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Don't Let Dieting Impact Your Oral Health

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Don't Let Dieting Impact Your Oral Health

Like many people who need to lose a few pounds, I try diet after diet in an attempt to find one that finally works for me. I learned the hard way that I need to make sure any diet will not harm my teeth, even if it does help me lose a few pounds. I learned this lesson when following a grapefruit diet. There are many versions of this, but the version I tried had me eat a grapefruit alone several times each day. It was supposed to suppress my appetite. I helped keep me from munching on unhealthy snacks, but the acid in the fruit took a toll on my tooth enamel and I quickly started getting lots of cavities. I created this blog to remind people that change up their diets often to make sure the foods they are eating are not harming their teeth.

I Wanna Be Sedated: How to Decide If Sedation Dentistry Is Right for You

30 June 2015
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

If you're nervous about going to the dentist, you're not alone. In fact, fear causes 5% to 8% of Americans to avoid seeing the dentist. However, dental visits are an important part of keeping your mouth healthy. There are various sedatives that can help you feel relaxed and comfortable during your dental procedure.  

Reasons you Should Try Sedation Dentistry

Here are a few ways to tell if you might want to try sedation dentistry:

  • You have trouble staying still in the dentist chair.
  • You have extremely sensitive teeth, a strong gag reflex, or a low pain tolerance.
  • Your dental procedure is supposed to be lengthy.
  • You have a dental phobia or are afraid of needles.

When to Avoid Sedation

If you are obese or have obstructed sleep apnea, you are more likely to face complications from the sedatives. For instance, sedative drugs can cause your throat and tongue muscles to relax. This can lead to an airway blockage. This is why it is important to talk to your dentist about your medical history before having sedation dentistry.  

Types of Sedation Dentistry

Before undergoing sedation dentistry, you should understand the different types:

  • Inhaled Sedation: For inhaled sedation, your dentist will put a mask over your nose that delivers a combination of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, and oxygen. Laughing gas is a minimal sedation technique, otherwise known as anxiolysis, and it will help you relax. You may even be able to drive home after your dental procedure.
  • Oral Sedation: Oral sedation involves taking a pill about an hour before your dental procedure. This moderate sedation, also called conscious sedation, allows you to be awake but drowsy. You are aware enough to answer questions from your dentist but sedated enough to feel relaxed. Sometimes, more than one pill is given to achieve moderate sedation. If you do fall asleep, you should be able to be gently roused.  
  • Intravenous Sedation: Intravenous sedation, another form of conscious sedation, is delivered through the blood stream and works quickly. If you are receiving this type of sedation dentistry, check to see if your dentist has a Conscious Sedation Permit which says your dentist has a minimum of 60 hours of training and has been competent in at least 20 conscious sedation cases for a myriad of dental procedures.

Sedation dentistry can help you overcome your fear of the dentist. Being educated about the process can help you ask the right questions and be prepared for your procedure. Talk to a professional like Kokkirala Rajeshwer for more information about dentistry.