When your child has a strong phobia of doctors or needs surgical dental care, their dentist may recommend sedation. This approach to dentistry involves the use of a sedative to calm patients or put them to sleep during their appointment, and while it provides numerous benefits, it’s normal for parents to be worried about their child’s safety. Here is a guide to the risks and benefits of sedation dentistry for children.

What Are the Risks?

When performed by an experienced and skilled team, sedation methods pose little risk to your child. There are various levels of sedation available, ranging from mild relaxants to sleep-inducing anesthesia, and the dentist will use the lightest option possible to keep the risk minimal. Your child will undergo a thorough assessment to determine their risk level based off of their medical history, current health condition, and medications. The main risk is experiencing side effects after the procedure, such as nausea, fatigue, and fever.

In rare cases, an allergic reaction or complication can occur in your child, which is detected early by the detailed machines monitoring their vitals. The procedure room is stocked with all of the medications and equipment needed to handle an emergency as soon as it happens, and heavy sedation can only be administered by an anesthesiologist. Due to all of these factors and advancements in recent years, the incidence of negative outcomes during sedated dental care has dropped by half since 1955.

Why Is It Worth It?

Sedation dentistry allows your child to have a positive association with dental care, so they’re less likely to avoid fear or anxiety in the future. Sedation also enables their dentist to work without being disturbed by your child moving or trying to talk. They’ll be able to perform better work without errors caused by distractions. 

At Alaska Dentistry for Kids in Anchorage, your child will receive compassionate dental care from professionals who prioritize their health and happiness. From routine cleaning to emergency dentistry, their experienced children’s dentist performs an array of procedures. Voted as the best pediatric dentist in Anchorage in 2018, their office was made for kids to enjoy, with a large stuffed animal collection. Their team will do everything possible to keep your child engaged, happy, and calm, whether they’re getting a cleaning or filling. Learn more about their sedation practices online, and call (907) 274-2525 to schedule an appointment.