Is Oral Sedation Safe For Children?

Posted on 3/7/2022 by Fariba Mutschler

Young children may require thorough dental care if they are experiencing toothache. In some cases, general anesthesia or sedation may be required to carry out the procedure.

Sedation is the use of medication to relax your child before the treatment. It may be required if the procedure is long, children fear dental care, or for children with special needs.

Types of Sedation

Dental sedation is rather mild and does not put the child to sleep. It helps reduce their anxiety and allows their dentist to provide a safe and pain-free treatment. Here are different types of sedation:

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is often known as “laughing gas” or “giggle gas”. It is typically mild and non-invasive. Children are able to inhale this along with a little oxygen. It does not make them fall asleep, but helps them feel calmer. Some children even tend to feel slightly lightheaded or silly while under sedation.

Mild Sedation

This medication is generally reserved for older children and adults. Your child is able to stay awake and may even follow the dentist's instructions while under the medicine's influence. After the treatment is over, it is possible that your child would be unable to clearly remember details about the visit to the dentist.

Moderate Sedation

Moderate sedation gets your child drowsier, but they may still be able to do what the dentist asks them to do during the procedure. This medication is also more suitable for older children and adults as compared to anxious, young children. They can breathe normally and wake up easily.

Deep Sedation

Intravenous (IV) medications are given to the child to help them sleep throughout the treatment. An additional qualified expert, such an anesthesiologist, is often present to monitor your child's heart rhythm, breathing, and blood pressure until they wake up.

Dental sedation is usually safe to administer. At Great Grins for KIDS - Portland we make sure we sedation is only used when required. You can trust our experts to suggest the appropriate form of sedation according to your child's age and nature of the procedure. To schedule an appointment, call us at (971) 470-0054 today.

My daughter was a little nervous to have her dental work done but everyone in the office was super friendly and very reassuring and that helped her nervousness go away. Thanks for the excellent dental experience. ~ Lilyana G.

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Our Dental Blog | Great Grins Pediatric Dentistry - Portland, OR
Dr. Fariba Mutschler & Dr. Mark Mutschler have created this informative blog to help educate the community. If you like an article or the dental blog in general please use the share it button to post to Facebook, Twitter, or Google+.
Great Grins for KIDS Portland, 13908 SE Stark Street, Ste C, Portland, OR 97233-2161 ~ (971) 470-0054 ~ portlandchildrensdentist.com ~ 10/7/2024 ~ Related Phrases: pediatric dentist Portland ~