If the idea of undergoing dental procedures makes you feel uncomfortable or even a little scared, rest assured that your dentist wants to help! As you express your concerns, your care team might recommend that you use oral conscious sedation during your next treatment. How does this provision work, and who is a good candidate for it? This blog post provides some helpful information.
An Overview of Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is one of the easiest ways to reach new levels of comfort in the dental office. You will take a prescribed medication in pill form before your appointment. This medication will not put you fully to sleep, but it will help you feel calm and less aware of the activity around you. Throughout your visit, you should remain alert enough to respond to your dentist’s instructions, but you may remember very little about the procedure afterward.
Traits of a Good Candidate
You may be a good candidate for oral conscious sedation if you:
- Experience moderate to severe dental anxiety or fear.
- Have a history of traumatic dental experiences.
- Need extensive dental work completed in a single visit.
- Struggle with a sensitive gag reflex.
- Have difficulty sitting comfortably for extended periods.
- Are in good general health without major medical concerns.
Your dentist will review your health history and current medications to decide if this option is appropriate for your situation.
Who Is Not a Good Candidate?
Oral conscious sedation is a great provision for many patients, but it is not suitable for everyone. You might not be a good candidate if you:
- Suffer from certain medical conditions, such as severe respiratory or heart issues.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Take medications that could interact with the sedative.
- Have a known allergy to the prescribed sedative.
- Struggle with substance abuse disorders.
If any of these apply to you, your dentist will discuss alternative options for your comfort and safety. For example, local anesthesia is safe for virtually everyone. Your dentist may also be able to adjust their techniques so they are extra gentle and careful during the procedure.
Talk to Your Dentist to Learn More
The only way to learn for sure if oral conscious sedation is right for you is by attending a consultation with your dentist. They want you to have an easy care experience, so you can rely on them to do everything in their power to make you comfortable.
Meet the Practice
At Baldwin Family Dental, our team is home to three highly skilled dentists. One of them, Dr. Waheed, has even completed extensive training in the use of oral sedation. If you are nervous about dental procedures or simply want to learn more about how we can help you have a more comfortable care experience, contact our Panama City office at 850-215-0128.