If your senior loved one undergoes a dental treatment with nitrous oxide, they’ll likely be “back to normal” within a few minutes. But if a stronger sedative (like oral conscious or IV sedation) is used, it could take a couple of hours to a full day for the effects to fully wear off. Any adult should have a trusted friend or family member watching them during this time. Seniors in particular, though, may have mobility issues or other medical conditions that can present unique challenges when recovering from dental sedation.
Consider this your guide for making sure your loved one is well cared-for after their treatment.
The First 24 Hours
Oral conscious and IV sedation can make patients feel disoriented, a bit confused, or even “loopy” – and that goes for all ages! It’s important to stay with them for the first 24 hours after treatment.
Take your loved one home immediately (stopping only to pick up any necessary medications), and make sure they have a comfortable place to sit or lie down. Strenuous activity is a strict no-no, and if they do need to get up and move around, you may want to assist them to help prevent an accidental fall.
Prescribed Medications
Dentists don’t always prescribe medications after dental treatment, but if they do, make sure the prescriptions are filled and that you pick them up promptly. Since your loved one will be “out of it,” pay close attention to usage instructions and see that they take their medications as directed. Once they’re more lucid, you can review their medications and the usage instructions together.
If you’re worried about your loved one being able to take their meds correctly and on time, it doesn’t hurt to check in with them over the phone or stay with them for a few extra days.
Oral Hygiene
Sometimes, it’s all to easy to go on “auto pilot” and complete routine tasks without thinking twice about it. Regardless of what type of treatment your loved one will be receiving, oral hygiene will be important for helping to prevent complications (such as gum disease or infection), and they may have to take care of their smile differently than usual. For instance, their dentist might instruct them to let water fall out of their mouth after rinsing instead of spitting.
Whatever the case, help them brush and floss their teeth before bed, and remind them to stay consistent with oral hygiene going forward.
Following these tips will put senior adults in a good position for aftercare and recovery!
About the Author
Our compassionate dentists at Blue Coast Dental Group are happy to serve patients of all ages. We provide nitrous oxide, oral conscious, and IV sedation for anxious patients or those undergoing more complex treatments. If you have questions about recovering from dental sedation or how you can help take care of your loved one, contact our office at 310-424-3100.