{"id":1662,"date":"2017-06-06T11:38:29","date_gmt":"2017-06-06T11:38:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.joshuahongdds.com\/?p=1662"},"modified":"2025-08-26T12:54:27","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T12:54:27","slug":"planning-oral-sedation-dentistry-tell-dentist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodmandentalgoodyear.com\/blog\/planning-oral-sedation-dentistry-tell-dentist\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning for Oral Sedation Dentistry: What to Tell Your Dentist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A lot of people feel anxiety, worry or even pure terror before a dental appointment<\/a>, even if they\u2019re just going in for teeth cleaning. Some are so afraid that they avoid checkups even when they have tooth or gum problems, which get worse if they\u2019re neglected. Sedation dentistry is a common solution for dealing with dental anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Sedation Dentistry<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In sedation dentistry, medication is used to help anxious patients relax and feel at ease during a dental procedure. It\u2019s also known as \u201csleep dentistry\u201d, but doesn\u2019t always involve general anesthesia. The level of sedation depends upon the severity of your fear as well as how invasive the dental procedure will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sedation levels include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Minimal sedation, where you\u2019re awake but feel relaxed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Moderate sedation, where you\u2019re conscious but may not remember much of the procedure, and speech may be slurred.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Deep sedation, where you\u2019re barely conscious. You may even fall asleep but the dentist can wake you with a gentle shake.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. General anesthesia, where you\u2019re completely unconscious and will not awaken until the medication wears off.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Your dentist may use one of these types of sedation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Inhaled sedation, where you breathe in nitrous oxide or \u201claughing gas\u201d.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Oral sedation, where you take a pill about an hour before the procedure to help you feel relaxed or drowsy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. IV sedation, where medication is injected into your veins and controlled by the dentist.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Oral sedation is the most common choice, and can be used for minimal to moderate sedation. It\u2019s generally combined with a local anesthetic to prevent pain or discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      What to Let Your Dentist Know before Oral Sedation Dentistry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      While oral sedation dentistry is safe, you need to provide your dentist with a complete health history in advance. Here\u2019s what to include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n