Safety first. This isn’t just a required policy meant for construction environments or driving—it’s one of parents’ main mottos for raising little ones! From researching age-appropriate toys and product recalls to teaching stranger danger and using the right car seats, you probably worry about your child’s health and safety daily, including when they visit the dentist. If your anxious child needs sedation to stay still and calm, are these chemicals and medications safe for young bodies? Learn more about sedation dentistry options and how your pediatric dentist can put your own worries—as well as your child’s—to rest.
What Does Sedation Dentistry Affect Kids?
Not all sedatives are the same, and distinguishing them can help you understand which one could be right for your child to have a positive experience and procedure.
For kids that experience a small or moderate amount of fear or need just a little assistance to sit still, nitrous oxide can offer a milder solution. This gentle, odor-less gas comes through a nasal mask throughout treatment, and the warming, calming effect starts within just a few minutes of inhalation. The ratio between nitrogen and oxygen can be adjusted to increase or decrease comfort according to the patient’s needs, and this gas is safe enough to use on most patients, including children, because side effects are extremely rare.
In more extreme cases of anxiety or special needs, general anesthesia may become necessary. In this case, the patient would lose consciousness, but their vital signs would be closely monitored throughout the procedure and leave them with no memory of the work.
How Does My Pediatric Dentist Keep My Child Safe?
As a board-certified specialist, your pediatric dentist is well aware that experts make all the difference in certain areas of care. As a result, when taking advantage of sedation, they may choose to work with experienced anesthesiologists who work with kids regularly. Especially in general anesthesia cases, these providers can focus on your child’s vital signs and well-being while your pediatric dentist completes the essential dental work. Just in case something unforeseen happens, this specialist can step in and ensure your child’s safety and health.
As your child goes through the door to the dentist chair, you can relax and put your own mind at ease, knowing they will remain safe with the sedation they receive. Just as you wouldn’t purchase a baby or child product without research, make sure you find a pediatric dentist who puts safety first too!
About the Practice
Wash Park Pediatric Dentistry is completely dedicated to young patients under the age of 18. Board-certified pediatric dentists Dr. Patrick Bowman and Dr. Kathleen Waguespack bring in anesthesiologists to help with sedation dentistry to keep kids safe during treatment. If you have a child who feel anxious about dental visits or who has special needs, contact our Denver office and talk to us about their needs for their next appointment by calling 720-647-6310.