Oral Sedation Dentistry
Dental anxiety is very real and a number of people suffer from it. Fortunately most dental offices offer some type of oral sedation dentistry newark oh to help ease anxiety and calm fears. Oral sedation is simply a benzodiazepine, such as Valium or Xanax, administered in the form of a pill one hour before your appointment.
If you have anxiety about going to the dentist, it is important to speak with them about that. Patients who have anxiety and do not express their fears don’t realize they have options and effectively compromise their oral health. A lot of people do not realize that a simple cleaning is extremely important but periodontal disease has been linked to heart disease and diabetes so it is important to see your hygienist at least twice a year. Below are some advantages and disadvantages of receiving oral sedation.
Advantages
One top advantage of oral sedation is safety. Any drug that is administered for anxiety is monitored by the FDA. Oral sedation allows patients to remain responsive throughout their treatment so even though he may feel drowsy, you will be awake and able to listen to your dentist's instructions and respond when necessary.
Oral sedation is also painless and easy to administer. There are no needles involved so patients who have a fear of needles could benefit from oral sedation as opposed to IV sedation. Your dentist will prescribe a sedative for you but you can pick up at your pharmacy and take one hour prior to your dental appointment. This time frame allows the pill to kick in before your appointment.
Patients with dental anxiety enjoy the light amnesia that comes along with oral sedatives. This keeps patience from being stressed over what happens during their appointment and allows them to simply have a nice little nap afterward!
Disadvantages
Unlike other sedation options, using oral sedatives prevents the patient from driving to and from their appointment on their own. Even if they’re lying on public transportation, they would benefit from having an escort. It is important for patients who receive oral sedation to have a friend or family member drive them to and from their appointment.
The dosage of oral sedation is not easily changed like it is with nitrous or IV sedation. Since it takes time for the pill to kick in, it’s hard to increase your dosage without having a wait time for that extra dose to take effect as well.
Know you have options and you are not alone. Make sure you speak with your dentist and express all of your fears so they can help develop a game plan to keep your mouth healthy and keep you smiling for years to come!
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