7 Sedation Dentistry Myths for Kids
Many children and adults fear visiting the dentist because the thought of having their teeth cleaned or drilled during procedures makes them anxious. Furthermore, unfamiliar people, sounds, and sights make children more reluctant to visit the dentist.
This, however, comes at a cost; you will suffer from toothaches that may eventually lead to tooth loss. Therefore, if your child avoids the dentist, sedation dentistry will take care of their anxiety.
Sedation dentistry, also called sleep dentistry, is a type of oral health care that uses medications to help you relax during different dental procedures. It can be used while undergoing dental cleanings or invasive procedures.
The level of sedation varies and may include:
- Minimal sedation
- Moderate sedation
- Deep sedation.
- General anesthesia where you are entirely unconscious
Visiting our dentist at 85054 can help your children feel more at ease. We use nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, to ease our dental procedures and help your children enjoy our services in a stress-free way.
However, some myths on sedation dentistry may deter your child from getting dental care at our kid’s dentist near you in Phoenix, AZ. This article will help you demystify them. Read on.
- Sedation is only for kids afraid of pain.
Using sedation to help kids who cannot withstand the pain of dental procedures is a great option, but there are many more applications. If your child will undergo a lengthy procedure or might have a gag effect, then sedation dentistry is an excellent option for them to enjoy a smooth visit to the dentist.
- Getting sedated is not safe.
Another myth is that using nitrous oxide to sedate your child during a visit to their pediatric dentistry is unsafe. This is not true because our pediatric dentist at Phoenix will ensure that your child is the right candidate for the procedure before sedating them.
There are also different types of sedation, and your child’s dentist will ensure your kid uses the right one. Sedation dentistry also makes other invasive procedures safe for your child.
- It requires a painful needle prick.
Almost all children suffer from the fear of needles or injections, and often this fear prevents them from visiting the dentist for any medical procedure. Luckily not all sedation is administered by injections, and various options can be used.
In children, nitrous oxide sedation is the common sedation because there is no pain experienced while using it. Therefore, if your child suffers from fear of injections, you can talk to your dentist about the administration options.
- Sedation is only meant for adults.
Sedation dentistry isn’t restricted to any age group. It is applied to anyone, whether a child or an adult. Sleep dentistry helps children fight the anxiety issues that they may have while undergoing dental procedures. Light sedatives can help children relax when the dentist is cleaning or treating their teeth.
- Sedation immediately makes you sleep.
The effect of sedation varies from one person to another. The same applies to children. It also depends on the type of procedure that you are undergoing. As discussed above, there are levels of sedation, and none of them can make you utterly unaware of your surroundings. All types of sedation only work to block the anxiety or pain that you may experience during the procedure. It does not knock you out completely.
- Nitrous Oxide will make you giggle.
Albeit nitrous oxide being referred to as laughing gas, you won’t be laughing or fighting back laughter when your dentist at Desert Ridge Pediatric Dentistry will be working in your mouth. It will help you relax, and it does not make you sleep. In addition, you will be able to respond to any question asked by your dentist.
- There is only one type of sedation.
There are four types of sedation, and the most common one is nitrous oxide, where your dentist administers it using a mask that covers your nose. It is meant to ease pain and help you relax. Others may include intravenous sedation administered through the veins, oral sedatives, and general anesthesia, mainly used during major procedures.