What is Oral Pre-Medication How Does it Help Nervous Patients
Many people feel nervous to see the dentist. It can prevent them from seeing the dentist and receiving the treatment. Oral pre-medication can help these nervous patients. It helps to reduce anxiety and feel calm and relaxed before and during the dental treatment. Oral pre-medication is safe and has a few side effects, which go in one or two days. It is the best option for people who have needle fear and for children.
Many dentists recommend oral pre-medication to work faster as the patient is calm during treatment. It saves you time and money as you have fewer treatment visits. So, if you are a nervous patient who hates to see a dentist, talk to your dentist. They will help you find the best option for you. So you can be calm and relaxed and feel no pain during your dental treatment. Read on to learn more about oral pre-medication and how it can help nervous patients.
What is Oral Pre-Medication?
Oral pre-medication helps you feel calm, relaxed and at ease during dental procedures. It has a moderate level of sedation, so technically, you are still awake but feeling carefree. It is also called conscious sedation dentistry or “twilight sleep”. Oral pre-medication causes short-term amnesia (forgetfulness). You are in a state where you feel insensitivity to pain being in the consciousness.
Who Needs Oral Pre-Medication?
Oral pre-medication can help nervous patients of all ages, including children. Mostly, dentists recommend oral pre-medication for people with:
- A fear of visiting the dentist.
- Dental anxiety.
- A fear of needles.
- An overly sensitive gag reflex.
- Difficulty controlling movements.
- Extreme teeth sensitivity.
- Decreased sensitivity to local anaesthesia.
- Who experience claustrophobia while sitting in the dentist’s chair.
- Special needs (physical, behavioural, or congenital)
What Types of Oral Pre-medication Are Used?
Oral pre-medication is safe and has few side effects. The level of consciousness in oral sedation depends on the amount provided and varies from mild to moderate. Moderate oral sedation causes drowsiness, and patients fall asleep throughout the procedure. There are different types of oral pre-medication. Your dentist will choose which is best for you depending on factors like your anxiety level, the procedure length, health history and personal preferences. Your dentist gives you a pill about an hour before your procedure begins. Here, we share the details you must know about each of them.
1-Triazolam
Most dentists use this medication. Belongs to benzodiazepines, it is mostly used for treating insomnia as it helps you fall asleep faster and stay asleep. When used for oral sedation, it can decrease anxiety during dental procedures. Its results can last a few hours and may cause amnesia and sedation before procedures. Your dentist may prefer it because of the low to moderate risk of dependence on others.
2-Diazepam
It belongs to the benzodiazepine family, and it works by helping your nervous system calm down. It is used to treat anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, seizures, and muscle spasms or twitches. It produces mild sleep and amnesia and takes effect for about an hour.
3-Zaleplon
Zaleplon has quick action and releases time with a few side effects. Belongs to central nervous system depressants, which slow down the nervous system. It works on your GABA receptors in the brain to bring the drowsy sensation. So you may not feel pain during the procedure. You can communicate with your dentists while you are calm and sleepy.
4-Lorazepam
Lorazepam is used for tooth extraction, especially when extracting molars. It helps dentists with procedures where the dentist wants you to not feel pain for long. Its sedative effects can last 10-12 hours. It causes moderate sedation and effectively treats patients with high dental anxiety levels.
5-Midazolam Oral Syrup
Dentists use this oral syrup for children who have difficulty taking pills. It is also given to adult patients. It also belongs to benzodiazepines and is a safer drug to induce conscious sedation during dental treatment. Midazolam oral syrup acts faster than pills, taking only 10-20 minutes before the procedure. Depending on the dosage, its results may last up to 2 hours.
What Happens Before Taking Oral Pre-Medication?
Talk to your dentist about sedation options during your initial consultation. They will take your health history and ask about any medications or supplements you are taking. Your dentists may prescribe two doses of oral pre-medication. One before the night of the procedure to reduce anxiety is to see a dentist so you can fall asleep peacefully. And one about an hour before the procedure to calm you.
The dentist may advise you not to eat or drink anything for at least six hours before your dental appointment. You should take all routine medications without interruption if your dentist recommends. Remember to tell your dentist if you take blood thinners, such as warfarin. Your dentist may ask you to skip the dose a few days before your procedure.
How Do You Feel After Taking Oral Pre-Medication?
You may feel drowsiness and even fall asleep after taking oral pre-medication. You are awake and can communicate with your dentist if necessary. You do not feel pain and stay calm during the procedure.
What To Do After The Procedure?
Oral pre-medication temporarily affects your memory and motor skills. You may experience amnesia and drowsiness after the procedure. You will need a friend or family member to drive you home after your procedure. You should go straight home and rest while the sedative medication wears off.
What Are The Adventures of Oral Pre-Medication?
Many people have dental anxiety, so they avoid going to the dentist. Oral pre-medications can ease anxieties and phobias, helping you remain calm and easy during dental procedures. Your dentist can often work faster when you are under sedation. It can result in fewer appointments, which helps you save extra costs.
What Are The Side Effects of Oral Pre-Medication?
Oral pre-medications are safe. But there are few short-term effects.
It includes lingering drowsiness, dry mouth, mild headaches, nausea, and vomiting. It can also be difficult to predict the effect of oral sedation medications. Allergic reactions are very rare with oral pre-medications.
Is Oral Pre-Medication Safe For Childern?
Oral Pre-medication is safe for children. The short-lived side effects can include irritability, fever, snoring, nausea and vomiting. These side effects are normal and should disappear in a day or two. Call your dentist if you have specific questions or concerns.
Who Is Not a Good Candidate For Oral Pre-Medication?
People with heart problems, respiratory disease, impaired kidney function, allergy to benzodiazepines, or are pregnant are not good candidates for oral sedation.
If you are a nervous patient, visit Mint Dental Centre, London. We have the No. 1 Dental Team for the treatment of NHS and private dental care in South London, just minutes from Oval Tube and Nine Elms Tube. We will not judge you and will do whatever can help you feel comfortable again.