Oral sedatives are medications often used to calm or relieve anxiety in preparation for a medical or dental procedure. The goal of the medication is not to make the patient unconscious but relatively relaxed enough that they do not move around excessively, which can be harmful during procedures such as endoscopies and colonoscopies. Sedatives are effective because they affect the central nervous system and work on the subconscious mind to relieve anxiety. If you develop anxiety at the thought of visiting a dentist, a dentist specializing in oral sedation in Newport Beach can help you out.
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Why is Oral Sedation Important?
Many patients fear the dentist, but many medical procedures require it. Oral sedation is used to relieve anxiety in preparation for a dental practice; however, it can calm or relieve stress before other medical or dental procedures. Sedatives work on the subconscious mind to ease any anxieties or worries that you may have. Sedatives are essential for many reasons, but they are beneficial if you suffer from intense anxiety when visiting the dentist.
If you develop intense feelings of dread at the thought of seeing your dentist, sedatives can help calm your fears so your dental procedure is more comfortable and relaxing. Oral sedation dentistry is used on patients who suffer from extreme dental anxiety.
Why Do Patients Get Anxious About Visiting the Dentist?
Many people develop anxiety towards dentists and dental procedures because of past experiences they’ve had with their dentist, an unpleasant memory associated with a previous procedure, or just because they dislike going to see the dentist in general. Patients also develop anxiety when they feel their dental health is in jeopardy. This anxiety is caused by fear of the dentist, which can be treated with oral sedation.
Benefits of Sedatives Dentistry
Studies have shown that many people experience less pain and are more relaxed when using oral sedatives. Not only that, but these studies have also shown that people are more likely to follow through with their dental treatments if they use oral sedatives. This is important for overall health because not following through on dental procedures can lead to future problems such as infection and disease.
Who Can Benefit from Sedation Dentistry?
Oral sedatives are especially beneficial if you have severe dental anxiety or need to be sedated for an extended period. Oral sedatives can also help patients who do not wish to go through general anesthesia. It would be best if you talked with your dentist about the specific risks and benefits of using oral sedatives before getting any treatments done.
What Are the Risks?
The most common side effects of oral sedatives are nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, dry mouth, and drowsiness. These side effects should dissipate after the first couple hours following your treatment.
To summarize, sedation dentistry is a type of dentistry that involves the administration of sedatives to help patients feel more relaxed during treatment. If you develop anxiety when visiting your dentist or getting a dental treatment, you may benefit from oral sedation. It can help reduce the amount of pain you feel throughout the procedure. If you have severe dental anxiety or do not want to undergo general anesthesia, you may need it. It comes with some side effects such as nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, and drowsiness.