ORAL SEDATION: WHAT IS IT?

A pill is used for oral sedation, and it is taken one hour prior to your dental procedure.

Without putting you to sleep, it dulls your senses and produces mild to moderate sedation.

The strength of the sedative is greatly influenced by your weight and size. As a result, your dentist will administer the suitably potent sedative needed for your dental treatment.

The strength of the oral sedative depends on the specifics of your dental procedure. A lower dose of the medication produces minimal sedation, which leaves you feeling calm and sleepy. You won't, however, become unconscious.

However, a higher dosage produces a more moderate level of sedation. In this scenario, you might feel so sleepy that the procedure puts you to sleep. But don't worry, if necessary, your dentist can gently shake you to wakefulness.

For patients who experience anxiety when visiting the dentist, sedation is the most effective option. Oral sedation may be helpful if you have a genuine fear of needles or dental procedures. You'll experience an increase in comfort and relaxation during your appointment.

In the following situations, patients benefit most from oral sedation:

• If dental procedures or needles cause you to feel fearful or anxious.
• If your threshold for pain is low.
• If the local anesthetic is ineffective on teeth that are too sensitive.
• If your gag reflex is still in action
• If you have trouble staying motionless while in a dentist's chair.
• If a significant amount of dental work is necessary.

How do you feel after taking oral sedation?

You get comfortable, relaxed, and drowsy when you take oral sedation. Your anxieties and panic subside. A mild form of sedation will be applied during the procedure. You are still conscious and able to respond, though. It is possible for you to experience tingling in your hands, feet, and limbs.

Benefits of Oral sedation:

Simple to administer: This is the least complicated sedation method. The only thing left to do is take a pill an hour before the procedure.

Non-invasive: Because oral sedation is non-invasive, it's an excellent choice for people who are afraid of needles.

Consciousness: Oral sedatives help you feel at ease and relaxed, but they don't cause you to lose consciousness.

Amnesia: You will not become unconscious. However, after taking an oral sedative, the majority of the patients have little to no memory of the dental procedure. Since you won't remember the details of your procedure, this is especially advantageous for people who are anxious about getting their teeth cleaned.

Safety: Using any oral sedative is completely risk-free. There are also fewer side effects.

What to anticipate when under oral sedation?

An hour prior to your dental procedure, you take the oral sedative. Your dentist keeps an eye on your blood pressure and breathing to make sure it stays within normal limits once the sedation starts to take effect.

Positive sensations of tiredness and relaxation are produced by the sedation. Throughout the process, worry, tension, and anxiety are released from you. Your limbs might feel a little tingly and heavy and relaxed. But depending on their size and weight, patients frequently experience sedation in different ways.

Your dentist may use more local anesthetic to numb the treatment area if your dental procedure is invasive. Following the procedure, your dentist will check your blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate to make sure everything is normal.

After your appointment, a friend or family member should be prepared to drive you home because oral sedation can have some lingering effects. Work and strenuous physical activity should be avoided until all side effects have subsided. You might feel queasy, sleepy, have headaches, or be generally lethargic in the interim.