How Oral Sedation Can Calm Your Dental Anxiety

Do you feel anxious when it's time to visit the dentist? You're not alone. Many people experience dental anxiety, which can lead to avoiding necessary dental procedures and negatively impacting their oral health. Fortunately, there is a solution that can help calm your nerves and make your dental visits more comfortable: oral sedation. 

What is Oral Sedation?

Oral sedation is a medication that helps calm patients before dental procedures. The medication can be taken in pill form and administered at home before the appointment or given on-site by your dentist. Oral sedatives are different from general anesthesia, which puts you to sleep for the entire procedure.

Pros of Oral Sedation

One of the main advantages of oral sedation is its ease of use. Patients simply take a pill before their appointment, which eliminates the need for injections or IVs. Additionally, oral sedatives are generally less expensive than other forms of sedation.

Oral sedation is a safe and effective way to alleviate dental anxiety and make your visit more comfortable.

What to Expect When Receiving Oral Sedation

When receiving oral sedation, it's normal to feel nervous or anxious about what to expect. However, understanding the process can help alleviate some of those concerns.

Before your appointment, you will typically receive instructions from your dentist on how to prepare for the procedure. This may include fasting beforehand and arranging transportation to and from the office, as you may not be able to drive after taking the medication. Once at the dental office, you will take a pill that contains a sedative medication. It's important to note that these medications do not induce sleep, but rather they help relax patients during their appointment.

After taking the medication, it can take up to an hour for its full effects to kick in, so it is recommended that patients arrive early before any procedures are scheduled. During this time, you'll be monitored by dental staff, who will check your blood pressure and pulse rate regularly. Once fully relaxed and comfortable with oral sedation, your dentist can perform any necessary procedures without causing undue stress or anxiety. Many people find oral sedation effective in helping them overcome their fear of going to the dentist while having a positive experience during their visit.

Though, we believe that oral sedation has helped countless patients overcome their fear of the dentist and get the care they need without undue stress or worry. If you suffer from dental anxiety yourself, we encourage you to speak with your dentist about whether oral sedation might be a good option for you too!

Visit AC Dentistry at 7350 Cahaba Valley Rd. #106, Birmingham, AL 35242, or call (205) 533-6799 for the best dental care.