The 411 on Oral sedation

The 411 on Oral Sedation

By Dental Design Studio

Does the mere thought of going to the dentist send fear through your body? Would you rather suffer through the worst toothaches than visiting your local dentist? If the answer is yes, you are not alone. Many people have a phobia of going to the dentist that forces them to not receive treatment.

For the people who avoid dentists like bad dates, sedation dentistry will, most likely, take away most the anxiety that comes with going to the dentist. Sedation can be incorporated from the most advanced dental procedures to a simple mouth cleaning. How we incorporate sedation dentistry here at Dental Design Studio depends on the amount of anxiety you have.

Sedation dentistry uses medicine that will help patients relax during dental procedures. Most of the time patients are awake, except for those who are under general anesthesia.

Levels of sedation used include:

Minimal sedation: you’re awake but very relaxed.

Moderate sedation:  During the procedure, you may slur your words and not remember much of the procedure.

Deep sedation: Your in-between sleep and awake, but you can still be woken up.

General Anesthesia: The patient is completely unconscious.

What We Use

We mostly use oral sedation to help our patients get through a procedure. At minimum, a pill is given within an hour before the procedure. The medicine will make you drowsy, but the patient will still be awake. A stronger dose can be given to create more substantial sedation.

The Truth Behind Mouthwash

Modern TV advertisements and product placement tell us to use mouthwash to prevent plaque (the yellowish film that attaches to your teeth and causes to cavities) and gingivitis (inflammation of gums). But the reality is that mouthwash actually plays a fairly minor role in the prevention of plaque and gum disease. Brushing and flossing are much more important.

Cavities, gingivitis, and bad breath are all caused by certain bacteria that live in the mouth of every individual. There is no way to eliminate these issues, but you can reduce their number and prevent the damage they can cause.

Mouthwash has a heritage that dates back thousands of years. Individuals have used rinses made with everything from betel leaves to dill and myrrh, dissolved in white wine. Today, most of the mouthwashes you find at your local drug stores are artificial and contain sweeteners for taste and colorings for that refreshing feeling. Many are often used with alcohol.

It’s true that mouthwash will make your breath smell better for a while. The real question is whether that’s achieved by killing off odor-producing bacteria or simply masking the problem.  If that’s the case, mouthwash is no different than chewing on a breath mint.

On the flip side, research has found that two antibacterial ingredients most commonly used in mouthwashes reduce the levels of bacteria that produce bad breath. Also, other mouthwash ingredients, such as zinc and chlorine dioxide, neutralize other smelly compounds.