Dental Sedation Aftereffects: How to Navigate the Recovery with Ease

Going to the dentist is no one's description of a fun day—while it pains us, we understand that's the sad truth. Still, regular dental visits are necessary to ensure your mouth is free of diseases or bacteria and to stop serious issues before they progress. For that reason, you should find a sedation dentist in Colorado Springs who can help you feel at ease during your appointment.

Dental sedation is completely safe, but you can experience certain aftereffects during recovery. To help you understand what to expect and recover healthily, we've created these tips.

Understanding Types of Sedation and Its Aftereffects

Nitrous Oxide

For minor dental procedures and for patients with dental anxiety, particularly children, nitrous oxide is a mild sedative option. The sedative is inhaled through a small mask.

It keeps you composed during the procedure and helps lower anxiety.

• How to Recover from Nitrous Oxide

The effects wear off immediately after administration is interrupted, so you can usually resume your daily activities shortly after your appointment. You can return to work or school and even drive yourself home.

Oral Sedation

Oral sedation can achieve a more profound feeling of relaxation. Before your appointment, we will give you a prescription, which you should take exactly as directed. It's a great choice for patients having more involved procedures or those with mild dental anxiety.

• How to Recover from Oral Sedation

You may feel sleepy or disoriented after dental treatment as the sedative effect wears off. To avoid any issues, you must be careful and follow these recovery tips:

• Rest is Key: Avoid any physically demanding activities for the remainder of the day.

• Have a Companion: Make arrangements for a responsible adult to drive you home and spend a few hours with you, as your reflexes and judgment may be compromised.

• Keep an Eye on Your Symptoms: Mild fatigue, dry mouth, or dizziness are common. If any symptoms worsen or continue after a day, consult your dentist.

• Keep Yourself Hydrated: Avoid using straws because they cause pain, but drink plenty of water to help your body rid itself of the sedative.

IV Sedation

For complex treatments or people with extreme anxiety, this option is perfect because it provides a deep level of sedation when administered intravenously. Throughout the procedure, our staff closely monitors your vital signs to guarantee your safety.

• How to Recover from IV Sedation

You may feel extremely drowsy and occasionally even disoriented after receiving IV sedation. Deep relaxation is induced, frequently to the point where you forget the process once it is finished.  

Luckily, with proper aftercare, recovery becomes seamless. Here are some strategies to facilitate this process:

• Make Rest and Hydration a Priority: Avoid physically demanding activities for at least 24 hours to give your body enough time to process the medications.

• Watch for Side Effects: Common sedative medication side effects include drowsiness, mild confusion, or mild nausea. These effects usually go away in a day. Call your dentist immediately if you have severe swelling, fever, or persistent dizziness.

• Make Plans for Help: After treatment, it is dangerous to drive or operate machinery because sedatives impair judgment and motor skills. Make plans for a reliable friend or family member to accompany you home and offer assistance during the first 12 to 24 hours.

• Avoid Alcohol, Tobacco, and Caffeine: For at least 24 hours after treatment, abstain from drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages. These drugs have the potential to irritate the treatment area and counteract the effects of sedatives. Likewise, abstain from tobacco use, which can impede the healing process and raise the risk of infection.

Experience Painless Dental Procedures with a Sedation Dentist in Colorado Springs

Nowadays, dental sedation options are a completely safe and efficient method of lessening discomfort and anxiety among patients during dental procedures. This not only prevents unnecessary trauma but also helps us conduct procedures quickly and easily.

Still, proper post-sedation care is necessary to ensure a smooth recovery, depending on the method used. If you need dental treatment, but are nervous about pain and discomfort, Esthetic Family Dentistry can help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!