You announce to your child that it’s time to go to the dentist and the news is not well met. Some degree of dental anxiety is perfectly normal for children as they encounter new surroundings, new faces, and noises and sensations that are, quite literally, right inside their heads.
The experienced and compassionate team here at My Kidz Dentist understands this challenge, which is why we offer sedation dentistry designed for kids.
Here’s a look at how sedation dentistry offers a more relaxing experience while keeping safety top of mind.
As we mentioned, it’s not at all uncommon for kids to have anxiety surrounding medical care, which includes dentistry. One study among children aged 10-14 years found that 42% of participants experienced some degree of fear when it comes to dental work, but the good news is that this fear decreased with age and experience.
To ensure that your child builds the best possible experiences at our practice, we offer sedation dentistry, which is a safe and effective way to provide the dental work your child needs. Whether it’s a routine teeth cleaning appointment or a more complex procedure like remedying tooth decay, sedation dentistry allows us to protect your child’s teeth to set them up for a lifetime of great dental health.
Outside of anxiety, some children also struggle to stay still during dental visits, especially if it’s a longer procedure, such as when we need to clear out tooth decay and fill in cavities. In these cases, sedation dentistry can play a valuable role in keeping your child calm and quiet during their dental visit with us.
At our practice, we offer two types of sedation dentistry, which include:
Either before you come in for your scheduled appointment or once you and your child arrive, we supply your child with an oral medication that will relax them, without putting them to sleep.
Once your child is comfortable, we perform the necessary work, after which the sedative should begin to wear off. Bear in mind that your child may still feel a little groggy when they leave so you shouldn’t plan on any activities for a few hours after their appointment.
Another great approach to sedation dentistry is nitrous oxide, which is also known as “laughing gas.” Nitrous oxide is known as a conscious sedative, which means your child will be awake the entire time. In fact, its euphoric effects may even make them quite happy.
To administer the nitrous oxide, we place a mask over your child’s nose and mouth, which they wear throughout the entire procedure. Once we’re finished, we stop the supply of nitrous oxide and administer 5-10 minutes of oxygen to flush the gas out of their system. Once complete, there are no aftereffects from the nitrous oxide, which means you both can get back to your regular routine.
The bottom line is that we hate to see dental anxiety get in the way of your child’s oral health, which is why we offer a safe and effective avenue through sedation dentistry.
If you have more questions about sedation dentistry, please contact one of our three offices in Phoenix, Arizona.
