Considering Sedation Dentistry for Your Child? Here’s What You Should Know

Dentophobia, or a fear of the dentist, is a fairly common problem. It’s particularly pressing in kids, though. One study estimated that about 30% of kids struggle with dental fear and anxiety (DFA). 

If your child is one of them, you’ve probably thought quite a bit about ways to help. You want them to visit the dentist regularly to maintain their oral health. When going to that appointment is like pulling teeth, though, it’s stressful for all of you.

That’s why Irene Zaki, DDS, offers sedation dentistry. With a variety of options to help your child relax while in the dentist’s chair, she makes it a more pleasant experience for everyone in your family. To explore how safe sedation works for children, come see us at Happy Teeth Children’s Dentistry in Riverside, California.

Here are a few things all parents should know about sedation dentistry for kids. 

It’s not one-size-fits-all

Dr. Zaki offers multiple forms of sedation dentistry. 

For many kids, laughing gas (nitrous oxide) does the trick. Your child breathes in this mild sedative while we examine and treat their teeth, and they remain relaxed throughout the appointment. It wears off quickly after we remove the mask. 

If your child doesn’t want to wear a mask, Dr. Zaki also offers oral sedation. This pill helps them relax. It takes about 24 hours to wear off fully. 

With both nitrous oxide and oral sedation, your child will be conscious during treatment, though they might feel a little loopy. Thanks to the sedative, they should feel much more comfortable as Dr. Zaki provides the dental care they need. 

For kids who need a higher level of sedation, Dr. Zaki offers it intravenously (via IV). This way, your child sleeps through their treatment. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) have determined that when administered properly, this form of sedation is safe for kids. 

They’re in good hands

We never take a set-it-and-forget-it approach with sedation dentistry. Instead, Dr. Zaki carefully applies her training in pediatric sedation dentistry throughout your child’s sedation. 

With laughing gas and oral sedation, your child can still communicate with us, which makes it easier to monitor how they’re doing. If we recommend deeper sedation, Dr. Zaki tracks their vitals the entire time. 

Sedation dentistry doesn’t have to be forever

Just because you choose sedation dentistry once doesn’t mean we recommend it every time you come to our office. 

For some kids, using an option like laughing gas for a few visits helps them get over their fear. Once they know our office is a safe, pain-free space, they don’t give the same level of pushback about getting dental care. 

We work with your family to figure out what’s best for your child. Dr. Zaki uses sedation dentistry as needed to support consistent dental care and a comfortable experience. 

To learn more about your options here and to talk with Dr. Zaki about what might be right for your child, call Happy Teeth Children’s Dentistry or schedule online today.