Being afraid of the dentist is perfectly normal; an estimated 36% of the population has dental anxiety that can make dental visits extremely stressful. If a child is so worried or afraid that it’s actively hindering them from receiving good dental care, then sedation should be considered. Of course, parents will want to confirm that such a step won’t put their children at unnecessary risk. The post below will provide more details about sedation dentistry for children Aurora and why it’s considered a safe option.
How Safe is Dental Sedation for Children?
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry both updated their guidelines for providing sedation to children in 2019. These guidelines set forth a number of precautions that dentists can take to make sure their young patients are protected. For example, at least two people trained in advanced life support must be in the room at all times; this includes the dentist along with a physician/dentist anesthesiologist or a certified registered nurse anesthetist. These experts will be ready to act immediately if problems arise. Thanks to the proper precautions being taken, complications during sedation dentistry are rare.
What Kind of Dental Sedation Options are There for Children?
There are three major options for dental sedation that are suitable for children:
- Nitrous Oxide: This is the mildest form of sedation. The child will breathe in the nitrous oxide with a little oxygen, helping them relax. It will only take a few minutes for them to recover from the effects once the procedure is done.
- Oral Conscious: The child will be given oral medication to take before the procedure. They’ll still be awake during the procedure and can even follow directions from their dentist, but they may not remember anything about the treatment later. This is recommended for younger or particularly fearful children.
- IV Sedation: A child who has severe dental anxiety or is undergoing an extensive procedure may need IV sedation, sometimes referred to as deep sedation. The medication will be administered directly into the child’s veins. Their vital signs will be monitored at all times, and an expert will determine when they’re ready to go home.
As long as dentists take the right steps, the above forms of sedation can make a child’s dental visits much calmer, more straightforward affairs. Parents who have concerns about sedation process should bring them up while scheduling their child’s next appointment.
About the Practice
Here at Grand Dental – Aurora, your child can get the gentle, personalized care they need thanks to Dr. Shuran Liang a board-certified pediatric dentist. For frightened or nervous children, we offer various types of age-appropriate dental sedation to help them get through their appointments without putting themselves through too much stress. To schedule a checkup for your child and ask about sedation, visit our website or call (630) 898-3610.