As a parent, the child’s safety is always a priority. Parents try their best to give their child a comfortable life. Any parent would want to give their child a healthy life. Dental care is very crucial for children. Children tend to eat a lot of fast food, chocolates, burgers, other unhealthy food. These unhealthy food tend to erode and eat away the healthy teeth. Hence regular dental check-ups are essential.
Dental check-ups, these days, are very meticulous and precise. Dentists now have several instruments and tools in his chamber. These can often intimidate the children. Children are usually scared of needles and piercing tools. But sometimes, just like adults, kids may suffer from anxiety. Dental check-up for such patients become a problem. In such cases, IV sedation dentistry is a solution. It helps to combat fear and anxiety. It also helps to reduce pain.
Dental sedation lets the child go through the procedure smoothly without any hassle. Dental procedures are complex; in such cases, IV sedation is the best option.
What does Dental sedation mean?
Dental sedation is a simple procedure. It involves the administration of some medicine to calm the nerves. Dental sedation helps the patient to relax and combat anxiety. Sedation can be of various types. You can inhale it; take it orally, or through an intravenous line in the hand or arm.
Dental sedation sounds very accessible, but it is not. The dentist usually orders some review of certain medical conditions. The inspection includes the current medication too. Patients who have health issues like high blood pressure, apnea and more are not eligible for dental sedation. But this is for the doctor to decide, often such patients can opt for the sedation depending on the type of sedation administered.
What are the various types of dental sedation available?
Understand your choices completely before you seek dental sedation.
- Nitrous oxide: This sedative is on the milder side. It is comparatively less invasive and is therefore known as the laughing gas. This mild sedative helps children to relax. It is not strong enough to put them to sleep. Nitrous oxide is one of the most popular dental sedation.
- Mild sedation: This sedative is not strong at all. Mild sedation is suitable for older children. In this case, the child is in a relaxed and calm state. The child would be awake and in senses. He would be able to follow what the dentist instructs. But the sedation is quite effective. After the procedure, the patient hardly has any consciousness of the method.
- Oral Sedation: Oral sedation is a boon in dental care. It is a form of anxiety medication. It ensures that the patient remains calm throughout the process. Usually, two doses of medications are the usual dosage. One pill, on the night before, and the other just before the appointment. The dosage depends on the age, weight, and health of the child (patient). This mild sedation allows the patient to interact with the dentist. In oral sedation, the patient remembers everything from their procedure even after the medication wears off. But it is advisable to sleep the sedation off.
- IV Sedation: IV sedation is a much stronger sedative. An IV sedation is an anti-anxiety medication. This method puts the patient into a deep sleep. It is a stronger sedative than oral sedation. After this sedation, the patient would most likely not remember anything about the procedure.
But for IV sedation a proper check-up is a must. The doctor will ensure that the patient is fit and healthy enough to undergo this strong sedation. During the sedation, the vitals like heart rate and blood pressure are continuously monitored to ensure the patient’s safety. When it comes to children, the case is a little more serious.
How safe is IV sedation for children?
To ensure the child’s safety during the IV sedation, the dentist allows the presence of two people in the room. The attendants are professionals so that they can provide assistance in case any problem arises. Out of the two, one is the dentist himself, or the oral surgeons. The other observer is an independent observer. The independent observer has to be a physician, an anesthesiologist or a dentist anesthesiologist. For IV sedation in the case of kids, extreme caution is crucial.
Dental fear and anxiety are real. For adults, it might be easy to combat. But for children, the risk is higher. A number of precautions are crucial. Children, unlike adults, have different physical and emotional status. And hence, it has to be dealt with care. Studies show that IV sedation cannot be claimed to be absolutely safe. But with proper supervision, it is one of the best ways to deal with dental anxiety in kids.