It is important that parents find a pediatric dentist office that keeps the child as comfortable as possible during any treatments they might have to have.
This could mean using specific medications or treatments, including sedation. Desert Kids Dental in Las Vegas offers Sedation to make sure your children is calm and safe during the dental treatment.
Sedation is one of the most popular ways to keep children safe while they’re getting any dentistry treatment. Parents contribute to the safety and effectiveness of children who receive dental treatments in the office. It is possible to make sure your child feels comfortable and safe while they receive dental treatments. This is usually done when using sedation during the treatment process.
Find out more about pediatric sedation dentistry and what you can expect when the time comes to keep children calm during treatments. It is important to have the right information about this specific calming measure.
Facts You Should Know About Sedation for Children
- There are many different types of sedation that can be used in dentistry and for children.
- Sedation is done right in the dental office during the child’s visit.
- Sedation will calm the child and make them quiet and relaxed during the treatment with medication, but it does not put them fully asleep or asleep at all.
- If the child has a fear of the dentist, multiple procedures, or long procedures, the dentist may recommend using sedation for them to keep the child calm during them. This is also used for children who have a hard time sitting still for longer periods of time.
- Your child may have some restrictions to adhere to once the procedure is done when they go home.
What exactly is Sedation?
Sedation is the use of a mild sedative medication that calms the child or person using them and helps to manage special needs or anxiety in patients that receive dental care. There are many reasons why a dentist might recommend mild sedation for the child. Usually when they have a bad gag reflex, cannot sit still, have many procedures that need to be done, is a long procedure, or other issues. This way, the procedure can be performed, and the child can remain comfortable and calm throughout it.
Sedation medication does not replace pain medications and does not numb the child during the treatment. Once the sedation has been given, the child will then receive a shot in their gums around the area where the work is being done. This is to keep the area numb and control the pain during the treatment. The sedation medication may last for up to six hours after being administered.
Different Types of Sedation
There are a number of different ways that sedation can be administered. Understanding and knowing these ways can help you determine what the best method of sedation may be for your child during their dental treatment.
Nitrous Oxide
This is also known as laughing gas. It is a mild sedative that is thought to be very safe for children to receive. The sedation is given through a mask that is placed over the child’s nose. They will then breathe in a faint, sweet smell and feel tired and relaxed. It takes effect in five minutes. The mask stays in place during treatment.
They usually have a happy type of feeling when they’re on nitrous oxide. The child will also be awake during the entire procedure. The gas will then be turned off once the procedure is complete and oxygen is administered to clear the system of the gas. After 5 minutes of oxygen, all of the laughing gas will be out of their system.
Oral Route
When sedation is given orally, it can take up to 45 minutes to start working. This might make the child drowsy, but it helps to reduce any anxiety that they might be feeling about the treatment. The dentist provides the child with the medicine as soon as they arrive for their appointment so that it is working by the time they are ready to have the procedure performed. If your child is having this type of sedation, they shouldn’t eat or drink anything 8 hours before the appointment and should be healthy with no cough or cold.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is more intrusive because it is given through an IV in the vein of the arm. This requires at-home preparation before the procedure and sedation is given. This is beneficial because the dentist is able to give more medication as it is needed. This is great when the procedure is going to be long.
What to Expect After Sedation
There are some things to expect after your child has had sedation at the dentist office. Keeping these things in mind can help you keep the child comfortable and ensure that the sedation is removed.
You can stay with your child as the medication wears off. This can take a little bit of time, or a lot of time depending on the type of medication given and amount they’ve had for the procedure.
Every child is different when receiving sedation. They may end up with an upset stomach or are confused as the medication wears off. There are many normal reactions after being sedated. These side effects will go away as the medication wears off.
Even when your child has been discharged, they may still feel groggy, dizzy, nauseous, or have a number of other symptoms. They should rest for the remainder of the day while the medication wears off.
The dentist will tell you what to expect with your child and the medication. It is important to ask any questions you may have while there to be as informed as possible.
If you’re a parent looking for further help when it comes to your child’s dentistry, look into the office that provides pediatric sedation dentistry. The treatments your child has should be comfortable for them. They will work to reduce their fear of the dentist and ensure they’re happy with the outcome.
Call the Las Vegas pediatric dentist and speak with the staff today. They’d be happy to answer any and all questions you may have regarding pediatric dentistry and what to expect. Schedule an appointment and get your child seen and treatments done as soon as possible. Allow them to enjoy the dentist again with the right office behind you.
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