During a typical sedation dentistry appointment, you’ll be given an anti-anxiety medication upon your arrival, which will help you relax during your procedure. However, there are different levels and types of sedation that your dentist may offer based on your procedure and your level of anxiety.

But is sedation dentistry safe? Here’s what you need to know when considering elective
sedation at the dentist’s office!

All Types of Sedation Dentistry Are Considered to Be Safe

When proper guidelines are followed, sedation dentistry is considered to be a safe and effective practice for patients [1]. It’s important to work with an experienced dentist who offers sedation dentistry to better meet your unique needs when it comes to receiving dental care.

Not every dental practice offers sedation for patients with dental anxiety. If you’re looking for a dentist to partner with for your oral care needs and think sedation dentistry could be helpful for you, it’s best to find a dentist who offers sedation and speak with them more about their options for your comfort.

Potential Risks of Sedation Dentistry

Dentists that offer sedation take extra care to monitor your blood pressure, heart rate and temperature to ensure that you’re safe before, during, and after your procedure.

While children tend to tolerate sedation dentistry well, people who are obese or suffer from sleep apnea present unique challenges [2]. Sedation dentistry can still be done if you are overweight or have sleep apnea, and your dentist will discuss any risks with you and take extra precautions to ensure your safety.

Although rare, there is a small chance that you would have an allergic reaction to the medication used during your sedation procedure [3]. If you have any known allergies, be sure to inform your dentist prior to your appointment. Your dentist will make every effort to ensure a safe procedure!

Can You Drive Yourself Home Afterward?

There are different levels of sedation you may choose to have. The following are the most
common levels and whether or not you can drive yourself home after the appointment:

• Nitrous oxide. Better known as laughing gas, this is the lightest level of sedation, and its effects don’t last very long. You can typically drive yourself home after the procedure.
• Oral sedation. The level of sedation will vary based on your dose, but you’ll usually need someone to drive you home following your appointment.
• Moderate sedation. Typically done intravenously, this level of sedation can be easily adjusted, but will still require you to have transportation home afterward.
• General anesthesia. The effects will last the longest in this level of sedation, so you’ll need to be driven home after your appointment.

Your dentist will discuss specific aftercare instructions with you before your appointment so that you know what to expect.

Considering Sedation Dentistry?

If your dental anxiety has prevented you from getting the oral care you need, sedation dentistry is a safe and effective way to receive dental care while feeling comfortable. Consider looking for dentists that offer sedation dentistry in your area!

Sources:
1. http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Education%20and%20Careers/Files/anesthesia_use
2. http://www.jdentaled.org/content/76/9/1129
3. https://www.cda.org/portals/0/pdfs/fact_sheets/nitrous_oxide_english.pdf

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When visiting the dentist, your comfort comes first. Dentists are here to help, and you should be able to receive the level of care you need at your dental practice of choice. Here are some things to consider when finding the best dentist for you and your family for the best care!

Look for an Oral Healthcare Professional Who Can Meet Your Needs

Determine what you’re looking for when it comes to an oral healthcare professional. Do you have small children and need a family-friendly dentist, or a dentist that provides after-hours emergency care just in case? Are you looking for an experienced cosmetic dentist for a smile makeover?

Regardless of what your goals are for your smile, find a dentist who can provide you and your family with the care you need. Contact dental practices in your area and don’t be afraid to ask questions about the types of services they provide and any specialties they may have.

Consider a Dental Practice That Offers Sedation Dentistry for Anxiety

If you have dental anxiety or dental phobia, you need a compassionate oral healthcare professional that has experience working with patients just like you. Today, many dentists offer sedation dentistry, which allows patients with severe anxiety to receive a sedative upon arriving for their appointment. With sedation dentistry, you can relax to your level of comfort and receive the treatment you need.

When looking for a dentist that provides sedation dentistry, it’s important to work with an experienced practice [1]. Look for dentists that specify that they offer sedation dentistry, then reach out to ask what types they offer to see if their options will work for you!

Schedule a Meet-and-Greet

If you’ve found a dentist that offers everything you’re looking for, you can schedule an in- person meet-and-greet to evaluate the dental practice further [2]. This way, you can get a feel for the friendliness of the staff, the cleanliness of the office, and speak with the dentist in person to find out more about them and to see if they’d be a good fit for what you’re looking for.

Most dental practices will consider this a consultation to review your goals for your smile and to review treatment options should you like to consider moving forward.

Your Teeth and Gums Deserve the Best Care!

