Learn How In-Office Sedation Helps Children with Special Needs
Explore in-office sedation to ease your child’s dental anxiety.
If you have a child with special needs, you know how hard it can be to get them comfortable in new or unfamiliar situations. The good news is dentists have a range of accommodations and strategies that can be tailored to your child’s individual needs.
At Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry in Salem, Oregon, our team offers in-office sedation, which works to keep your child calm so their visit to our office is easier on everyone involved. Read on to learn more about sedation dentistry for children at Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry.
Understanding the Challenges of Pediatric Dentistry
There are many reasons why it might be difficult for children to have a peaceful dental visit. Some children have difficulty sitting still for long periods of time, some children have anxiety, while others may have sensory sensitivities and are bothered by the sounds and smells of the dental office.
If your child isn’t comfortable at the dentist’s office, it can affect their oral health because the Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry team won’t be able to give them a complete and thorough dental evaluation. Without properly evaluating your child’s teeth and mouth, little dental issues could be missed, becoming larger dental problems over time. Whatever the reason your child is unsure of the dentist, you can reassure them that the Spinnaker team is in their corner and wants to make their dental visit as painless and relaxing as possible.
What is in-office sedation?
At Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry in Salem, OR, we offer three different types of in-office sedation:
- Laughing Gas or Nitrous Oxide: This is a mild sedative that your child will breathe in through a mask. It keeps your child awake and alert, but helps them feel calm during their dental visit.
- Oral Sedation: This is a pill or liquid medication that is given to your child orally that will make them drowsy, but still responsive during their dental visit.
- IV Sedation: For complex dental procedures, IV sedation is often needed. This medication is administered through an IV and will put your child in a deep sedation state.
The type of sedation that’s best for your child will depend on their needs and the type of dental treatment they’re receiving. Our team will thoroughly discuss the benefits of each type of sedation with you before choosing the best method for your child.
Safety Measures and Professional Care
So how can you be sure that in-office sedation is safe? The Spinnaker Pediatric Dental team is trained in sedation dentistry and continues their education to learn about new techniques in dental science as soon as they are available. Before your child undergoes sedation for their dental visit, our team will speak with you and your child and come up with a detailed plan that will keep everyone’s comfort and safety in mind. You can trust the Spinnaker team because our goal is to help your child with their smile in a way that is as easy and stress-free as possible.
Preparing for the Appointment
As with most things in life, preparation is key to success, and pediatric dental visits are no different. On the day before your child’s dental visit, have a conversation with them about their upcoming appointment. Explain what the dentist will do during their evaluation, and let them know that the dentist will give them something to help them stay calm and comfortable. Try your best not to talk negatively about the dentist or let your own anxiety show because your child will pick up on your emotions.
If it makes your child feel more comfortable, have them bring their favorite comfort item to their visit, like a stuffed animal or blanket.
Schedule a visit at Spinnaker today!
If your child has special needs and/or is anxious about visiting the dentist, the Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry team has the experience and options to help them receive the treatment they need in comfort. Whether that is through in-office dental sedation or not, our team wants to work with you and your child to make sure their dental visits go off without a hitch. Give us a call today to schedule your child’s next appointment!
