Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is the use of sedatives to ensure that your child stays calm during the dental procedure but not asleep. It is recommended by dentists if multiple dental procedures need to be performed or if the child is feeling highly scared and nervous about the procedure.

Mild sedatives or calming drugs can be used to alleviate your child’s anxiety while he/she receives dental care. It is a routine procedure when multiple dental procedures need to be performed in the children or if your child has a strong gag reflex.

It is important for parents to understand that sedatives do not control the pain during a dental procedure. To ensure a pain-free treatment, the dentist will give your child certain analgesic medications. The effect of sedatives may last up to 6 hours after the procedure.

Types of Sedatives in Pediatric Dentistry

Nitrous Oxide

Also popularly known as the laughing gas, this sedative is super safe and mild. It will help your child to stay calm and relaxed during their dental appointment. To administer the medication, your dentist will use a ‘space mask’. This mask carries nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen. Your child will then be asked by the dentist to breathe through the nose and he/she will be able to sense a sweet and faint smell.

It will take approximately 5 minutes for the sedation to come into effect. Please note that your child will be happy throughout the dental procedure and the nitrous oxide gas will be turned off once the procedure is completed.

Then, your child will be asked to breathe in pure oxygen for 5 minutes to clear out any remaining nitrous oxide. Before you take your child for a dental appointment that requires the administration of such sedatives, it is recommended that you feed him/her only light meals such as a toast or bagel.

Oral Sedatives

If your child is feeling nervous or anxious about the dental procedure, then the dentist will administer certain oral sedatives. These sedatives can be taken either through the nose or through the mouth.

The medication will begin showing its effect within 20 minutes. If your dentist recommends administering oral sedatives to your child, then ensure that your child doesn’t eat or drink anything after midnight before the appointment.

IV Sedation

During IV sedation, a needle is inserted in your child’s arm and is usually recommended by dentists for a longer dental procedure. This allows a higher concentration of sedatives to be administered. However, you need to prepare your child at home to receive this type of sedation.

General Anaesthesia

Under general anaesthesia, the child will remain asleep throughout the dental procedure and an anaesthesiologist will monitor your child’s vitals during it. This is commonly employed by dentistry when a child needs extensive and complicated dental procedures.

Home Preparation Before Sedation

If your child needs to be administered with sedatives for a dental procedure, then there are certain rules related to eating and drinking that must be followed before the procedure.

Your dentist will make you note down important instructions about eating and drinking based on your child’s age. Here are some of the instructions that you will need to follow:

Infants Below 12 Months of Age:

-Formula-fed children can be given formulas up to 6 hours before the dental appointment.

-Breastfed children can be nursed up to 4 hours before the dental appointment.

General Rules for Children of All Age Groups:

-Do not give your child any liquids (other than water) or solid foods after midnight the night before the dental appointment. Stay clear of any milk, juices, formulas, coffee, candy, etc.

-If your child is hungry, feed them only clear liquids such as water or apple juice up to 2 hours before the dental appointment.

-If your child is on any other medication, you can give it as long as not specifically prohibited by the dentist.

Getting Sedated

Once your child is all set for getting sedated, a member of the dental clinic will come and meet you. He/she will take your child’s weight, medical history, and vitals. You will also need to sign a consent form before the procedure can begin.

-After this, the dentist will meet up with you and your child to explain the type of sedation your child will receive and dive into further details about the dental procedure.

-The sedation can be administered either through the mouth, nose, or IV.

-The administered sedative can work through either of these two ways - a single dose that will take its effect slowly and last throughout the dental procedure or in a continuous dosage form through an IV.

-You can stay with your child until they get drowsy. Throughout the dental procedure, your child’s vitals such as blood oxygen level, heart rate, temperature, and blood pressure shall be recorded by the monitors.

How to Calm Your Child Down Before the Sedation Procedure?

As a parent, it can be a difficult experience for you to watch your child go through sedation. And as you know, children can sense their parent’s fear and concern. Therefore, to comfort your child before the procedure, you must let your fears take a back seat and be an encouraging role model.

-You can bring your child their favourite soft toy or any other comfort item to help them stay strong throughout the procedure.

-You can keep touching your child’s arm to make them feel that you’re next to them.

-You can even talk to your child throughout the procedure to reassure them.

What Happens After the Sedation?

-After the dental procedure is completed, you’ll be called to the exam room to stay with your child as the sedation starts to wear off. The time taken for the sedation to wear off varies for every child.

-Your child can react in different ways when they come out of the sedation. He/she can be fussy, confused, feel sick, or may even cry. Just remember that these reactions are absolutely normal and will fade away as soon as the medication wears off.

-Once discharged, your child may still feel drowsy and nauseous. Therefore, ensure that they take the rest of the day easy.

At Home Care After the Dental Procedure

-Due to the sedative medication, your child’s mouth, nose, and throat might stay numb for one to two hours.

-Depending upon the dental procedure, your child’s mouth might also be sore for a few days.

-Therefore, when your child starts to eat or drink anything one to two hours after the procedure, ensure that you watch them carefully so that they don’t bite their tongue or the inside of their mouth.

-Only feed your child soft food for the first few hours after the dental procedure.