state-of-the-art treatments that take full advantage of the latest technology. We know many people are nervous when it comes to undergoing dental work of any kind, which is why we offer relaxing oral conscious sedation. If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment at our practice in New Bedford, visit our website or call (508) 996-6777.