{"id":116,"date":"2024-08-03T15:58:32","date_gmt":"2024-08-03T15:58:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/?p=116"},"modified":"2024-08-24T16:01:39","modified_gmt":"2024-08-24T16:01:39","slug":"torpor-truths-3-myths-about-dental-sedation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/torpor-truths-3-myths-about-dental-sedation\/","title":{"rendered":"Torpor Truths: 3 Myths About Dental Sedation"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"202\" src=\"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_500193735-300x202.jpg\" alt=\"Woman with dark hair with eyes open while dentist places nitrous oxide mask\" class=\"wp-image-117\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_500193735-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_500193735-1024x689.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_500193735-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_500193735-1536x1033.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_500193735.jpg 1859w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Did you know that an estimated 36% of Americans experience anxiety when it comes to dental appointments? In fact, some people are so scared that their fear keeps them from getting the essential care they need to maintain a happy, healthy smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You might hesitate to schedule a checkup or undergo a more complex procedure when you\u2019re overwhelmed with worry. Your dentist can provide <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/sedation-dentistry.html\">sedatives<\/a> to help you feel more relaxed throughout your visit, but unfortunately, many patients refuse these services because they have a false understanding of what\u2019s involved. Continue reading to learn about three common myths about dental sedation and the truths behind them so you can set your concerns aside!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Myth #1: It\u2019s Reserved for Complex Cases<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not uncommon for patients to grow more nervous when their provider suggests sedation because they assume the medications are only used in the most extreme circumstances. While your doctor might only offer them for more invasive surgeries, the same isn\u2019t necessarily true for your dentist. They might suggest these services to help anyone who:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Experiences moderate to severe dental anxiety.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Has difficulties sitting still for longer periods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is allergic or resistant to topical anesthetics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Will be undergoing a more complex or lengthy procedure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is receiving multiple treatments in a single appointment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Myth #2: There\u2019s Only One Type<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Several medications can be used for dental sedation, and each requires different levels of training and licensing to administer. Your dentist might offer a single method or several, depending on their qualifications. They\u2019ll let you know which they think best suits your unique circumstances. The three common types include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Nitrous oxide (laughing gas).<\/strong> This may be the most widely used option because it\u2019s considered the safest for the greatest number of people. It\u2019s delivered through a mask that\u2019s placed over your nose for the duration of your appointment, and the effects wear off within minutes of its removal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Oral conscious sedation.<\/strong> Your dentist can write a prescription for this pill, which you\u2019ll be instructed to take before your visit so the drug kicks in by the time we begin working on your teeth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>IV (intravenous) sedation.<\/strong> This is considered the most potent medication and is administered directly to your bloodstream. You likely won\u2019t remember the details of your procedure and will need someone to drive you home afterward.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Myth #3: It \u201cKnocks You Out\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You might avoid sedatives if you\u2019re worried that they\u2019ll render you comatose right away, but that\u2019s usually not the case. For example, laughing gas induces a happy, euphoric sensation that\u2019s more likely to leave you giggling than unconscious. With oral conscious sedation, you might feel relaxed enough to drift off, but usually, you\u2019re awake enough to follow your dentist\u2019s instructions or answer their questions. The goal isn\u2019t to put you to sleep necessarily but to help you feel calm and comfortable enough to make it through your visit successfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your dental anxiety has kept you from getting the care you need, ask your dentist whether they provide sedatives that can help!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Ashraf Seif has 20+ years of experience helping people enhance their lives by improving their oral health. He obtained his first dental degree in Syria where he grew up, and then graduated from the Loma Linda School of Dentistry after relocating to the U.S. He has since completed additional hours of ongoing education in oral sedation, so you can trust that you\u2019re in good hands. He combines a caring, compassionate approach with state-of-the-art equipment to enhance your comfort and provide accurate, long-lasting results. To learn more about dental sedation options, you can contact the office on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/contact.html\">website<\/a> or call (281) 837-9122.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Did you know that an estimated 36% of Americans experience anxiety when it comes to dental appointments? In fact, some people are so scared that their fear keeps them from getting the essential care they need to maintain a happy, healthy smile. You might hesitate to schedule a checkup or undergo a more complex procedure [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-116","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=116"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":118,"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116\/revisions\/118"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=116"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=116"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}