6 Tips to Beat Nausea After Dental Sedation

Here are six tips to help you feel better if you are feeling nauseous after your dental procedure.

Dental sedation has many positives for those that have trouble going to the dentist. The most important of them is the simple fact that they can get their oral treatment comfortably, instead of avoiding it altogether. Still, this practice comes with its downsides, one of them being post-sedation nausea. Here are six tips for getting over this feeling and getting on with your day.

Schedule an Appointment – Call (314) 862-7844

Excellent

The Dental Anesthesia Center: Sedation and Sleep Dentistry4.9

Based on 229 reviews

See all reviews

review us on

Jyllyan T.

Today was the second time that I became a registered patient with this office. I had previously had work done in the past with a different clinician, paused treatment for some time, and then returned today and was put with a new physician. I cannot even begin to describe the comfortability that I had with my dental anxiety after leaving the office. The new physician that I met with took over an hour to sit with me and go over my concerns, history, present scans, and any questions about the treatment plan moving forward that I had. She was optimistic, kind, compassionate, and most importantly, there for me in every aspect that a patient requires. She made me hopeful about any future needs I might encounter, and I would truly recommend this office yet again to anyone. They continue to find the kindest staff to support them as well, making it a well-rounded practice from start to finish.

Corey W.

All three doctors are nice to get over your fear of dentist.Thank you Dr. Hoffmann and team!

Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star review! We truly appreciate your kind words and support.

Mary Lea B.

Carrie and Dr B are awesome!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’ll be sure to share your compliments with Carrie and Dr. Behl.

suzanne

I cannot say enough about Dr. Hoffmann and his incredible staff. I never thought for a second that I would not be terrified to go to the dentist for the rest of my life, but Dr. Hoffmann changed that. I have had extensive work done over the last few months, all pain free. I was missing teeth due to a decades old bridge falling out and Dr. Hoffman made sure I had a beautiful smile in time for my daughter’s wedding. I have never experienced a kinder more compassionate team, when you go, you know you are in good hands. There is more work to be done, but I am no longer afraid, at all. Thank you Dr. Hoffmann, and thank you to your team. You’ve changed my life.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your incredibly thoughtful review. Your kind words truly touched all of us. It means so much to know that our focus on compassionate, gentle care and making people feel comfortable is making a difference. Dr. Hoffmann and our entire team are grateful for your trust and for taking the time to share such a heartfelt message. We appreciate you more than you know and wish you all the very best!

I H.

I was terrified of the dentist and had not gone in years. I’m so glad I found Dr Hoffmann. I now can go to the dentist and am not scared to death. He is so kind. So gentle. I’m so grateful!

Response from the owner:Thanks for your kind words! We're so glad you had a positive experience with our team. Providing compassionate, comfortable care is always our goal. We truly appreciate your support!

Follow Eating and Drinking Guidelines Before Sedation

While this tip doesn’t apply to your post-sedation behavior, it relates heavily to getting over your nausea. The reason is that those who don’t follow these guidelines are much more likely to vomit during and after their treatment. Doing so will only increase the severity of your symptoms. In general, the best approach is to not eat or drink for around six hours before your appointment, though your dentist may have an alternate recommendation.

Stay Active

This is one you have to be careful with. On the one hand, doing some walking, basic chores, and generally staying active can quell your nausea and take you out of the head fog that many patients experience. On the other, you will be a bit out of it and don’t want to push yourself too far. The happy medium is likely doing low-stress tasks while being mindful of your limitations.

Drink Water as Soon as Possible

When you get out of sedation, you will likely be dehydrated from your pre-treatment fast. This factor is significant because your body decreases its functionality when it doesn’t have what it needs. Fortunately, you can get things started again by drinking a cup or two of water. Doing so will signal to the rest of your body that it is time to wake up and start eating, and your nausea should subside.

Move to Tea or a Carbonated Beverage

Your next step after water is moving on to a different drink. Some people love the way tea settles their stomach, and report that ginger and green are the best variants to try. Others prefer a carbonated beverage, such as a club soda. When you come out of your sedation, try these drinks out and see what agrees with you.

Eat a Stomach Friendly Meal

Once you’re out of the initial stages of intense nausea, it is time to eat. When you do, your best bet is opting for stomach-friendly foods like crackers, soup, and yogurt.

Get Medication if Necessary

Though most people find that their nausea is gone after just a few hours, others experience extended symptoms. If this is the case for you, don’t hesitate to call your dentist. You may pick up some needed tips or, in the most dire circumstances, get a prescription to fight those feelings.

We hope that after reading this article, you are more comfortable with nausea you might feel after your dental sedation. While this feeling is unpleasant, it generally doesn’t affect a significant proportion of patients, and when it does, it goes away relatively quickly. The truth is that this issue is manageable and should not get in the way of your dental care. If you follow these tips, there is a good chance it won’t.