Today, the dental treatment of individuals with disabilities can be carried out safely by applying general anesthesia or sedation. Adana Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic Dentrum, which acts with a patient-focused treatment approach, explained the frequently asked questions about the dental treatment and anesthesia applications of individuals with disabilities for you.
General Anesthesia
Temporarily turning off the patient's consciousness and eliminating their sensory functions is called general anesthesia. Although it is generally used synonymously with narcosis, under the effect of narcosis the patient's consciousness is not completely lost. Only their sensitivity is eliminated and numbness is provided. In operations carried out under the effect of anesthesia, the patient is kept under observation by an anesthesia specialist throughout the treatment. During this process, the patient's blood pressure, heart rhythm and rate, oxygen saturation, and the concentration of anesthetic agents are monitored. When the treatment is completed, the anesthesia medications are stopped and the patient is woken up. The pain to be felt after the operation is brought under control using painkillers. Anesthesia makes the treatment of individuals with disabilities who feel fear of dental treatment extremely comfortable both for the patient and for the oral and dental surgeon.
While the patient is under the effect of general anesthesia, they do not feel pain. They cannot make movements that will disrupt the treatment process. They cannot become aware of what is happening around them. They cannot remember what happened while under the effect of anesthesia.
Sedation (Oral and Dental Treatment Under Sleep)
Sedation is an application used for the patient to relax and calm down, which puts the patient into a sleep state. During sedation, the patient's consciousness is open. A temporary memory loss can be experienced. The sedation effect is mostly used to support the regional and local anesthesia effect. Especially in the interventional treatments of children, individuals with disabilities, and patients with dentist phobia, it considerably facilitates the work of the patient and the surgeon. Applying sedation to the patient before the extraction of an impacted tooth eliminates the patient's worries and fears. The dentist can also do their job comfortably during the treatment. Some surgical oral and dental treatments can be carried out using local anesthesia. However, the patient can still prefer sedation to be applied in order not to feel what is happening.
At Adana Private Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic Dentrum,
Suitable conditions are provided for children, individuals with disabilities, and patients with dentist phobia to have a comfortable treatment experience.
Recommendations for Protecting the Oral and Dental Health of Individuals with Disabilities
- Our eating habits directly affect our oral and dental health. People who can only be fed with a bottle in particular are faced with the danger of decay due to sugary foods such as fruit juice, ready-made baby food, or milk that they consume. Decay occurs much more easily and quickly in these people. For this reason, oral and dental cleaning should be done after every feeding. If possible, oral hygiene should be ensured using a toothbrush, dental floss, or an oral irrigator.
- The basic cause of the decay occurring in our teeth is acidic and sugary foods. Because the residues of these foods stick to the tooth surface and gums. Individuals with disabilities staying away from carbohydrate- and sugar-containing foods as much as possible will reduce the risk of decay.
- The bacteria settled on the gums and tooth surface feed on food residues. Individuals with disabilities who need to be fed with pureed foods and soft foods should rinse their mouths after every meal and clean the food residues. Otherwise, they become open to many dangers such as infection, tartar, decay, and gum diseases.
- Like everyone, individuals with disabilities should also go for dental check-ups at regular six-month periods. In this way, possible tooth and gum disorders can be detected early and treated before causing serious problems.
- So that the patient feels comfortable in the dental clinic and can establish a trust-based relationship with the dentist, if possible, all follow-up, examination, and treatments should be done by the same dentist.
- Every night, the teeth should be brushed for at least two minutes and dental floss should be used.
- Precautions should be taken against the accumulation of food residues and decay formation with dental sealant.
- Fluoride applications should be done.
If possible, electric toothbrushes should be preferred as they provide great ease of use.
