Dental Sedation: Is It Safe for Kids?

by Kevin Smith Author

Children who aren't fond of dental visits usually end up throwing tantrums. That's a big challenge for dentists since they won't be able to give kids proper dental care in such a situation. A sedative needs to be administered to help them stay put during long dental procedures.

Of course, as a parent, you want to know if this procedure is safe. It's best that you learn about what's happening during sedation. This way, you’ll understand what it does to your child so you won’t worry during the procedure.

What Kind of Sedative Is Used?

Practitioners of general sedation dentistry in Tomball, TX use various kinds of sedatives. Your dental professional will recommend what's best. Here's a rundown of sedatives available in the US:

●        General Anesthesia: Under this sedative, a child will totally be asleep and numbed. It can be given in dental clinics, hospitals, and ambulatory surgical centers.

●        Nitrous Oxide: Also known as "laughing gas" or "giggle gas," this mild sedative is very safe and non-invasive. It'll help a child remain calm during dental procedures.

●        Oral Sedatives: This kind of sedation may be used if a child is anxious before a dental procedure. It'll make them drowsy, so they remain calm during dental treatment.

●        IV Sedation: This anesthetic is injected into a child's vein. When it's in effect, they'll be awake but won't feel any pain. This is used in longer dental procedures.

Before Sedation

There are important rules for eating and drinking before taking an anesthetic. Your dentist will provide guidelines based on the child’s age. Some rules apply to them all though. For example, they're not allowed to eat solid food the night before the dental visit. This keeps them from vomiting during their procedure.

At the Dental Clinic

Parents should encourage them to be brave during a dental visit. You can talk to them or bring their comfort object. Meanwhile, the dental staff will check medical history, weight, and vital signs.

You’ll also have to sign a consent form before they give the sedative. For this, the dentist's assistant will further explain how they will be sedated. Their blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen, and temperature will be closely monitored by specialists during the procedure.

After Sedation

Young patients recovering from sedation may react differently when the medication wears off. The doctor will call you into their room to give them support. Some are confused, cry, get nauseous, or vomit. These sound worrisome, but these are all normal reactions that will go away after some time.

Going to school or performing physical activities isn't advisable until they regain their strength after a full day of rest. Only soft food should be given for the first few hours after the procedure.

Is General Sedation Safe for Children?
Yes, dental sedation is safe for children. Administrative bodies of general sedation dentistry in Tomball, TX have strengthened the safety standards of dental anesthetic services. Dentists, like other doctors, will always take precautions in sedating a patient. They'll take note of the medical and dental history to assess whether they're eligible for the process.

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Created on May 18th 2019 02:44. Viewed 300 times.

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