It’s quite easy for children to fear dental care. After all, the thought of someone poking around your mouth can be unsettling. Still, you may hesitate to consider sedatives for your child. You needn’t fear, though; sedation dentistry is safe for kids. Many dental sedatives would calm your child for treatment without doing any harm. If you’d like to hear more, let your Altavista dentist explain why sedation dentistry is safe for kiddos.
Why is Sedation Dentistry Safe for Kids?
Put simply, dental sedation can’t cause lasting harm to children. When used correctly, dental sedatives don’t upset a child’s body. They just promote deep feelings of calm and relaxation. In doing so, they ensure your little one gets crucial dental care. The risks of such sedatives are minor at best. The worst these medicines tend to cause is temporary nausea.
At the same time, dentists are very careful when giving kids sedatives. They only select the most suitable type for your child. They’re also trained to closely monitor your child’s vitals during treatment and provide life support measures in case of problems.
Child-Safe Dental Sedation Options
Many dentists carry a range of child-safe sedation options. These include:
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide is the most common sedative used by dentists. Usually, it’s administered through a nose mask. Inhaling this “laughing gas” causes your child to feel relaxed and mildly euphoric. Even so, it’ll leave your kiddo alert enough to respond to instructions.
Nitrous oxide also doesn’t have lasting side effects. The gas “wears off” almost as soon as your child stops breathing it. From there, they can resume normal activities right after the procedure.
General Anesthesia
If your child has intense dental anxiety, general anesthesia may be the best choice. It would grant your youngster a safe and comfy experience.
A dentist may administer the anesthesia through an IV drip or a face mask. Either way, it’ll make your child sleep for the whole treatment. They won’t feel any pain or even remember their procedure. Plus, the risks of this sedation option are very small. It’ll just require that your child rest until the day after treatment. At that point, they’ll be ready to return to school.
Ultimately, sedation dentistry is safe for kids. Feel free to discuss it with your child’s pediatric dentist soon!
About the Practice
Dr. Hooks welcomes you to their Altavista, VA dental practice. At Hooks Family Dentistry, we treat patients of all ages and warmly welcome you and your family to our clinic.
From dental treatments like fillings and root canals to cosmetic procedures like veneers and even preventative care like exams and cleanings, we do it all in a warm and friendly environment that will leave you smiling from ear to ear!
To schedule an appointment with our dental team, please visit our website, or call 434-215-0363 today!