Is Dental Sedation Safe for Kids?

When your child needs a dental procedure, they sometimes need extra help to make it comfortable and a success. Children can have anxiety about visiting the dentist, have trouble sitting still for dental procedures, or have other reasons for dental appointments being stressful.

Happily, sedation dentistry is a safe and effective method that supports your nervous or squirmy child through all types of dental work. Learn more from Brent Herrin, DMD, and Allison Petty, DMD, pediatric dentists at Herrin Pediatric Dentistry in Marietta, GA, about the different types of sedation dentistry and if they’re right for your child.

Understanding dental sedation

Sedation dentistry is the use of medicine to help keep your child calm and relaxed during dental procedures. It can be used on children and adults.

From dental exams to longer, more complex procedures, our team can use sedation dentistry on any type of dental procedure when the situation is right for your child.

These are some of the situations where your child can benefit from sedation dentistry:

• Anxiety about visiting the dentist
• Trouble sitting still during appointments
• Needs a long, complex dental procedure
• High sensitivity to pain
• A sensitive gag reflex
• Special needs that make dental procedures more challenging

Types of dental sedation

Our team offers two different kinds of sedation dentistry: nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and IV (intravenous) sedation. We recommend the best procedure for your child based on the type of procedure they’re undergoing and their needs. 

Laughing gas

Laughing gas uses nitrous oxide to keep your child calm and still. They receive laughing gas through a mask, which works quickly at the beginning of an appointment.

Once the laughing gas begins working, your child remains alert, but their muscles relax, and they feel peaceful. After the procedure is complete, your child receives oxygen for 5 minutes to stop the effects of laughing gas. They can go home immediately afterward.

IV sedation

IV sedation puts your child in a twilight sleep throughout the dental work being performed. It’s administered by an IV drip, and our team carefully monitors your child throughout the procedure. The sedation is performed by a medical anesthesiologist. 

The safety of dental sedation

Dental sedation procedures are safe for nearly all children. To keep your child safe, carefully follow any before and after-care instructions given by our team.

For example, some types of sedatives require your child not to eat or drink before a procedure. A teenager with a driving license needs an adult to drive them home after the procedure, instead of driving themself.

For deeper forms of sedation, our team has multiple trained members monitor them throughout the procedure to ensure they are safe. Milder forms can be safely administered independently by the dentist.

Dental sedation not only is safe, but it also makes dental work easier for your child. Our team recommends the best and safest type of sedation for your child, considering their medical history and other needs. 

To discuss the possibility of dental sedation for your child, contact us to make an appointment.