Eliminate Your Fear and Doubt - See An Oral Sedation Dentist

Are you neglecting your teeth and oral hygiene because the moment you hear the word “dentist” your body tenses up with fear? Are you the kind of person who rather tolerate and agony of a toothache than walk to a dentist’s office? If yes, there is nothing to be ashamed of. There are many people who are mortally afraid of dentists and avoid them like plague. Thankfully, you no longer have to do this, as you can find an oral sedation dentist and maintain optimal dental health. 

Get Past Your Anxiety and Fear

As the term suggests, oral sedation doesn’t require injections. So, if you are fearful of needles and injections, you can relax. Oral sedation refers to medication that is given orally to help you relax and get comfortable in the dentist’s chair, so that the dentist can perform the required dental procedure. 

When you are anxious and afraid, your pain threshold level lowers and makes you extremely sensitive to the smallest noise and sensation. This is because you get in a fight or flight mode due to excessive adrenalin circulating in your body and your muscles tense up in anticipation of pain. With an oral sedation dentist, you can forget about pain and enjoy virtually painless dental procedures. 

The sedative given by the dentist will calm and relax you. It will relax your body and mind without a trace of anxiety. And, the best part is you don’t lose consciousness and are completely awake and in control of your mental faculties. 

Oral Sedation is Effective and Safe

Oral sedation is the new and highly effective way to experience any dental procedure. The sedation allows you to sit confidently on the chair and hours fly away like minutes. And, the dentist gets the opportunity to perform the dental treatment efficiently. 

There is a range of oral sedatives that dentist use nowadays. These sedatives have been formulated especially for dental treatments and have been thoroughly researched and tested to ensure their efficacy and safety. So, you have nothing to worry. Also, the oral sedation dentist has the training and experience to measure the medication based on the therapeutic index and ensures you get a safe drug. The higher the measurement of the drug on the index, the safer it is.

But you can do your bit to ensure higher level of safety. This is by informing the dentist the following before the medication is given to you. 

• •    Medical conditions you have
• •    The treatment you are receiving for your medical conditions
• •    The OTC vitamins, supplements and medications you are taking
• •    The herbal supplements you may be taking
• •    Whether you smoke and/or drink as this can have an effect on the sedation medication
• •    The food you’ve eaten in the last 48 hours. Did you know grapefruit juice can make the oral sedation medication ineffective?

Besides nitrous oxide, which is commonly known as laughing gas, dentists prescribe a range of oral sedation medications. These include medicines such as Valium, Halcion, Ativan, Versed, Sonata and Vistaril. Most medications (excluding Vistaril and Sonata) are benzodiazepines, which are used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures, agitation and insomnia. 

When oral sedation is prescribed in small doses, they can easily tackle the high degree of anxiety patients suffer from. Also, the dosage will depend on the treatment. Usually, medications take about 20 minutes to take effect and the medication can be swallowed or placed under your tongue. 

Why is Oral Sedation a Popular Choice?

As stated, oral sedation lets you become relaxed and comfortable, so that the dentist can perform the necessary treatment without having to deal with a stressed and anxious patient. This lets the dentist finish any procedure quickly and efficiently. 

Patients like oral sedation, as they can maintain their oral health and hygiene without letting fear get in the way. Some medications have amnesic properties, so patients don’t remember too much of the procedure, allowing them to return for further treatment and checkups without freezing with fear.  

If fear is preventing you from visiting a dentist, seek out an oral sedation dentist immediately. Make sure you check the dentist’s credentials, training and techniques to determine whether he is the right one for you. If yes, you have nothing to worry about. Make sure you find out the cost of sedation dentistry before going ahead with the treatment.