The teeth and gums you have are for life. By partnering with a professional dentist to take the best care of your smile, you can ensure that your teeth remain healthy and strong for the decades ahead. Your comfort comes first at the dentist, so be sure to find the right one to support your oral health goals and have a beautiful smile!

Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6327823/
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/dental-care-concerns/how-to-choose-a-dentist

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People who avoid the dentist due to dental anxiety or dental phobia can benefit from sedation dentistry and receive the treatment they need without distress. Here’s what you can expect when you opt to receive dental sedation for your appointment at the dentist!

Your Options for Dental Sedation

A common form of mild dental sedation is nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas. If you aren’t able to relax under nitrous oxide, your dentist may suggest oral sedation.

During oral sedation, your dentist will prescribe a medication, usually a pill, that you’ll take
before you come in for your appointment. Some of these medications are also administered at the dentist office during your appointment orally or intravenously [1].

In the event that you need extensive dental work or have a deep fear of the dentist that
moderate oral or intravenous sedation doesn’t help, you may need to consider general
anesthesia, in which you’ll be completely unconscious for your entire appointment.

General anesthesia may also be considered for children with disabilities who need to receive dental treatment but do not respond well to dentist visits [2].

How You Can Expect to Feel

The goal of sedation dentistry is to provide anxiety relief for patients, so you can expect to feel more relaxed and less nervous with sedation dentistry.

For nitrous oxide, you’ll be awake and aware during your appointment but will feel calm. Oral sedation will relax patients, although they may feel drowsy or groggy. Moderate intravenous sedation may make patients fall asleep but will not induce a deep sleep.

Patients who opt for general anesthesia will be completely or almost completely unconscious during the procedure and will recover at the dental office before going home [3].

What Happens After Your Appointment

Dental sedation can affect everyone differently. The effects of laughing gas don’t last long, so some patients may be able to drive themselves home after their appointment.

However, for more moderate and heavy forms of sedation, you’ll need to have someone drive you to and from your appointment, as the effects of the medication will need time to wear off. During this time, patients can expect to feel sleepy and may not remember the procedure.

Some patients may experience a headache, nausea, or dizziness following their procedure. Your dentist and their staff will be sure you recover from the anesthesia or medication before you go home.

Is Dental Sedation the Right Choice for You?

Dental sedation isn’t for everyone. However, for the right people, dental sedation can make the difference between getting the treatment they need to have a healthy smile and a lifetime of dental issues.

Talk to your dentist about dental sedation to learn more about your options and if sedation could help you relax during your next appointment!

Sources:
1. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/a/anesthesia-and-sedation
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5564153/
3. https://www.dentalfearcentral.org/help/sedation-dentistry/iv-sedation/

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Root canal therapy can help restore a weakened or damaged tooth. During your procedure,
your tooth will be numbed and your dentist will clean out the affected tissue and seal your
tooth, therefore helping to prevent any further problems. But what can you expect after the
procedure? Here’s how to care for a tooth after a root canal.

Use Caution When Eating

It’s important not to attempt to eat until the numbness has worn off from your mouth after
your root canal procedure. When you do eat, do your best to resist chewing on the side of your
mouth that contains the tooth that just had the root canal. Until you receive your permanent
restoration—a porcelain dental crown—you’ll want to put as little stress as possible on your
tooth.

You’ll also want to stick to softer foods during this time. It’s likely your mouth will be tender in
the hours and days after your root canal procedure, so be sure to have softer foods on hand.
It’s essential to avoid crunchy, hard, or sticky foods that could quickly damage your newly
restored tooth.

Keep Up with Your Oral Hygiene

While your tooth is healing, you’ll still need to brush and floss your teeth as normal. In fact,
keeping up with your oral hygiene will help to prevent an infection in your tooth, which is a
complication you’ll want to avoid following your root canal.

Although cleanliness is important, you should also be gentle when brushing your teeth. If your
dentist hasn’t yet advised you to, take this opportunity to get a soft-bristled toothbrush. You
can still brush gently while being thorough during this time of healing for your tooth.

Be Prepared for Some Discomfort

You can and should expect some soreness in the mouth following your root canal. For many
people, over-the-counter pain medication can help manage this discomfort. Your dentist will
prescribe something stronger if necessary.

Eating soft foods and keeping your mouth clean can also help to manage your pain or soreness,
but always follow up with your dentist if you’re concerned about your level of pain.

