If you have trouble attending dental appointments due to fear or anxiety, issues sitting in the treatment chair for long periods, or medical or mental conditions, dental sedation may be a good fit for you. Sedation dentistry helps patients feel relaxed and at peace throughout their dental visits so that they can receive the treatment they need. But, if you are pregnant, is it still safe to undergo gentle sedation? Continue reading to learn if people can get dental sedation while pregnant.
Is Dental Sedation Safe During Pregnancy?
Whether or not you’re pregnant, dental sedation is totally safe. All of the sedation methods that dentists use will only be administered to you after they have thoroughly evaluated your overall health. Additionally, research has shown that fetuses aren’t affected by dental sedation. This means that any procedures you need to undergo while pregnant will be safe for both you and your baby.
Even so, dentists usually recommend that pregnant patients wait until after they’ve given birth to undergo elective or invasive procedures unless they’re urgent. This is because pregnancy can also affect a person’s hormones, which makes them susceptible to gum disease and tooth decay. Regular dental health care and screenings are crucial to ensure that your smile remains in good condition.
Types of Sedation Dentistry for Pregnant Women
There are several kinds of dental sedation that your dentist may offer. Two common ones are:
- Nitrous oxide sedation – This form of dental sedation is also known as “laughing gas” and provides patients with a mild level of relaxation. A breathing mask will be fitted over your nose to administer the gas. Shortly after that, you will experience feelings of warmth and euphoria. Nitrous oxide sedation doesn’t put you to sleep, so you’ll remain conscious throughout the procedure. This will allow you to respond to verbal prompts. You’ll be administered 100% oxygen when the procedure is over, which will cause the effects of the laughing gas to wear off within minutes.
- Oral conscious sedation – This kind of sedation is administered through an oral sedative. Your dentist will instruct you to take it before your appointment. It is often used for procedures like dental crowns or tooth extractions. You will remain conscious during appointment, but someone will need to drive you home after treatment since the effects of oral conscious sedation are stronger than nitrous oxide.
About the Practice
If you need some help taking care of your smile, you’ve come to the right place. Led by Dr. Faris Waheed, Dr. Amanda M. Panousis, and Dr. Alan Diep, the team at Baldwin Family Dental takes pride in what they do. If you are pregnant, they can give you information on how to prevent oral health problems. They can also teach you about using dental sedation when pregnant if you need extra help during your visits. Call Baldwin Family Dental’s Panama City office at (850) 215-0128 or visit their website if you want more information on their services or to set up an appointment.