At Driftwood Dental our dental team recommends different dental sedation options for children that have extreme anxiety or fear when visiting the dentist, or have special needs that can make undergoing dental health care difficult or impossible otherwise. Today, our Courtenay dentists discuss dental sedation options for children.
We realize that the thought of giving sedative drugs to children can make parents feel uneasy, especially when it comes to dental care. Parents often ask us if it’s worth it for a simple dental treatment. Isn't it going a step too far? Shouldn't they allow their children to grow accustomed to visiting the dentist naturally?
There is no doubt that sedation and anesthesia should be taken very seriously. However, these procedures are safe for a child when used judiciously, and managed by experienced and trained medical professionals.
Sedatives can play a key role in providing children with necessary and critical dental healthcare.
Benefits of Dental Sedation for Children
It can be very stressful and scary for some children to visit the dentist. There are many unfamiliar smells, sights, and sounds at the dentist's office that could be very overwhelming for kids! Unfortunately, lots of people take these negative childhood experiences with them into adulthood and develop phobias around dental care.
Sedation could be valuable when it comes to treating anxious children without causing more distress, providing them with a positive dental experience.
Positive early dental experiences can often pave the way for a healthy, confident approach to dental care for these children as they grow up. In turn, this can mean a lifetime of better oral health!
What Are The Dental Sedation Options?
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous Oxide is a sedative given to patients by mixing it with Oxygen. It helps calm patients down if they are feeling anxious, nervous or afraid. It’s imperative for parents to know that the use of Nitrous Oxide doesn't impair a patient’s reflexes and doesn't make them unconscious.
Oral Conscious Sedation
There is a range of medications that can achieve oral conscious sedation. Our Courtenay dentists can suggest the oral conscious sedation options that are most appropriate for your child and can answer any questions or concerns you might have about it.
While oral conscious sedation doesn't usually make a patient unconscious, it can make them drowsy enough to sleep during the procedure. Many patients do not have any memory of their dental procedure after the effect of the sedation wears off.
General Anesthesia
General Anesthesia is used to make a patient unconscious. Anesthesia is usually recommended for patients with limited comprehension, serious behavioural challenges, and/or high sensitivity to pain.
Our dental team makes quality dental care a priortiy for your children with utmost safety and comfort.