Should You Take Your Child to a Sedation Dentist?

Young children unable to cooperate and individuals with mental or physical disabilities may benefit from sedation dentistry.

Children can suffer from several dental problems. The fear of visiting a dentist adds to their suffering. Fortunately, modern techniques and medicines have put forth a wide array of options for dental treatment. Sedation dentistry provides a straightforward way to solve their dental problems and get their smile back.

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe for a Child

A visit to the dentist is usually not a very comfortable experience for children or their parents. Children tend to have dental anxiety in general. However, if a child is physically or intellectually challenged, the situation may be even worse.

Sedation dentistry involves giving dental treatment to a person under sedation. Sedatives have been used in dentistry for a long time. They provide a sense of relaxation to the patients. In addition, they provide relief from anxiety and fear. This can help calm a child’s nerves and make it possible to administer dental care more comfortably.

Different Levels of Sedation

As there is a vast assortment of dental therapies, parents are often confused about which one is best for their child. Here is a brief explanation of some sedation therapies that may help you make your child’s right choice.

• Oral Sedation – The patient is given a very light anesthetic like nitrous oxide, and a mask is put on the jaws to make the patient feel relaxed. Under the influence of this sedative, the patient is conscious during the dental treatment, but he does not feel the pain and is not anxious. The effect of the sedative wears off very fast. The patient feels a little tired after the treatment but gets back to normal soon.
• IV Sedation – IV sedation is generally used for people with severe anxiety. It is suitable for people with special needs but may not be appropriate for children. The dentist can perform many dental procedures while the patient is relaxed under the impact of this type of sedation. The best part is that the patient does not remember the dental treatment he underwent. This may be very helpful.
• General Anesthesia – If your child is absolutely against the idea of visiting a dentist and resists all sorts of dental treatment, you may opt for general anesthesia. This technique is often suitable for children who do not sit quietly in the dental chair. It is also helpful for patients with special needs who have uncontrolled movements. Patients who undergo treatment under general anesthesia need to be escorted to the dentist’s clinic and brought back after the treatment.