Is Dental Sedation Safe for Kids?

Some children need extra care and consideration at the dentist due to dental anxiety or a mental or physical disability. Parents, guardians, and caregivers can feel confident that dental sedation is safe and painless with minimal side effects and can help your child have a positive experience at the dentist.

Dental Sedation Safety

Sedation is safe when administered by our specially-trained team at Safari Children’s Dentistry & Braces! Your child’s safety and oral health are our highest priorities. We closely monitor and assess your child during treatment and when receiving sedation to make sure they remain stable and comfortable.babynamesdiary.com

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and state dental boards are in charge of sedation guidelines. The most common types of sedation are nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. These types of sedation can make your child feel sleepy but do not render them unconscious. General anesthesia is the only sedation type where your child is unconscious. If you have concerns or questions about our recommendations, please let us know.

Relaxation & Pain Relief

Though routine care like cleanings and exams are pain-free, they can still cause distress for a child afraid of the dental tools. Dental sedation can relax even the most anxious child. For procedures like root canals or fillings, we use a local anesthetic to completely numb the gums and teeth but the added relaxation of sedation will help your child feel even more comfortable and calm during the procedure.

Minimal Side Effects

Nitrous oxide doesn’t cause any lingering side effects. For other forms of sedation, drowsiness is the most common side effect. Though patients also sometimes experience dry mouth, headaches, nausea, and dizziness. These are usually mild and fade within 12-24 hours.

Relaxing Dental Sedation at Our Office

Dental anxiety can make getting essential oral health care miserable, so we’re happy to provide dental sedation for anxious patients. We always get a full rundown of your child’s medical history, current health status, and any other accommodations they might need. If you have a child who might need sedation or you have other questions, please contact us today!