Can I Eat Before Oral Sedation Dentistry? Everything You Should Know

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Oral sedation dentistry uses pill-based sedative drugs to keep you feeling relaxed throughout your appointment. And at Stroing and White Dental, we’re proud to offer sedation dentistry to help you feel comfortable and safe while you get the dental care you need in Red Bluff. But you may have questions before your appointment.

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For example, can you eat before you get treatment? The answer is usually “no.” Why? Read on, and our team will explain everything you need to know about fasting before your appointment.

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You Usually Can’t Eat For Six Hours Before Your Appointment At Our Office

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When you get oral conscious sedation, you’ll usually get one pill that you’ll take the night before your appointment, then another pill that you’ll take about an hour before your appointment.

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In most cases, you’ll be asked to avoid eating for at least six hours before your visit to our office. This means you can’t eat anything, and you should only be drinking clear liquids like water. You should also avoid alcoholic drinks for at least 24 hours. 

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However, there are many different types of sedative medications, so these instructions can vary somewhat. Before you get treatment at Stroing and White Dental, Dr. Leah Stroing or Dr. Megan White will give you all of the information you need to prepare for your appointment.

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Why Do You Have To Fast Before Oral Sedation At The Dentist?

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The primary reason is that fasting (not eating) for a least six hours clears out most of the food in your stomach. If you have a large meal in your stomach, this can affect the rate at which your sedative medication is digested and absorbed into your bloodstream.

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Fasting means that the absorption of your sedative medication is much more predictable. When you fast before an appointment, this helps eliminate a lot of variables, and ensures that you’ll be properly sedated by the time your appointment at Strong and White Dental begins.

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Another reason is that one of the side effects of oral conscious sedation is nausea. It’s pretty common to feel queasy and nauseated after your appointment ends. If you have a full stomach of food, you may be more likely to throw up. 

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For obvious reasons, you want to avoid getting sick after your appointment. It’s uncomfortable, and if you have sutures in your mouth from oral surgery, vomiting could rip them. 

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When Can I Eat After Oral Conscious Sedation?

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So, you can’t eat before sedation. But what about after your treatment? After fasting for six or more hours, you’re probably pretty hungry! Well, we’ve got good news. You can eat right away after your appointment at Stroing and White Dental.

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However, if your mouth is still bleeding from surgery, we recommend waiting until bleeding slows down. It’s also a good idea to wait until your local anesthetic has worn off, unless you’re eating liquid food. Chewing with a numb mouth could result in chewing on your cheek, which will be painful once your numbing wears off.

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Learn More About Sedation Dentistry At Stroing And White Dental

Sedation dentistry is a great option for anyone who’s nervous about an upcoming dental procedure or who suffers from dental anxiety. So don’t wait. If you need dental care in Red Bluff, Stroing and White Dental is here for you. We’re always accepting new patients, so contact us online or give us a call at (530) 527-1350 to schedule a consultation today.