Can I Eat Before Dental Sedation?

Are you about to get restorative dental work that will involve sedation? The type of sedative you’ll receive may involve some specific preparation steps.

A dentist will provide you with a list of do’s and don’ts on what you can eat or drink before and after getting oral sedation. But, if you’re looking for some more tips, check out this short blog post:

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Foods and Dental Sedation: Understanding the Facts

One of the most common side effects of sedation is nausea. The stronger the sedative, the higher the risk of feeling nauseous.

So as a general rule, your dentist will recommend not eating anything before your appointment. Receiving a sedative with food in your stomach could make this side effect even worse, though it can depend on the type of sedative you receive.

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Types of Dental Sedation

These are the common types of dental sedation, and whether you can eat before receiving them:

Laughing Gas

Also known as nitrous oxide, laughing gas is a mild sedative that involves inhaling a gas through a special mask. The gas will create a sense of calmness that allows you to get dental work done without feeling anxious.

Since it’s a mild sedative, there are fewer side effects associated with it. Most patients can eat a light meal before receiving laughing gas without any issues. 

‍Oral Conscious Sedation

This is a stronger sedative that involves taking certain medications before your dentist’s appointment.

In most cases, you’ll need to fast for around six hours before your appointment to ensure the sedative takes full effect, but it can depend on the specific sedative. You are able to drink water, however.

‍IV Sedation

IV sedation is the strongest dental sedative and is mostly used for complex and lengthy procedures. The patient receives a constant stream of sedatives to ensure they remain calm throughout the entire appointment. 

For this option, you’ll need to stop eating around 6 hours before your procedure, and not even drink water 2 hours prior. It’s very important to have a completely empty stomach by the time you’re getting IV sedation.

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‍Eating or Drinking After Dental Sedation

If you’ve received laughing gas, you can most likely eat and drink anything you want after your appointment. After the treatment, you’ll inhale oxygen which removes all traces of the gas from your system, so any effects should be gone.

For oral conscious and IV sedation, you may need to fast for a few extra hours, especially if you’re experiencing nausea.

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‍Your Sedation Options at Indigo Dental

Our Mauldin dentists want you to feel perfectly calm and relaxed while getting your oral health restored. At Indigo Dental, you can find the right type of oral sensation that best suits your needs.

Book a dental sedation consultation at Indigo Dental online to find out what your options are.

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