Just the thought of sitting on the dentist’s chair may send some cold chills down the spine of various people. Scores of people suffer from dental-related fears or anxieties. They may need sedation dentistry in San Antonio, TX, to keep them calm enough to receive the much-needed oral care.
On the other hand, you may need to undergo an invasive treatment that may require some level of sedation so that you may have a comfortable visit.
In either case, you will need to prepare for your appointment with our dentist in 78209 to ensure that you have an excellent day. That being said, our dentist in San Antonio, TX, has provided some nuggets of wisdom that can help you plan with your appointment in mind.
Drink Plenty of Fluids the Day Before
Being hydrated is essential in everyday life. It helps your body regulate temperature, prevent infections, keep the joints lubricated, deliver nutrients to the cells, and ensure that all your organs are functioning well.
So, you will need to drink lots of fluids prior to your dental visit. Take no less than eight glasses of water and if you have an active lifestyle, drink a bit more. This is essential since you will not be allowed to eat or drink anything on the day of your sedation. So it is in your best interests that you arrive when you are hydrated.
Empty Your Stomach
When you need to undergo sedation, the number one rule is not to eat anything at least six to 12 hours before the procedure. This means that you must eat nothing from the stroke of midnight the night before your appointment, especially if your appointment is around midday.
This will ensure that your stomach is empty. You might be wondering why this is essential. When you undergo sedation, you might experience nausea and might even vomit from the “floaty” feeling that kicks in after being sedated.
The only exception is if you have to take medication. If this is the case, you can wash it down with a sip of water.
Wear Comfortable Clothes
You need to wear comfortable clothes to make sure that it is something that you can even sleep in. Also, you will need something that will not make you feel restrained. This means that you will have to avoid scratchy seams, binding waistbands, and stiff garments that will easily become wrinkled.
Also, you will need to avoid wearing high-heels for obvious reasons. You don’t want to come out of sedation, are still drowsy and have high heels. In either case, be as comfortable as you possibly can to avoid unnecessary stress.
Bring Someone to Take You Home
If you come for treatment and sedation is involved, always know that you will not be fit to drive afterward. If you drive yourself to our office, you will need someone to come and pick you up; you can come for your car the following day.
Therefore, the prudent thing for you to do would be to have a family member or a friend bring you to the office and then drive you back home. It is also good to have someone tagging along since you might be in the office for some time. Advice them to come with a book or phone charger to keep them occupied while waiting for you.
Leave Your Afternoon Open
When you come to our office for the dental appointment, you might need to clear the rest of your afternoon. Don’t make any serious plans after your appointment. Even though the sedation was mild, you shouldn’t operate heavy machinery or do anything that requires a lot of thinking.
Instead, take the afternoon off, go out for ice cream, watch a movie, or spend time with friends and family. Don’t go back to work or drive; it might not go so well.
How Sedation Dentistry Differs From Anesthesia
Most people may assume that sedation and anesthesia are the same things. However, these two are different. Sedation uses certain medications to help you relax and be at ease when you are receiving treatment.
On the other hand, anesthesia is used to numb a specific area, not to feel pain. General anesthesia is only used when undergoing invasive treatments because it renders you unconscious.
If you still need some more clarification, contact us at Terrell Hills Dental, and our dentist in San Antonio, TX, will help you.