Visiting the dentist shouldn’t be stressful for your little one. Find out how sedation dentistry could help.
Does telling your child that they are going to the dentist send them into a tizzy? Do you have to fight tooth and nail just to get your child into the dental office? While we understand that seeing the dentist isn’t the most fun part of anyone’s routine, it’s important for healthy growing smiles. Of course, our Weston, FL, pediatric dentist Dr. Yedda Gomes-Ruane also understands that some children’s fears are intense and debilitating. Find out whether sedation dentistry may help make their next visit a lot easier.
What is sedation dentistry?
It is important for parents to understand that sedation dentistry and sleep dentistry are not the same thing. Your child will be awake the entire time; however, what sedation does is help ease your child’s anxiety so they feel more relaxed and calm during their cleaning or dental procedure.
Of course, sedation dentistry can make children feel drowsy. Some children may even fall asleep during the procedure and not remember it at all. Every child will respond a bit differently to sedation dentistry and its effects; however, it is completely safe.
What kind of sedation dentistry is used?
Our Weston, FL, children’s dentist uses nitrous oxide to help ease your child’s fears and anxieties. Unlike oral medication, which can come with unpleasant side effects and can leave your little one feeling groggy for hours after their procedure, nitrous oxide won’t cause the same issues. Nitrous oxide (also known as “laughing gas”) is administered through a mask that is placed over your child’s nose prior to treatment.
We continue to monitor the level of gas, which is also combined with oxygen, to ensure that your child is getting the amount of sedation they require to stay cool and collected throughout the course of their dental visit. Once the nitrous oxide is administered in just a few short minutes they will start to feel the effects.
Once the procedure is over, we will remove the mask and the effects will quickly dissipate. This means that depending on the procedure that your child has undergone, they could potentially go back to their daily activities. Plus, they won’t continue to feel groggy or sleepy for hours after inhalation sedation, making it a great option for children of all ages who have a fear of the dentist.
If your child’s dental fears are making it challenging to get them into our Weston, FL, dental office, we are here to help. Call Dentistry for Children at Weston today to find out if sedation dentistry is the ideal option for your little one.