Many people feel nervous when it comes to sitting in the dentist’s chair, but more severe dental anxiety can potentially negatively affect your oral health. For instance, your fear might be so overwhelming that you avoid scheduling appointments for everything from routine care to more complex procedures required to preserve your smile.
Many dentists offer medications to help you feel calmer, but you might avoid this service, too, if you’ve heard misinformation about what’s involved. Continue reading to learn more about 3 myths about dental sedation you shouldn’t believe!
Myth #1: There’s Only One Kind
It’s natural to think that your oral healthcare provider utilizes the same general anesthesia the hospital does for major procedures and surgeries, but that’s not necessarily the case. There are multiple types of medications that can be used to help you relax while at your dentist’s office.
Although not all providers offer each option, there are three main types of dental sedation. They are:
- Nitrous oxide. Also known as laughing gas, this is inhaled through a gas mask placed over your nose. It causes a euphoric sensation and sometimes tingling limbs that kicks in moments after inhaling the drug and dissipates just as quickly when you stop breathing it in.
- Oral conscious. This refers to a pill that’s prescribed with orders to take about an hour before arriving for your appointment so the effects kick in by the time your procedure begins.
- IV sedation. This is administered directly to your bloodstream to offer a deeper level of relaxion than the other options, and tends to linger longer afterwards so you’ll likely need someone to help get you home.
Myth #2: You’ll Be ‘Knocked Out’
Some patients who already feel anxious are afraid of sedation because they worry they’ll be rendered unconscious for their appointment, increasing their sense of vulnerability that worsens their anxiety.
However, dental sedation doesn’t usually put you to sleep. It’s intended to reduce your body’s capacity to react to external stimuli and help you feel calmer and more comfortable, not ‘knock you out’. With that said, it’s possible to feel so relaxed that you naturally doze off during your procedure.
Myth #3: You’ll Share All Your Secrets
Another common concern is that the dental sedative will function like a truth serum and have you sharing all your most intimate secrets with your dentist. Fortunately, that’s not usually the case! The medications are intended to keep you awake and aware enough that you can respond to your provider’s directions or questions, and therefore are unlikely to lose complete control of what you’re saying.
Rest assured, even if you do say something silly or awkward, your dentist is likely more concerned with completing your procedure successfully than for judging you while medicated!
If you’re still unsure whether dental sedation is right for you, the only way to find out is to consult your dentist directly!
Meet the Author
Dr. Caleb Goodman enjoys helping patients in Goodyear build and maintain beautiful, healthy smiles. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from Midwestern University, and today, stays on top of the latest technology and techniques through active participation in the Arizona Dental Association. He offers a comprehensive menu of services, including multiple types of sedation, to meet all your needs under one roof. If you’re anxious about an upcoming appointment and are interested in the available options, you can request a consultation on the website or call (623) 925-8822.