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Just like adults, kids should visit their dentist at least twice each year for a preventive exam. But what if, during an exam, your child’s dentist discovers that your little one needs a procedure that could cause them some discomfort? Sedation may be presented as a way to help your son or daughter enjoy a pain-free, stress-free dental care experience. Still, you might wonder if sedation dentistry is really safe for children. In most cases, it is very low-risk. Continue reading this blog post to learn more.
The Safety of Dental Sedation
When administering sedation to anyone — especially children — dentists have to follow strict safety guidelines. They carefully adhere to such regulations because they want to minimize the risk that anything will go wrong.
Some steps that the dental team may take in order to protect your child include:
- Using the mildest dose of sedation possible.
- Carefully monitoring your child’s breathing and other vital statistics.
- Thoroughly screening your child for any health issues that might have a bearing on their candidacy for sedation.
Potential Risks and Side Effects of Sedation
Some mild side effects are common with sedation. For example, your child might have a light headache or experience a bit of grogginess. If they were under the influence of oral conscious sedation, they may remain tired for several hours after the procedure. They might also say or do some silly things. These side effects are normal and usually nothing to worry about.
It is rare for a child to have a severe adverse reaction to sedation. If such a situation arises, it is usually identified while the patient is still in the dental office. Your child’s care team will take quick action to handle the problem or call emergency services.
The Rewards Outweigh the Risks
The rewards of dental sedation for children far outweigh any risks. Here are some benefits that your child may experience:
- A positive dental care experience. A comfortable experience can help your child to avoid traumatic memories that might make them reluctant to seek dental care later in life.
- Faster treatment. When a patient is calm and relaxed, the dental team can work as quickly as possible. Your child can go home that much sooner!
- Safer treatment. If a child has behavioral issues, they might lash out when frightened. Sedation can calm them down and make the treatment experience safer for everyone.
Sedation is a great option for most children who must undergo invasive dental procedures. Ask your family dentist if it may be able to benefit your young one.
Meet the Practice
At Baytown Gentle Dental, Dr. Ashraf Seif and our team welcome patients of all ages, including children. We want everyone to have a comfortable and safe experience in our office, so we administer sedation with great care. To learn more about how we may be able to serve your family, get in touch with us at 281-837-9122.