{"id":3528,"date":"2025-03-05T19:23:34","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T19:23:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beckdentalcare.com\/blog\/?p=3528"},"modified":"2025-05-14T19:26:18","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T19:26:18","slug":"addressing-anxiety-who-benefits-from-oral-conscious-sedation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beckdentalcare.com\/blog\/addressing-anxiety-who-benefits-from-oral-conscious-sedation\/","title":{"rendered":"Addressing Anxiety: Who Benefits from Oral Conscious Sedation?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Would you be surprised to learn that an estimated 50% to 80% of people experience anxiety around dental appointments? It\u2019s natural to feel nervous if you have an upcoming treatment, like a root canal or extraction, that has the potential to cause pain. However, many people are so afraid that they even avoid routine visits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your dentist can provide medication, like oral conscious sedation<\/a>, to help you feel relaxed and comfortable, but many patients assume this is reserved for surgical procedures. Thankfully, that\u2019s not necessarily true. Continue reading to learn more about this service and who can benefit from it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is Oral Conscious Sedation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This type of sedation refers to a medication that\u2019s prescribed, typically in pill form, with directions for you to take it before you arrive at your dentist\u2019s office. That way, the effects of the drug will have kicked in by the time they begin your procedure. Popular options include benzodiazepines, like diazepam, midazolam, triazolam, and lorazepam, or other meds like ketamine or zaleplon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re afraid you\u2019ll be \u201cknocked out\u201d, you can set your concerns aside. Most patients near Columbia experience a comfortable calm that might make them feel drowsy, but they can usually respond to questions or instructions from their provider. The effects are temporary and start wearing off after a couple of hours, but because they tend to linger somewhat, it\u2019s best to have someone help drive you home after your appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who Benefits from Oral Conscious Sedation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You might assume that this medication is only offered to those undergoing invasive or surgical treatments, but that\u2019s fortunately not always the case! Your dentist might suggest oral conscious sedation if you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n