Always Ask Your Dentist

Keeping in touch with your dentist following your root canal if you have any questions or
concerns can help you have a speedy recovery. Calling your dentist is especially important if you
have increasing pain, swelling, or bleeding following the procedure, all of which should be
addressed by your dentist.

Getting root canal therapy can help save your tooth and alleviate pain from an infected or
damaged tooth. Taking proper care of your tooth following a root canal procedure can help you
recover quickly to enjoy a pain-free smile for life!

The post How to Care for a Tooth After a Root Canal appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

However, it’s understandable that some patients would want to avoid dental anesthesia. Many patients would prefer to avoid having an anesthetic injected into their mouth while some patients are worried about the possibility of a reaction to the anesthesia or being “put under” for a procedure.

Are there alternatives to dental anesthesia? Thanks to modern medicine, there are ways you can receive the treatment you need, pain-free!

Dental Lasers

Dental lasers have traditionally only been used for soft tissue in the oral cavity but can now be used for harder tissue as well. Dental lasers are quiet, do not require anesthesia, and do not cause pain, which helps to alleviate the anxiety many patients feel at having to have their mouth exposed to needles, drills, and other tools.

Lasers also help make dental procedures more effective. Your dentist can work quickly and efficiently to complete your procedure without worrying about your anesthesia wearing off or controlling bleeding. Lasers can help to prepare a tooth for a filling, can be used to reshape gum tissue, and much more.

Dental lasers are rapidly becoming a staple at dental offices in place of traditional anesthesia and are transforming dentistry as well as patient experience at the dentist office.

Electronic Anesthesia

Electronic anesthesia, commonly referred to as Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), a specific form of electronic anesthesia, helps patients to control their pain at the dentist office.

TENS consists of pads that are placed on the outside of your mouth as close as possible to the area that is receiving the dental treatment. These stimulation pads deliver an electrical current that’s controlled by you—you control the amount of stimulation you receive using a device you hold in your hand.

The voltage is very low and provides the benefit of avoiding the risk of reaction to anesthesia, avoiding injections, and also avoiding any side effects—after the pads are removed and the procedure is complete, you can return home with no lasting effects.

Electronic anesthesia helps stop nerves from signaling to the brain that the body is in pain. This procedure is helping patients to take control of their pain management in the dentist’s chair and alleviating the need for traditional anesthesia.

When it comes to receiving anesthesia at the dentist’s office, you aren’t limited to managing your pain in a specific way. Many dental practices are now offering innovative and advanced techniques to help you receive the treatment you need with as little discomfort as possible. Ask your dentist about their experience with lasers or electronic anesthesia to receive the treatment you need for your smile!

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Fortunately, you don’t have to let dental anxiety or dental phobia prevent you from going to
the dentist. With modern sedation options, your dentist may be able to help alleviate your
anxiety during your appointment and get the treatment you need for healthy teeth and gums!

What are your sedation options to help stop dental anxiety when it comes to seeing your
dentist?

Mild Sedation: Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, often referred to as laughing gas, is an inhaled substance that’s used to stop the patient from experiencing pain and anxiety during a procedure.

While inhaling nitrous oxide, you won’t be asleep, but you won’t feel anxious either. Laughing gas is considered to be safe and is used at the majority of dental practices. Nitrous oxide is considered a non-invasive form of sedation as you’ll simply breathe it in through a mask.

The effects of this form of dental sedation are short-lived and you can drive yourself home from the appointment without any lasting effects.

Moderate Sedation: Oral Sedation

If you’d like to be a bit more sedated due to your dental fear or anxiety, you may want to ask your dentist about oral sedation.

During this form of sedation, you’ll be prescribed a pill or a liquid that you’ll take before your appointment. You will need someone to drive you to and from the appointment, but the idea is that you’ll arrive to your appointment relaxed and worry-free.

You may receive other forms of sedation during your treatment as needed to control pain or anxiety, but many people find that this form of conscious sedation helps them to visit their dentist without fear.

Moderate to Heavy Sedation: IV Sedation

Receiving a heavier form of sedation is possible at your dentist’s office with IV sedation, in
which the sedative will be administered directly into your vein for an instantaneous effect.

IV sedation is considered a moderate to heavy form of sedation in which you’ll still be awake and aware, but may feel as though you are asleep. This type of sedation is often used for shorter dental procedures.

As with oral sedation, you will require someone to drive you home from the appointment and may need a bit of time to recover from the sedative following your procedure.

