When it comes to dental sedation, there are certain things you should and shouldn't do before your appointment. To ensure a safe and successful procedure, it is important to follow the instructions given by your dentist. Here is an expert's guide on what not to do before dental sedation.
Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco
It is important to avoid alcohol and tobacco 24 hours before your dental appointment. This is because these substances can interfere with the sedation process and increase the risk of complications.
Avoid Dark Nail Polish
On the day of your procedure, it is best to avoid wearing dark nail polish.
This is because dark nail polish can interfere with the accuracy of the monitoring equipment used during the procedure.
Light Meal Before Procedure
Most people will be fine with no dietary restrictions before their dental sedation appointment. It is recommended to eat a light meal a few hours before the procedure. However, if you have never used nitrous oxide (laughing gas) at the dentist, it is best to avoid eating until you know if it will make you nauseous.
Monitoring During Intravenous Sedation
To ensure that patients are safe during intravenous sedation, the dental team will monitor some of their responses, such as heart rate. This is why it is important to follow all instructions given by your dentist before and after the procedure.
Avoid Heavy Meals
It is always good to avoid heavy meals before any dental procedure.
With local anaesthesia, a light meal a few hours before should be fine. However, for intravenous sedation, which is generally only used for extremely invasive dental procedures, it is best to avoid eating until after the procedure.
Dental Anesthesia Aftercare Instructions
The purpose of the dental anesthesia aftercare instructions is to provide you with the information and guidelines to follow after the procedure you just completed. It will normally take 3 to 4 hours to fully recover from the anesthetic medications that were administered. When preparing for a dental procedure where dental sedation will be used, it is important to follow all instructions given by your dentist.
These rules for eating before dental sedation may seem strict, but they are necessary for a safe and successful procedure. It is also important to ensure optimal health for an upcoming dental appointment when anesthesia is administered.
