Does Your Child Have Dental Anxiety? Here’s Why Sedation Dentistry Is Safe for Kids

While regular dental appointments are a crucial part of setting your child up for a lifetime with a healthy smile, many children experience anxiety or fear at the thought of sitting in the dentist’s chair. While many children can sit patiently through a dentist’s appointment with a little encouragement, some children are unable to tolerate the experience. Here’s why dental sedation is a safe option for children.

How Can Dental Sedation Be Safely Used for Children?

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry hold that dental sedation can be useful for helping children tolerate dental treatments when used appropriately. A dentist who is specially trained to perform pediatric dental sedation can work with you to select the best sedation method for your child. If necessary, they may communicate with your child’s pediatrician or other doctors.

What Types of Dental Sedation Can Be Used for Children

Several methods of dental sedation can be used for pediatric patients, including:

Nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”): Nitrous oxide has been safely used to treat dental patients for more than a century. It can be used to help a mildly anxious child relax in the dentist’s chair while staying awake and communicative. It can also be used as an anesthetic during procedures like filling placements. The effects begin almost immediately and wear off within minutes after treatment ends.

Oral conscious sedation: Children with higher levels of anxiety or who have difficulty wearing the mask for nitrous oxide may benefit from oral conscious sedation. This option is typically used for cases that require a minimal amount of dental work. While patients receiving this treatment may drift off into a light sleep, they can be awakened easily.

General anesthesia: Children with high anxiety levels or requiring extensive dental treatment may benefit from general anesthesia. This treatment will put your child to sleep, and they will feel no pain or have any memory of the treatment.

Using any drug involves some risk, and any form of dental sedation will be thoroughly discussed with the parents before being administered to a child. If your child has excessive anxiety about seeing the dentist, consulting with your dental healthcare provider can help determine if any of these treatments are right for them.

About the Author

Dr. Jason L. Kaopua earned his dental doctorate at Oregon Health & Sciences University. He has completed advanced training in specialty areas such as sleep apnea, dental implant placement, Invisalign, Lumineers, soft tissue laser treatment, and more. His office offers general, pediatric, emergency, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry in addition to dental sedation treatments. To learn more about dental sedation for pediatric patients, contact his office online or dial (425) 267-3333.