Just like pain, fear and anxiety are universal feelings, and they can be powerful enough to keep people from beneficial things. Dental care, for instance, is one area of your health you can’t afford to abandon for long periods of time, but being afraid of the dental office or of treatment deters many patients from returning on a regular basis, increasing the chances of serious issues.
With several types of sedation dentistry available with various delivery methods, how do you know which one is right for you? Are you a good candidate for stronger oral conscious sedation? Here are four indications that you might be!
You Suffer from Moderate to Severe Dental Anxiety.
Everyone experiences fear about something, but people can feel it to different degrees. For you, visiting the dentist may not just worry you a little; it could send you into a full-blown panic. If this is the case, a more powerful medication may be necessary to help you relax and have a more pleasant experience in the chair. In fact, with oral conscious sedation, you likely won’t even remember details from the appointment! You can easily receive the treatment you need without going through the stress and fear that the sights and sounds the dentist’s office can bring.
You Are Undergoing a Long or Complex Procedure.
Perhaps you can manage to sit through a routine cleaning without much trouble, but that usually doesn’t last too long. What if you have complicated treatment or even multiple procedures in a row you need to endure? Being still, calm, and in control can feel overwhelming as time ticks by. Even when taken about an hour before your appointment as instructed, oral conscious sedation typically stays in your system for several hours after you’re finished, which means any and all treatment you get shouldn’t affect your state of mind.
You Call and Tell Your Dentist about Your Fear in Advance.
Some forms of sedation, namely nitrous oxide, don’t necessarily take a ton of preparation and are received at the office. In contrast, oral conscious sedation must be ordered well in advance. You will need time to discuss your needs with your dentist, they will need to order the prescription from your pharmacy, and you will fill it. On the day of your procedure, you will swallow the pill about an hour before you arrive, allowing the effects to kick in comfortably by the time your appointment starts.
You Can Arrange for Someone to Take You Home After Your Appointment.
Unlike nitrous oxide, oral sedation doesn’t wear off quickly. You will continue to feel completely relaxed and not fully aware for probably a couple of hours afterward. As a result, you cannot drive yourself home and should not work for the rest of the day. You will need to find a trusted friend or family member who can safely take you to your dentist’s office and at least drop you off at home following the appointment until your system clears.
Although oral conscious sedation requires some planning and aftercare, with it, getting essential dental work done doesn’t have to be traumatic or scary. You can maintain a healthy, beautiful smile without raising your blood pressure or having an anxiety attack.
About the Author
Dr. Stephen Boyles worked alongside his father at Boyles General Dentistry & Implant Center for many years and is now continuing this legacy of excellence now that Dr. Franklin Boyles has retired. Like his father, Dr. Boyles has achieved Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry, which only a small percentage of dentists earn in their careers. In the Midland practice, he offers both nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation for patients who need help staying calm and comfortable. If you would like to take advantage of either of these services at your next visit, give us a call at 432-685-7011 or go online here.