Why Are We Afraid of Anesthesia and What Should We Know About It

09 July 2025

Anesthesia is one of the most important achievements of modern medicine; however, undergoing it causes fear and anxiety in many people. This fear is often unconscious and mostly stems from incorrect beliefs. Fear of anesthesia often becomes the reason why patients refuse necessary medical procedures, especially dental treatment. To overcome this fear, it is essential to understand how anesthesia works, what processes take place in the body, and what advantages it has. In this article, we will discuss the most common myths about anesthesia and introduce you to real facts that will help you overcome anxiety toward this medical procedure.

Anesthesia in Dentistry

The use of anesthesia in dentistry makes it possible to perform complex and lengthy procedures under conditions of maximum comfort for the patient. In dental practice, anesthesia is used for both adults and children, especially for those who are afraid of dental interventions.

Anesthesia in dentistry is recommended in the following cases: extraction of multiple teeth in one session, implantation procedures, complex surgical interventions, full-mouth treatment in a single visit, and pediatric dental treatment. Procedures performed under anesthesia allow the patient to undergo treatment without stress and discomfort, which is also especially important for individuals with dental phobia.

Both local and general anesthesia are used in dentistry. Local anesthesia numbs only a specific part of the oral cavity, and the patient remains conscious. General anesthesia causes complete suppression of consciousness, resulting in the patient being asleep during the procedure. The type of anesthesia is selected individually, based on the patient’s condition, the complexity and duration of the procedure.

Modern dental clinics are equipped with special equipment that ensures the safe use of anesthesia. Professional anesthesiologists continuously monitor the patient’s vital signs and respond to any changes if necessary.

Side Effects of Anesthesia

Anesthesia, like any other medical intervention, may have certain side effects, although with the use of modern drugs and methods, these are minimized. It is commonly believed that anesthesia harms memory, which comes from the time when older drugs were used. For example, Somnoprivin, which was actively used in the past, did indeed cause temporary memory disturbances, but modern anesthetics practically do not cause this effect.

After anesthesia, the patient may experience temporary symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, dry mouth, or muscular discomfort. These symptoms usually go away within a few hours or a day and do not present a serious problem. However, it is important for the patient to be informed in advance about possible discomfort and to know how to act in such cases.

Some patients are afraid that they might not “wake up” from anesthesia. This fear is based on incorrect information. In reality, the duration of sleep caused by anesthesia is controlled by the anesthesiologist and depends on the dosage of the drugs used and the patient’s physiological characteristics. The drugs used in modern anesthesiology allow the patient to wake up quickly and comfortably.

It is important to note that the risk of adverse reactions significantly decreases when the patient follows professionals’ recommendations before and after the procedure. Preoperative examinations, assessment of health status, and proper preparation for anesthesia minimize the risk of complications.

How Safe Is Anesthesia

Modern anesthesia is the safest and most effective in its development history. The progress of medical technology, the creation of new drugs, and the high qualification of specialists have significantly reduced the risks associated with anesthesia. Modern anesthesiology equipment is equipped with monitoring systems that continuously monitor the patient’s vital signs and automatically respond even to the smallest deviations.

For the safety of anesthesia, thorough preoperative examination is necessary. The anesthesiologist conducts a consultation, assesses the patient’s health condition, analyzes laboratory results, and creates an individual plan for administering anesthesia. In addition, special attention is paid to the patient’s allergic history, comorbidities, and medications being taken.

Anesthesia safety also largely depends on the qualification of specialists. Professional anesthesiologists undergo special training to properly manage anesthesia and respond quickly to possible complications. At least two specialists participate in the anesthesia process: the anesthesiologist and their assistant.

In most cases, complications are not caused by the anesthesia itself but by the patient’s pre-existing health conditions or the procedures performed under anesthesia.

What the Patient Should Know About Anesthesia

Before undergoing anesthesia, the patient should know several important recommendations, adherence to which will improve the safety of the procedure and reduce potential risks. First of all, it is necessary to provide the anesthesiologist with complete information about the health condition, medications taken, allergic reactions, and past illnesses.

It is recommended to refrain from eating for 6–8 hours before anesthesia, while fluid intake should be limited 2–3 hours in advance. These recommendations are important to avoid the risk of aspiration, which may occur if stomach contents enter the respiratory tract during anesthesia.

Before the procedure, all jewelry, contact lenses, and prosthetics must be removed. It is also recommended to avoid makeup - especially lipstick and eye cosmetics - as this may interfere with accurately assessing skin tone and vital signs.

After anesthesia, the patient needs rest and a calm environment. Driving or physical exertion is not recommended within 24 hours after anesthesia. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids and fully follow the doctor’s instructions.

Anesthesia is a significant achievement of modern medicine that allows complex medical and dental procedures to be performed with maximum comfort for the patient. Properly selected and administered anesthesia is safe and effective. The main thing is for the patient to be informed, follow the doctor’s recommendations, and trust the professionals.