What Should You Not Do Before Sedation?

What Should You Not Do Before Sedation?

November 1, 2022

Just the thought of visiting our dentist can send some cold chills down the spines of certain people. Dental anxiety or phobia is nothing new. In fact, it is quite common and has led to countless people shunning receiving much-needed dental care.

That’s why we offer sedation dentistry in Whitby, ON, to help our patients with dental anxiety to be calm enough to receive dental care.

On the other hand, you may have a dental issue that needs invasive treatment, so some level of sedation will be required to ensure you are comfortable during the procedure.

Whether you are battling dental anxiety, have a sensitive gag reflex, or need to undergo invasive dental treatment, you will need to prepare for your appointment.

Here are some things you shouldn’t do before you undergo sedation.

Ignore Taking Plenty of Fluids the Day Before

Being hydrated is vital for life. Water keeps the joints lubricated, regulates body temperature, delivers nutrients to the cells, prevents infections, ensures your organs function well, and so on.

That’s why you must stay hydrated. But you will need to take at least eight glasses or more if you lead an active lifestyle before the dental appointment. You must take fluids the day before because you will not be allowed to take any fluids the day of your sedation. So, you will do yourself a huge favor when you take fluids the day before.

Eating Prior to the Appointment

The number one rule when you are about to undergo sedation is that you shouldn’t eat anything at least six to 12 hours prior to your procedure. So, if your appointment is at midday, you shouldn’t eat anything from the stroke of midnight.

The reason you shouldn’t eat anything prior to sedation is that it is highly likely that you might experience nausea and even vomit after the sedative kicks in.

The only exception is if you need to take medication, you can wash it down with a sip of water.

Drive Yourself After Sedation

If you are coming for a dental appointment and sedation is involved, always know that you will not be fit to drive after the procedure. If you drive to our office, you will need someone else to drive you home.

The problem is that most sedatives take time before they leave your system. You can experience some after-effects 12 or even 24 hours after the procedure. Therefore, your judgment will be a bit clouded; your coordination may be a bit skewed. So, to avoid unnecessary accidents or incidents, you should let someone take you home.

The only exception to this rule is when you undergo inhalation sedation. Laughing gas is mild, and its effects will wear off immediately after removing the mask.

Wear Snug or Uncomfortable Clothes

Always bear in mind that sedation will impair your judgment or even render you semi-conscious or unconscious, depending on the level of sedation. Therefore, you might drift in and out of sleep. At times, you might even sleep. So, wearing uncomfortable or snug clothes might make the process unpleasant.

Also, if you wear high heels, you might have difficulty navigating since you might feel drowsy. So, you should try to be as comfortable as possible to avoid unnecessary stress.

Have an Activity-Packed Day

Before your dental appointment, you need to clear the rest of your afternoon. Don’t have an activity-filled day. Make no serious plans for the rest of the afternoon after your appointment. Even though you think the sedation effects have worn off, you shouldn’t try to operate heavy machinery or do anything that needs much thinking.

Instead, take the afternoon off, watch a movie, go out for ice cream, and spend time with family and friends. Don’t drive, work or do anything strenuous; things might not go well with you.

We Are Here For You

The above list can act as a guideline to help you determine your plans to ensure that you have a stress-free dental appointment. In any case, we will be with you every step of the way. Consult with our painless dentists at DSV Dental Brooklin Village if you have any questions.

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