How to Prepare for Child Sedation: 7 Things Every Parent Must Know First

Life Happens, Sedation Dentistry Is Here to Help

In an ideal world, teeth wouldn’t break, they wouldn’t come in at strange angles, and we wouldn’t ever have to worry about tooth decay. But here’s the thing: we aren’t in an ideal world. Children get cavities, have accidents, and need the resulting dental work. Occasionally, that means sedation dentistry is necessary. If this is the case for your little one, rest assured that it is a common thing for many children. It’s an excellent tool to help kids stay calm and comfortable throughout.

Does your child have an upcoming appointment for sedation dentistry? Here’s how a little bit of preparation can help the day go more easily for everyone involved.

1. Understand Why Sedation Is Being Recommended

When it comes to sedation dentistry, it is important to understand why it’s recommended. The reasons can vary drastically, depending on the situation and the child themselves. For example, some children have severe anxiety and need that extra help during dental cleanings. Some children have special needs where they either can’t fully understand what’s going on, or don’t have the ability to sit still long enough to remain safe throughout the appointment.

Another common reason for sedation dentistry is when children need dental work done. Often, sedation dentistry is the best way to ensure they are comfortable throughout and often limits the chances of them developing dental anxiety later on.

2. Know Which Type of Sedation Your Child Is Having

When making the game plan for your child’s upcoming appointment with sedation dentistry, it’s important to know what kind of sedation will be used.

Nitrous oxide is one of the most common forms of sedation dentistry. It’s frequently referred to as laughing gas and has been used for generations. If this is the kind of sedation that suits your child best, you can expect it to wear off quickly after the appointment, ensuring your child will be back to their typical self by the time you get home.

Oral conscious sedation is another common form of sedation dentistry. With this, you can expect your child to be rather drowsy and relaxed. They will remain completely awake throughout their appointment, but it shouldn’t be uncomfortable at all.

At Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry, we offer in-office general anesthesia. This kind of sedation dentistry is good for extensive procedures or those with complex medical needs. With this method, your child will be put under for the duration of the procedure. They will remain calm and comfortable throughout the treatment.

3. Follow Eating and Drinking Instructions Carefully

Before your child’s appointment, you will be given strict instructions for preparation. This frequently includes food and drink restrictions. This is incredibly important to pay attention to. If your child eats or drinks when they are not supposed to, their procedure will need to be rescheduled to keep them safe.

4. Talk to Your Child in Simple, Calm Language

If your child has an upcoming appointment that involves sedation dentistry, it’s completely normal to wonder how you will talk to them about it.

When you talk to your child about their appointment, watch the tone of your voice. If you have any of your own anxieties, it’s time to put those away. Your little one will hear any fear that you might have, and you don’t want them to adopt it as their own. In the same way, try to use positive language. Avoid triggering words like shot or even, scary.

5. Plan for the Day of the Appointment

It’s important to make a plan for the day of the appointment to ensure everything runs smoothly and with as little stress as possible. Be sure to arrive early to avoid any unexpected surprises on the drive over. This also ensures you have plenty of time to complete any necessary paperwork for your child.

What about plans for your little one? If your child has a favorite comfort toy or blanket, bring it along! Sometimes having their favorite comfort item from home is all the help they need!

6. Expect Changes in Behavior After the Visit

After your little one’s appointment, it’s important to realize that there might be some changes in their behavior for a short time after the appointment. This can vary depending on the kind of sedation they were given and the child themselves. Typically, this includes drowsiness, mood changes, or just the need for some extra sleep. Be prepared to have a calm day afterward.

7. Ask Questions Ahead of Time

Before the appointment, it’s important to ask any questions you might have. Wondering what kind of recovery your child should expect? Ask! Wondering how long it’ll be until your child can eat? Again, go ahead and ask it. Many parents will keep a notebook with all the questions; that way they won’t forget anything when the time comes.

Of course, we’ll have questions of our own. We will want to know your child’s medical history. Are they on any medication? Do they have any allergies? It’s a good idea to have this information written down so it’s easy to get to us when it is time.

After the appointment, those questions don’t stop. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to give us a call! It never hurts to ask.

Preparation Goes a Long Way

With a little preparation, your child will feel secure and ready for their upcoming sedation dentistry appointment. But they aren’t the only ones who will feel ready: you, the parent, will feel ready and supported throughout. We want your family to have a calm experience, and sometimes the best way to do that is by having open communication with the dental team before the visit. 

Contact Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry today to learn more about sedation dentistry options.