Is Sedation Dentistry Safe for Kids?

‍

It's no secret: kids love candy and other sweet treats. This explains why 52% of kids aged between 6 and 8 years old have a cavity in at least one tooth. The bright side is that pediatric dentists can always address these cavities and other dental complications, but not without sedation dentistry.  

‍

Sedation dentistry specializes in the administration of sedatives during treatment to keep patients at ease and eliminate dental phobia and anxiety. However, there’s always the worry that kids may not be able to handle the sedatives with their tiny, feeble frames. In today’s post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about sedation dentistry and whether they’re safe for kids.

‍

How Safe Is Sedation Dentistry for Kids?

‍

Sedation dentistry is perfectly safe for kids, but only if administered by a licensed and qualified pediatric dentist or anesthesiologist. These dental professionals must adhere to stringent protocols and guidelines during sedation dentistry to ensure the safety of kids during sedation and the entire treatment process.

‍

Furthermore, pediatric dentists only recommend dental sedation when absolutely necessary. They’ll first explore non-invasive and non-sedative techniques before resorting to invasive dental sedation.

‍

Factors Affecting the Safety of Sedation Dentistry for Kids

‍

Several factors come into play when determining how safe sedation dentistry is for your kids. Some of the most crucial factors include:

‍

Age of the Child: Dental sedation is safer for older kids than younger ones. Older kids have more advanced physical development, and their bodies are better suited for handling the sedative and assimilating it once treatment concludes.

‍

Medical history: Kids with respiratory and heart complications may not be suitable for sedation dentistry. Sedation may overwhelm the affected body systems and exacerbate the complications, doing more harm than good. It’s also worth noting that certain medications can interact with the sedative and have adverse effects on your child.

‍

Type of sedation: Sedation intensity varies with the type of sedation. Strong sedation techniques may be unsuitable for kids below certain ages. Our pediatric dentists will only recommend appropriate sedation methods for specific ages.

‍

Can I Skip Sedation Dentistry for My Kids?

‍

The decision on whether your child requires dental sedation lies with the dentist in charge of the treatment. However, you can express your concerns, and the dentist will come up with alternative non-sedative treatment options, but only for simple procedures. Sedation dentistry is inevitable for complex and lengthy procedures.

‍

Contact Us for Top-Tier Pediatric Dental Care

‍

Sedation dentistry is safe for kids, but only if you find the right dental care provider for your kids. The dentists at Blue Skies Pediatric Dentistry are highly trained, with years of experience handling kids of all ages, from babies to adolescents and pre-teens. We’ll ensure safe sedation and a successful dental procedure to keep your little one’s dental health in tip-top shape.

‍Schedule an appointment with Blue Skies Pediatric Dentistry today for all your child’s dental health needs. Your little one deserves nothing but the best!