Don’t let your anxiety keep you from caring for your teeth. Ask us if you or your child are a candidate for conscious sedation. We are happy to make you comfortable in order to promote your overall dental health!
If you feel fear, apprehension or embarrassment when you are sitting in the dental chair, you are not alone. Many patients experience moderate to severe feelings of fear or anxiety surrounding their dental appointments.
Mountainside Family Dentistry is dedicated to maximizing your comfort & eliminating your worries so you can get the treatment you need without any hassle.
What Is Oral Conscious Sedation (For Adults)?
Adult patients who feel uncomfortable or anxious about their dental treatment can choose to receive oral conscious sedation. This involves taking a prescribed anti-anxiety pill about an hour before your dental appointment begins. If you need extensive work done or have not been to a dentist in a while, this may be a great option.
Oral sedation is not meant to knock you out. Instead, it will just relax you while the dentist works on your teeth. You will still be awake & able to respond to the dentist if they ask you any questions. Patients typically report feeling drowsy, carefree & generally “out of it.”
The medications used for oral sedation are called benzodiazepines. Doctors normally prescribe these medications for anxiety & panic disorders, which makes them very useful for adult patients who experience fear in the dental chair.
Who can receive Oral Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation at our office is offered exclusively for adults. Women who are nursing or pregnant should not receive oral sedation. Patients with heart, lung or liver diseases should consult with their dentist or primary care doctor before undergoing oral sedation.
For anxious or fearful children, we do not prescribe oral sedation pills—instead, we offer gentle nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) to help reduce your child’s discomfort & establish a positive association with dental care.
Oral Sedation Overview (For Adults)
- Benzodiazepines may negatively interact with other medications. Be sure to let us know in advance about any prescriptions, over-the-counter products or dietary supplements you are taking. You must also avoid consuming alcohol before & after you receive oral sedation, because the combined sedative effects can be very dangerous.
- Before your appointment, we recommend that you refrain from eating anything or drinking any non-clear liquids for at least six hours. Eating shortly before you take the medication may reduce its effectiveness & can cause nausea.
- You may have trouble remembering all of your procedure, which some patients find to be a good thing. Our team will monitor your level of sedation as well as your vital signs to ensure your total comfort & safety.
- Once your treatment is finished, you will not be able to drive home. Benzodiazepines inhibit your judgment & coordination much like alcohol, so you will need a friend or family member to drive you to & from your appointment. It is normal to feel groggy & tired once the medication begins to wear off.
- You should refrain from driving or operating heavy machinery for at least 24 hours after receiving oral sedation.
What Is Nitrous Oxide Sedation (For Children)?
At our practice, we use gentle nitrous oxide gas to ease children’s nerves & keep them calm while they undergo dental procedures. Nitrous oxide, also referred to as “laughing gas,” is a gentle, time-tested option for pediatric dental anxiety that is safe, effective & has very few side effects.
Nitrous oxide is not meant to put your child to sleep. Instead, it gently relaxes them while the dentist cares for their teeth. Your child will still be awake & able to respond to the dentist throughout the visit. Children who receive nitrous oxide in the dental chair typically feel calm, comfortable & at ease.
Who can receive Nitrous Oxide Sedation?
Children can safely receive nitrous oxide for their dental treatments. While nitrous oxide is very safe, a few patients may experience mild nausea or headaches if they eat a heavy meal right before their visit. To avoid nausea, it is a good idea to have only a light meal a couple hours before the procedure. If your child begins to feel dizzy or uncomfortable at any point, we can immediately adjust the gas or switch to 100% oxygen. All in all, negative side effects from nitrous oxide sedation are neither severe nor common.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation Overview (For Children)
- When we administer nitrous oxide, we place a small, comfortable mask over your child’s nose that delivers a gentle stream of air.
- After that, it is as simple as regular breathing through the nose!
- The mask will first deliver 100% oxygen & then gradually introduce nitrous oxide. Your child should feel relaxed within just a couple of minutes.
- During the procedure, the dentist can adjust the level at any time, & our staff will monitor your child throughout treatment to ensure they are safe & comfortable.
- When treatment is finished, we administer pure oxygen for several minutes so the effects of the laughing gas wear off right away before your child heads home with you!