Deep Sedation: General Anesthesia

General anesthesia is the deepest form of sedation you can receive. You’ll essentially be asleep for your entire procedure and may not even recall the procedure. Your dentist or oral surgeon will administer this sedative through an IV.

The effects of general anesthesia have the potential to affect you for hours after your
appointment, so it’s important to plan for this as well as to plan for someone to be waiting for you at the office to take you home.

General anesthesia is typically only considered for dental patients who need oral surgery or for people who for one reason or another do not qualify for other forms of sedation dentistry.

Have you been suffering from dental anxiety or dental phobia and let it prevent you from going to the dentist? You have options for receiving sedation dentistry to get the care you need, even if it’s just a professional teeth cleaning. Talk with your dentist about your sedation options to help alleviate your fear and anxiety at the dentist!

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How can the right dentist help you overcome your dental phobia?

Schedule a Meeting

It’s important to find a dentist you can trust and communicate with regarding your dental
phobia. Find a dentist who cares and is sensitive to your needs and understands that everyone
tolerates pain differently.

Schedule a meeting with a potential dentist to see how you feel about them. This meeting
won’t necessarily be a consultation, it’s just a meeting—tell yourself that you are not going to
get any dental work done, just talk to the dentist to see how you feel about potentially moving
forward.

Review Techniques to Help You Feel More in Control

Once you find a dentist that you like and decide you want to pursue treatment with, you and
your dentist can discuss utilizing techniques to help you feel more in control of your experience
in the dentist’s chair.

One of these techniques is having the dentist explain the procedure to you in detail. This
explanation includes exactly what will happen and even showing you different tools that will be
used and explaining to you their purpose and how long they will be used for and what you can
expect to feel.

You and your dentist can also agree on a signal that you can use when you need a break during
the procedure. Some patients also find it helpful to use headphones to listen to familiar and
relaxing music during the procedure to help them feel calmer.

Consider Sedation Dentistry

If you find that you’re still uncomfortable with the idea of going to the dentist for any type of
treatment, it may be beneficial to find a dentist who utilizes sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentistry is designed specifically for people who experience dental anxiety or dental phobia to help them relax to their comfort level while at the dentist. Many dentists use sedation dentistry to help patients with legitimate fears of the dentist to receive the care that they need.

Your dentist can customize your level of sedation, from lightly relaxed to completely asleep
(general anesthesia). Talking with your dentist about the different types of sedation dentistry
can help you choose the right one for the procedure you need.

If you’re not able to even speak to a dentist or schedule a meeting, it might be helpful to first
seek the help of a counselor or therapist who can talk with you about your fears and work with
you to overcome them.

Dental phobia doesn’t have to stop you from getting your smile taken care of. You have options to overcome your dental phobia to help your smile stay healthy. You can begin by scheduling a meeting with a dentist, or maybe your first step is to speak with a counselor. Dental phobia gets easier once you begin addressing your fears!

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But is dental sedation actually safe for children? Here’s what you need to know when it comes to sedation at the dentist’s office for your child.

Dental Sedation Is Considered to Be Safe

Although dental sedation for children is considered to be safe, there is always a small risk when sedation or anesthesia is involved in a procedure. It’s important to ask any questions you have before the day of the procedure and for both you and your child to be clear about what’s going to happen during the appointment.

Dentists and their staff are required to be properly trained in order to sedate your child. This includes being equipped with monitoring equipment to keep a close eye on their heart and breathing rate as well as their oxygen level. Your dentist office should also have emergency resources on hand in the event that your child suffers a reaction.

The dentist of your choice should always have patient safety in mind, especially when it comes to your child!

Circumstances and Procedures When Used

Dental sedation isn’t taken lightly and is typically not used for procedures such as cleanings and fillings if your child is old enough.

However, if your child is anxious, has trouble sitting still, or suffers from dental phobia, dental sedation may need to be considered. Children who have developmental or physical disabilities may also benefit from dental sedation even during mild procedures such as cleanings.

Children who have strong gag reflexes or a low pain tolerance may also need some form of
sedation. Otherwise, dental sedation is typically only considered in procedures such as root
canals, extractions, and crowns or bridges.

Types of Dental Sedation for Children

There a few different types of dental sedation that your dentist can talk with you about. These include:

 Oral sedation, in which your child will be conscious but relaxed. In this form of sedation,
you’ll typically give your child the medication before leaving for the dentist’s office.

 Nitrous oxide. Also known as laughing gas, this won’t be administered until your child is
in the chair ready for their procedure. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off quickly.

