Whether your child is walking for the first time or riding a bike, the main thing that might’ve been in your head is that they are safe. You might be right there behind them ready to catch them. It’s only natural to want to keep them away from harm, including during visits to their pediatric dentist. If they are anxious, sedation dentistry might’ve been recommended by their provider, but is it safe for kids? Here’s a guide to ease your own nerves.
What Does Sedation Dentistry Do?
Sedation dentistry is designed to help your loved one relax, but not all forms are the same. Understanding which ones are offered by their dentist can be a good start in ensuring they have a good experience.
Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is a common one that many kids get. It’s an odorless gas they breathe in through a mask put over their nose. It’s a mix of nitrogen and oxygen that can be adjusted to match what your child needs. It takes a few minutes to kick in and clear their system. That means side effects are rare!
This option also keeps your loved one conscious, so they’ll be awake and aware. A few patients might fall asleep on their own, but they can be woken up with a couple of light nudges.
On the other hand, general anesthesia may be recommended for those with severe anxiety or special needs. For this one, it does render kids unconscious, but a trained professional will watch their vital signs the entire time. Many also don’t remember the work being done.
How Does My Child’s Pediatric Dentist Keep Them Safe?
With dental sedation, your child’s safety is important to their pediatric dentist. Many providers actually have advanced training and experience, allowing them to administer it to little ones without any worry. There are decades of research behind modern usage, so you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing your kid is in good hands.
General anesthesia is a bit different because many pediatric dentists partner with other experts or a local hospital. This ensures every reasonable precaution is taken to make your child’s experience easy and efficient. If the unforeseen occurs, the specialists will be able to step in right away.
While you might’ve been nervous about sedation dentistry, it’s a powerful tool to help make your loved one’s visit stress-free. Their provider is here for you, so don’t hesitate to ask them all the questions you have.
About the Practice
Our team at The Dentists at Orenco for Kids strives to make dental care for little ones as seamless as possible. Led by Dr. Andrea Beltzner and Dr. Michael Royse, we work to create a comfortable practice your child can feel better in. If they need help easing their anxiety, we offer dental sedation as an effective solution. If you want to learn more about this service, schedule an appointment or call our office at 503-640-6565.