Are you the type of person that has to spend a day or two hyping yourself up before calling to schedule a dental appointment? Do you always wait until something feels off or is hurting? Have you had to fight the urge to cancel appointments? If any of this sounds familiar, you are far from alone. Millions of Americans deal with dental anxiety, but fortunately, today’s dentists have more ways than ever to help you stay calm and cool while in the chair. One of the simplest is oral conscious sedation, and to find out more about how it works, keep reading.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
While the term “oral conscious sedation” might be a mouthful, the way it works is quite simple. After having a discussion with their dentist, a patient is prescribed an anti-anxiety medication to take on the day of their appointment. Usually in the form of a pill, it is ingested at home, after someone arrives at the office, or both depending on someone’s needs. This lowers someone’s mental stress, helps them physically relax, and makes time fly by quickly during their treatment. They will remain awake throughout their visit, but a patient typically only has fuzzy memories of their experience afterward.
Who Could Benefit from Oral Conscious Sedation?
While oral conscious sedation is most often recommended for patients with moderate to severe dental fear, it can also assist those who:
- Need a complex procedure completed
- Want multiple treatments done in a single appointment
- Don’t get adequately numb from local anesthetic
- Experience neck or back pain when sitting for a long time
- Have trouble opening their jaw or keeping it open
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
- Have very sensitive teeth
- Don’t like the sights, smells, or sounds of a dental office
It All Begins with a Conversation
The truth is that if you don’t like going to the dentist for any reason, the best thing you can do is simply tell your dentist. They aren’t there to judge, but rather help by removing any obstacles between you and the treatments you need. After discussing your needs and goals, they’ll be able to suggest a variety of solutions that could make your visit more comfortable and productive. Oral conscious sedation is just one option, but it’s far from the only one they have to offer!
About the Author
Dr. Ben Sutter received his dental doctorate from the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, and he has proudly served patients and families in Eugene, OR for several years. His practice is pleased to offer a wide range of treatments, including oral conscious sedation for nervous patients. If you have any questions about the article, would like to schedule a visit, or simply talk to Dr. Sutter, you can contact him through his website or over the phone at (541) 515-7279.