Side Effects of Dental Sedation

Possible Side Effects of Dental Sedation

Slow Reflexes

It is common for your reflexes to take some time to fully regain their alertness after waking up from dental sedation. Our Edmonton dentists advise anticipating a period of 24 hours before your reflexes return to their normal pre-sedation state.

Headaches

The contraction of facial and scalp muscles that occurs as a result of sedation can cause headaches. These should stop not long into your recovery and are not a cause for concern – if you begin experiencing frequent or highly painful headaches, you should seek consultation with your doctor.

Nausea

It is normal to feel sick or nauseated after sedation. It is recommended that you relax and avoid heavy foods or alcohol while recovering from sedation. Your body needs time to come back online, so to speak, and feelings of slowness or sickliness should fade reasonably quickly.

Drowsiness

One of the most frequently experienced side effects of dental sedation is drowsiness, which patients often report during the recovery period. It is recommended to have someone accompany you and drive you home after the procedure, and to get ample rest to fully recover and regain your alertness.

If you need to be active, it is advisable not to do so alone until you have fully recovered from the sedation.

Sluggishness

Some patients report feeling "heavy" or "sluggish" after waking up from dental sedation.

This is very, very normal and another reason why it is advised that you do not drive home after having been sedated. It is not legal to drive while under the effects of a sedative, and so it is essential that you attend the appointment alongside someone who can take you home at its conclusion.

Gaps in Memory of the Procedure

Even with mild forms of sedation, such as nitrous oxide, patients may enter a dream-like state. It is common to have hazy or incomplete memories of dental procedures performed while under the influence of a sedative.

This memory loss is limited to the time when the sedative was in effect and is not a cause for alarm. It is advisable to avoid activities that require intense concentration or important decision-making during the recovery phase after being sedated.

Low Blood Pressure

Sedation can result in a temporary decrease in blood pressure, which may contribute to various reported side effects such as headaches, drowsiness, and nausea. Typically, this is a transient condition and does not warrant alarm. However, prolonged low blood pressure can lead to significant health issues.

If you continue to experience symptoms beyond 24 hours after being sedated, it is advisable to consult your doctor for further evaluation and guidance.