My intense love for candy, cakes, and everything in between started as a child. I simply couldn't go one day without something sweet to eat. But my love for all things sweet took a toll on my teeth. My dentist diagnosed me with seven cavities, each one a different size and depth. After sitting through four long dental appointments, I decided to make a change. I now monitor my diet and only eat things that benefit my oral health. I'm here to help you take better care of your teeth. My blog offers tips on how to improve your diet, maintain good oral hygiene, and many other topics. Hopefully, you can learn to overcome your bad habits just as I did. Good luck with your future dental health.
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Many Americans struggle with anxiety regarding the dentist. Luckily, more and more dentists are offering sedation services to help patients relax. There are multiple types of sedation, and you and your dentist will determine which is best for you. If you would like to know more, check out these three common types of oral sedation.
1. Inhalation Sedation
Inhalation sedation typically uses nitrous oxide. This gas relaxes your body by slowing down your brain and responses, which also reduces anxiety and stress. Your brain may feel foggy, and you'll be less aware of the dental procedure. However, you will still be able to follow instructions and answer your dentist's questions.
To use inhalation sedation, your dentist will cover your nose with a breathing nozzle. This will release a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide. The dentist can increase or decrease the amount of nitrous oxide, depending on the patient's needs. You'll need to keep breathing in the mixture for the nitrous oxide to work.
Once the nozzle is removed and you begin breathing pure oxygen again, the effects immediately begin to wear off. For this reason, you will be able to drive home or head to work after your appointment.
2. Oral Sedation
Oral sedation uses pills instead of gas. The exact medication depends on your dentist, but you may be prescribed Valium, Xanax, or a similar medication. All these affect your brain by lowering activity in the part of the brain that controls anxiety. In turn, this makes you less nervous and stressed about the dentist.
Oral sedatives must be taken before you arrive at the dentist, so you are fully sedated for your treatment. Like nitrous oxide, it can make you forget parts of the treatment, and it reduces your response times. Again, you will be able to respond and follow instructions.
The downside of oral sedation is that it can't be adjusted like nitrous oxide. In addition, the effects are longer lasting than nitrous oxide. Therefore, you will need someone to drive you home, and you should go directly home to rest.
3. IV Sedation
IV sedation is more intense than inhalation and oral sedation, making it less common. This type of sedation uses a needle and IV to administer the sedative, making it incredibly fast and effective. This type of sedation is sometimes referred to as "sleep dentistry," but the sedative isn't like general anesthesia.
You may feel so relaxed that you fall asleep with IV sedation, but it is not designed to knock you out. If you do fall asleep, the dentist can easily rouse you by nudging you or speaking to you. Just like with oral sedation, you will need to prove that you have a ride home.
Sedation dentistry allows many patients to finally get the treatments they need. Many patients find relief with inhalation sedation or oral sedatives, but IV sedation is a possible alternative. If you would like to know more about dental sedation, contact a dentist in your area today.
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