 Intravenous sedation, which involves an IV in the arm and the effects tend to last a bit
longer. This is a deeper form of sedation that is usually only considered under certain
circumstances.

Dental sedation is considered to be safe and is used to protect children during their dental
procedures. The good news is that with proper oral hygiene, your child may never need dental sedation. When considering dental sedation, talk with your dentist about their experience with using dental sedation for certain procedures as well as the needs of your child!

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What Procedures It’s Used In

Laughing gas can be used for any procedure in which the patient feels anxious, has a gag reflex that may prevent dental care, a patient who cannot receive other forms of anesthesia, or children who can’t tolerate dental procedures, such as those with special needs.

Does Laughing Gas Cause Adverse Reactions?

Although reactions from laughing gas are rare, they can happen in some patients. They usually are the result of too much laughing gas or from the gas being inhaled too rapidly. Patients who have reactions may get headaches, feel cold or hot, feel nauseous or need to vomit, or be very tired. Your dentist will ensure you receive the right amount of laughing gas to be comfortable for your procedure.

How Laughing Gas Works

Your dentist will place a small mask—sometimes called a clown nose—over your nose and have you breathe normally through your nose. You will not fall asleep and will still be able to speak with the dentist and respond to questions.

Laughing gas usually takes a few minutes to take effect and the effects begin to wear off as soon as the mask is removed. Once the gas is discontinued, you’ll receive oxygen for about five minutes to help you avoid a headache later. Oxygen also helps to fully get rid of the gas once the effects wear off and your procedure is done!

How Should You Prepare for Laughing Gas?

You should have something on your stomach before your procedure, but eating a big meal isn’t recommended before or after the procedure. You should talk to your dentist about when it’s ok for you to eat or drive following the procedure.

Laughing Gas and Children

Laughing gas is safe for children and is actually the most commonly used form of sedation dentistry for kids. It can be very helpful in relaxing children for procedures that would otherwise be frightening or painful.

Who Should Not Receive Laughing Gas?

Women who are in their first trimester of pregnancy, patients who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a history of substance abuse or mental health concerns should speak with their dentist prior to the procedure about whether or not nitrous oxide will be safe for them to have.

Laughing gas is always used for relatively short procedures and can help keep you relaxed and still while relieving any anxiety you may have. Laughing gas has many advantages as a form of sedation—you can talk with your dentist about whether or not laughing gas would be a good fit for your dental procedure or a dental procedure for your child that requires anesthesia.

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The instruments used to conduct your root canal are different than in the past. They’re thinner, more flexible, and more precise. They allow the procedure to be completed quickly and efficiently in one visit, unlike the several visits it took in the past. These advanced tools make cleaning out the infected tooth pulp easier, therefore maximizing your comfort during the procedure.

Digital X-Rays Make Life Easier

Digital x-rays allow your dentist to see if a root canal is needed, but they also help you receive a faster diagnosis with less radiation exposure. These digital images also enable your dentist or endodontist—a dentist who specializes in saving teeth—to see if your tooth’s root has been totally cleaned out after the process. As a result, getting a root canal these days is much like getting a deep cavity filled!

Anesthesia Is Better

As our methods of anesthesia have improved, your dentist is able to keep you totally comfortable throughout the entire procedure. Local anesthesia is all that’s needed, and many patients only need an over-the- counter pain reliever afterwards rather than heavy sedation with narcotic pain medication. If you’d like to be sedated, you can talk to your endodontist about accommodating your needs.

Materials Are Refined

The materials used during root canal therapy have also been enhanced, from the rinse used to clean out your tooth to the filling used to seal the canal. This leads to more successful procedures among patients and a longer life for your toot canal. Crown technology has also been improved, resulting in a better fit for your unique smile after your tooth has been sealed!

People Engage in Preventative Care

These days, people are aware of the role they play in their own oral care. Home health care techniques have improved in addition to awareness of the importance of dental visits. People visit their dentist more regularly, which makes early detection of a problem with your tooth’s roots easier. When a root canal is needed, the procedure is often less involved and easier to treat.

Root canal therapy is a procedure that’s gotten a bad name, but is not at all what people say it is. Technology has allowed oral care professionals to make your root canal as comfortable and quick as possible. Root canal therapy only takes about an hour—no longer than a professional teeth whitening! If you’ve been avoiding a root canal, now’s the time to talk to your dentist about getting this procedure done to save your tooth!

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