When it comes to kids and dental sedation, it’s common for questions to arise about safety. Keiki Dental in Ewa Beach, HI, specializes in providing kids’ dental care and offers conscious inhalation, intranasal, and oral sedation services to help young and nervous patients receive dental care with ease. Dr. Yongsok Do, DMD, a board-certified pediatric dentist, and his friendly, professional staff always make patient and family comfort a priority, and they’d like to share some information with you about dental sedation.

The short answer is: Yes, dental sedation is usually very safe for kids. But it’s a good idea to make sure you understand what sedation is.

Dentists typically use sedation for anxious patients and for long procedures. Dental sedation is safe for your kids and can soothe their worries about a trip to the dentist. Keiki Dental offers different types of conscious sedation, meaning your child is not fully put to sleep with a needle (which is called intravenous sedation) but will take in medicine that helps them feel relaxed and less anxious. Conscious sedation also may include a local anesthetic to block any pain if necessary.

One of the best ways for parents to help their children prepare for dental sedation is to be supportive and calm. Let your child know what will happen, acknowledge any fears they might have, and reassure them that the effects will wear off in a few hours. You can even have them bring a stuffed animal or favorite toy for a boost of confidence. The staff at Keiki Dental will be happy to make sure you feel comfortable with your little one undergoing dental sedation and will ensure that you understand everything, from dietary restrictions before the procedure to what to expect afterwards and how to monitor your child’s reaction. 

If your child undergoes conscious dental sedation with Keiki Dental, they will be carefully monitored and well cared for by Dr. Yongsok Do, DMD, and the compassionate staff. They pride themselves on providing expert, kid-friendly dentistry services, and their waiting area has murals, books, toys, and a television. To learn more about dental sedation and their care offerings for kids up to age 14, call them at (808) 680-9411 or visit them online.