6 Tips to Beat Nausea After Dental Sedation

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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.

woman who is nauseous after dental sedation
I am so impressed with this Place. The staff is super friendly and explains everything in great detail and really takes their time with their patients. I came here after 15+ years of not having Dental insurance or the means to see a Dentist. Needless to say, my teeth were in pretty bad shape, and I needed a deep periodontal cleaning. When I went in for consultation back in February I was totally nervous, anxious had no clue what to expect. I just knew that I needed to a tooth that was falling out pulled and needed to do something about my teeth. After talking with a staff member and Dr. Hoffmann I felt totally at ease. Both my procedures in Feb and May went incredibly well and I woke up from both with an incredible smile. I came back today for follow up and cleaning my Hygienist was awesome I still had some sensitivity around my front teeth and when she noticed I flinched she stopped and said do you need break, or do you want me to put some numbing jell on your front teeth. After we got done, I had a lot of questions about the proper way to floss, what type of tooth paste I should use for sensitive teeth etc and she really took the time to answer all my questions. If you have been putting off dental work because of anxiety, I encourage you to check this place out. The staff truly cares about their clients.
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I went to nervous and 3 to 4 hours later, I essentially woke up in the car on my way home without realizing anything had happened. If you have trauma with previous dental issues, this is the place.
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Extremely friendly and professional Liked the way everything was explained a b d was concerned about my comfort k rt
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind review! We’re so glad you felt comfortable and well informed during your visit. Our team truly appreciates your support!
I have been a patient at the Dental Anesthesia Center for about 20 years! Dr. Hoffman and his team are the premier dental group in the St. Louis area. I believe they are the only location for Dental Anesthesia if you need that service. They are experts in the dental field and I cannot fathom ever going anywhere else. Great team, kind, caring, patient, and looking out for you and your dental needs!
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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.

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Updated: August 14, 2024

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