Sleep or sedation dentistry means the use of general anesthesia for dental patients. However, according to pediatric dentists, there is a lot of concern associated with this topic especially when it comes to children.
Parents and the children tend to be not sure about these dental sedatives usually, which is why they do not prefer to opt for them. However, as the best pediatric dentists assure you, dental sedation for children is a very simple and safe process and the child’s stress about the treatment can be lessened even more by the parents’ soothing.
Children’s dentists state that sedation is not needed for routine dental check-ups or cleaning but it has proved to be very helpful for children during painful dental procedures like fillings, extractions, and root canals. As each child is different with various levels of anxiety, dental pediatrics say that they may require different types of dental sedations to relax and calm them down.
Let’s go through the different types of dental sedation available for children. There is Nitrous Oxide, Oral sedatives, Intravenous sedatives, and local anesthesia.
Laughing Gas:
Nitrous Oxide or laughing gas does not have any odor. The child breathes it through the nose during the dental treatment and it has a calming effect. The child stays conscious but relaxed during the whole procedure and this gas wears off quickly.
Oral Sedatives:
Oral sedatives like diazepam are also relaxing for children. This sedative is given around an hour before the treatment starts. The child stays awake but could get a bit sleepy as the effect of the sedative wears off.
Intravenous Sedatives:
Intravenous sedatives (IV) can have various levels of consciousness. The intravenous sedatives that are also called general anesthesia can put the child into a deep sleep which lasts until the effect wears off. Some other intravenous sedatives put your child into a light sleepy state in which they may not really recall a major part of the procedure after it has ended.
Local Anesthesia:
Local anesthesia is the kind which dentists inject into parts of the gum. This numbs the mouth to the extent that the child will not feel any pain during the dental procedure. This is usually the preferred sedation method and the only one which is needed if the child is not prone to become anxious.
You may wonder whether any kind of sedation is safe for your child. Kids’ dentists assess and evaluate complete dental and overall health of the child before suggesting any sedation. As dental sedation comes in different types, pediatric dentists can recommend which one is better for your child based on their health and anxiety level.
Searching ‘pediatric dentistry near me’ can help you find dentists for kids closest to your place and get the best advice. Knowing the benefits and risks involved in these procedures helps to understand them better. As the pediatric dentists are experienced in various treatments, their first and foremost priority is your child’s dental wellness and safety.