I went with a friend to her dental appointment because she was getting sedation for the procedure. Afterwards, they had to come and get me because she got seriously sick. I asked them what happened and they weren’t sure. That worried me. The only think I can think of is she ate right beforehand. Would that really make her so sick?
Janet N. – Ohio
Janet,
It’s likely the food made her sick. They always tell you to go to your appointment on an empty stomach for that reason. Even just a snack can mess you up.
Sedation is designed to relax you, and does tend to make you a little woozy. Add food onto that and you’re a disaster waiting to happen. However, as bad as nausea can be, it’s not the reason dentists tell you not to eat before your appointment. It’s the risk of aspiration that dentists worry about. That’s a huge safety issue.
If you do eat before an appointment, be sure to let the dentist know. It will affect the kind of medicine the dentist gives you. Medical practitioners need all the facts when treating you in order to keep you safe.
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