Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?

Oral sedation helps to provide a calm and relaxing environment for patients who dread going to the dentist. It involves taking a small pill that decreases the anxiety or consciousness of the patient, helping them feel calm and comfortable in the dental chair. When receiving the sedative, you are awake and can respond to directions and instructions from the dentist and other members of the dental team. While this medication can be a large benefit to many individuals, some are afraid of the side effects and the safety of the sedative.

Is Oral Sedation Dentistry Safe?

Oral sedation is safe as long as you are cleared for the sedative by the trained individual that will provide the sedative to you. If you are overweight, have abnormal vital signs, or suffer from serious health concerns such as sleep apnea and heart problems, you may not qualify to receive the sedative. Additionally, it is important that you discuss with your dentist any medications you may currently be taking and any known allergies to prevent any type of reaction.

Not just anyone can administer the sedative to you. The dentist must be licensed and certified to administer it. Additionally, when you choose oral sedation, your vitals are monitored continually throughout the procedure to ensure you don’t endure any dangerous side effects of oral sedation..

What are the Side Effects?

While there are serious risks of sedation dentistry that can occur with any type of anesthesia, major complications are rare with oral sedation dentistry in Markham. Many patients will experience some feelings of drowsiness with sleep dentistry. This is common and will wear off throughout the day. You are required to have a ride home from a friend or family member following your appointment due to this common side effect.

Other side effects can include a minor headache. This should go away with basic headache relief medication and should not last long. You may also experience dry mouth and feel like you constantly need a glass of water. Again, this is a side effect that will decrease as the medication wears off.

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe or Right for Me?

While there are some risks to oral sedation dentistry, the benefits outweigh the dangers. Here are some reasons you may want to consider oral sedation:

• You have sensitive teeth
• You need excessive dental work completed
• You have a fear of the dentist
• You have a strong gag reflex
• You have a difficult time sitting still
• The sounds of dental work make you queasy
• You have a fear of local anesthetic

If you suffer from any of the above, or you simply want to make your six-month dental visits more enjoyable, talk to your oral sedation dentist about dental sedation costs and if it is the right choice for you. Oral sedation dentistry is a safe option and can help you make the entire dental sedation experience a little less scary for you or other members of your family.