What You Need to Know About Kids and Dental Sedation

You may have seen headlines on safety issues for children and dental sedation in the past. These stories cause a great deal of concern for parents of children who may need sedation. Educating yourself on how it works and finding a great dental sedation dentist in Phoenix can help you make an informed decision. It’s important to know whether the benefits of dental sedation outweigh the risks for your child.

Reasons Why Kids May Need Dental Sedation

Not every child needs sedation dentistry for the same reasons. However, there are two main situations in which a child can benefit from sedation dentistry in Mesa.

Anxiety

Just like adults, children can be anxious about the procedure or be afraid of the dentist. If your child is overwhelmed about an upcoming visit or dental procedure, sedation may be a good option. It helps to ensure that your child is calm and prevents them from being scared even further.

To Complete a Dental Procedure

Young children may not be able to sit still, keep their mouth open or follow others directions for a prolonged period of time. This can make it challenging or impossible for a dentist to complete certain dental procedures. This includes filling cavities or performing a root canal. Sedation helps a dentist to complete a procedure safely on your child.

Dental Sedation Options Available for Children

Dental sedation for children can consist of nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas, a mild sedative pill or deep sedation which is completed via an IV. Laughing gas takes the edge off, which is perfect for children who may a little bit nervous or anxious. A mild sedative relaxes your child and limits their movement. They are still awake but may not able  to fully communicate or control their movements. With deep sedation, your child is put to sleep. The exact sedative they need varies based on their age, health, length of the dental procedure, and the reasons for sedation.

Dangers of Dental Sedation for Children

Nitrous oxide and mild sedation carry far fewer risks than deep sedation. Deep sedation is the riskiest of all of the dental sedation methods for children. All methods carry the risk of your child’s airway closing off and your child being unable to breathe. With deep sedation, the sedative impacts the entire body, so the risk is a bit higher compared with nitrous oxide and mild sedation.

Always consider these risks and ask plenty of questions if this option is recommended for your child. A good dentist will be happy to explain their methods, why they’re recommending deep sedation, and what they’ll do to keep your child safe.

What to Look For in a Dentist That Offers Dental Sedation to Kids

If your child needs dental sedation, find a dentist who has experience working with children and various sedatives. Take the time to look for a dental office who either uses deep sedatives in a hospital or with supervision from a licensed medical staff member. Having medical personnel on hand ensures that your child can be cared for immediately if something does go wrong. This can be the difference between life and death for your child. Additionally, in the state of Arizona, a dentist must have an sedation permit to sedate any patient moderately or deeply. Always ask if they have this permit.

Conclusion

If your child needs dental sedation in Mesa, Arizona, you want a dentist who works with and has proven experience safely sedating children. Here at Dental Brothers, we take the safety of our patients very seriously. If your child needs a dental procedure completed and needs to be sedated for that to happen, we can help. Call us and schedule a consultation with our office today.