How to Prepare for Sedation Dentistry

Visiting the dentist may not be your idea of a good time. In fact, you may feel downright anxious or afraid of going. However, with a sedation dentistry procedure, you can get all the necessary work done on your teeth without dealing with any of the stress and pain. 

While it’s important to prepare appropriately for any dental procedure, there are specific essential steps you should follow to prepare for sedation dentistry. Keep these tips in mind before your sedation dentistry appointment:

1. Avoid Eating or Drinking Before Your Appointment

Prior to your procedure, you should avoid eating or drinking for at least eight hours. To make it easier on yourself, consider scheduling your appointment as early in the morning as possible. Keep in mind this is a general guideline. Talk to your dentist about specific restrictions regarding what you are and aren’t allowed to eat and how long you should fast prior to your appointment.

2. Wear Loose and Comfortable Clothing

Regardless of the weather, consider wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt to your appointment. You may be receiving an IV, or the nurse may want to check your vital signs, so having easy access to your arms is important. If it’s cold outside, wear layers you can put on and take off when necessary. 

However, whatever you wear, make sure it’s comfortable. Also, avoid wearing any type of jewelry such as watches, earrings, or bracelets. If you wear them to the office, you’ll likely have to take them off and store them during the procedure.

3. Arrange a Ride Home

While you may feel capable of driving after your appointment, it’s not a good idea—and will likely not be allowed. Sedation can leave you groggy and imbalanced after the procedure. Ask a family member, friend, or partner to join you at your appointment, even if you’re taking alternate transportation there. It’s best to have someone to keep an eye on you as the sedation wears off. 

Additionally, if you are taking your child to a sedation dentistry appointment, you might want to bring a third person who can sit next to them in the car on the way home.

If you or your child struggle with dental anxiety, it’s important to find the right sedation dentist to receive dental care without anxiety or pain. Don’t let fear get in the way of having a beautiful, healthy smile. 

Lasting Smiles Dental Care uses individual sedation techniques as well as combo sedation involving sedative pills, laughing gas, and IV medications. Contact Lasting Smiles to get more information about our sedation dentistry procedures or set up an appointment.