Does your child become anxious or afraid when it is time to visit the dentist? Countless kids are in the same boat. Whether they had a negative experience in the past, or they simply dislike the sights and sounds of the dental office, many young ones are hesitant to settle into the treatment chair. Sedation may be able to help. But, you may still wonder, is sedation dentistry safe for children? This blog post discusses why you have nothing to worry about.
Safety Measures Are in Place
Your family dentist is concerned, not just with your child’s dental health, but also with their overall well-being. You can trust your dentist to take appropriate precautions to protect your child during any type of dental treatment. Some precautions that typically surround sedation include:
- A thorough pre-screening. You can expect your dental team to ask a series of questions to determine whether your child has any contraindications for sedation. The questions will relate to your child’s medical conditions and any medications they may take.
- Careful monitoring. The dental team will keep a careful eye on your child while they are under the influence of sedation. Prompt action will be taken if there is any indication that something is going wrong.
- Thorough training. You can be confident that your dentist is well-qualified to offer sedation. Additionally, their staff members have probably undergone training to help them keep patients safe while any type of sedative is being used.
What Types of Sedation Are Available for Children?
The most common type of sedation used for children is nitrous oxide, a gas that, when breathed in, induces feelings of relaxation and giddiness. It is suitable for patients of virtually any age, and it is great for young kids because it does not involve the use of any needles. It also does not require that the patient swallow any pills. Even better, nitrous oxide is considered to be extremely safe; adverse reactions are relatively rare and usually mild.
If your child requires deeper sedation than what can be provided via nitrous oxide, your dentist might recommend IV sedation or oral conscious sedation. Oral conscious sedation involves the use of a pill, so it is not ideal for very young patients who do not know how to swallow medication. IV sedation can be used on most patients because the dosage of the sedative is highly controllable. However, it requires more careful monitoring than nitrous oxide.
Is your child afraid of the dentist? Or do they have other issues that make it difficult for them to sit through dental treatment? Ask if your young one is a candidate for sedation. It could change the way they perceive oral care!
Meet the Practice
Dr. Erin Page is proud to provide general dentistry services to the Schenectady community. Patients of all ages are welcome in our practice. Multiple types of sedation are available, including nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. To request an appointment with our team or learn more about how we may be able to serve your family, contact us at 518-374-0317.