It is sometimes common to sedate a child for dental treatment if they feel anxious or scared. Dentists usually offer sedation dentistry services to patients, including children, to help in these situations. But is dental sedation safe for kids?
If your child is still very young, nervous, or has to go under a lengthy dental procedure, you can ask the dentist to use a sedative to help them relax.
What Kind of Sedation Methods Are Safe for Kids?
Making sure your kids brush their teeth and have regular checkups by a dentist is often a taxing job for parents. If your child doesn’t want to go to the dentist because they are afraid, it can be even more challenging. But there is good news- many different sedation methods are safe for kids.
To answer your question, “Is dental sedation safe for kids,” here is a quick rundown of the different sedation methods administered to children.
Oral Sedation
With oral sedation, the child takes the sedatives orally or through their nose right after arriving for the appointment. This way, the medicine takes effect quickly and leaves the patient relaxed but not asleep.
Intravenous Sedation
Another method to sedate a child for dental treatment is the use of an IV. The sedative is introduced to the kid’s system by inserting a needle into their vein. It also sometimes uses a tube inserted into the throat to help with breathing.
Nitrous Oxide
In this method, the dentist uses nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. The combination of oxygen and nitrous oxide is delivered to the patient through a mask. In 5 minutes, they will be relaxed and ready for treatment.
Dentists from pediatric dentistry in Woodlands, TX use these methods to achieve different levels of sedation. Whether sedation is conscious or deep sedation, the type of sedation depends on the level of anxiety and the complexity of the treatment.
How to Prepare Kids for Sedation Dentistry?
So now you know the answer to your question ‘is dental sedation safe for kids?’ But now you must focus on preparing your kid for the dental procedure and the sedation process.
Before Sedation
One thing to keep in mind to prepare your child for sedation is to follow the dentist’s instructions. Make sure you follow the restrictions on food and drinks as they are crucial for the safety of your child.
Sedation can be risky as your kid may inhale the sedative into the lungs or cause their stomach to get upset. Another thing to remember is to give your child’s full medical history to the dentist to ensure sedation is safe for them.
At the Dentist’s Clinic
While waiting for their appointment, you can help your kid feel relaxed in various ways. Some of those ways include:
- Bringing their stuffed animal or favorite toy
- Holding their hand and talking to them
- Gently singing to your child
- Letting them listen to music
All these things are great comfort tactics. Besides these, it’s also essential that you don’t bring more than one kid to the dentist’s office. This way, you can give your full attention to the one who will be receiving dental care.
During Sedation
During sedation and while under the procedure, you can trust the dentist to ensure the safety of your child. The dentist makes sure to monitor the child’s blood pressure, oxygen level, temperature, and heart rate closely.
After Sedation
Dentists usually ask the parent to be there when their child is waking up. One thing to keep in mind is your kid will likely be upset, confused, and nauseous. Other side effects of sedation also include sleepiness and dizziness.
Your child will also be experiencing a loss of physical coordination. With all these potential side effects, you must keep them monitored and close to you for at least a few hours. In case of fever, vomiting, severe pain, or bleeding, consult your dentist right away.
Is Dental Sedation Safe for Kids?
So is dental sedation safe for kids? Now you know that it is. You just need to find a dentist you can trust. With specialty dental services in Woodlands, TX, rest assured that your child is in good hands.