How To Decide Whether Sleep Dentistry Is Right For Your Child
Your child might feel anxious before going to see the dentist. One way to help your child feel calmer is through sleep dentistry. With the help of the proper sedatives, your child won't remember their trip to the dentist. But you might wonder what you should expect and whether anything about the procedure should make you worried.
The Requirements When Using Sleep Dentistry
To ensure the procedure is safe, a dentist must have at least two trained professionals who can provide life-supporting services while administering the sedatives. One individual will be the oral surgeon performing the procedure, and the other will be an independent observer.
Sedation Options
Sleep dentistry does not necessarily cause your child to fall asleep. For example, if your child takes a pill as instructed by the dentist, they will feel relaxed but will not fall asleep. Nitrous oxide is a common method that will use a gas to help your child feel comfortable and happy during the procedure.
IV Sedation
If your child is very anxious, the other methods might not be strong enough, and a pediatric dentist might recommend an intravenous sedation method. The sedative will be injected into your child's veins. They will feel more relaxed and might not remember the procedure at all.
Deep Sedation
Intravenous sedation might be used to put your child into deep sedation. This is useful if the goal is to not remember the procedure at all. However, throughout the procedure, your child's heart rate, blood pressure, heart rhythm, and oxygen saturation must be monitored by a professional while the dentist performs the procedure. However, this might be the best option for certain procedures requiring extensive surgery if you believe your child will not be able to tolerate the procedure otherwise.
How to Prepare for the Appointment
If your child will be undergoing sleep dentistry, asking the pediatric dentist how to prepare for the appointment is essential. For example, your child should not have anything to eat before the procedure other than liquid foods. Make sure to dress your child in comfortable clothing. Tell the dentist about your child's prescriptions because they might interfere with the medications.
What to Do After the Appointment
After the treatment, your child will likely feel very dizzy. You will want to monitor them after the procedure and call the dentist if there is anything about which you are concerned. Make sure they drink plenty of water.
Speak to a pediatric dentist to learn more.
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