Dental Anesthesia For Children: Should You Let Your Child Undergo Sedation?
Dental anesthesia for children allows your kid to stay comfortable during a dentist’s visit. The safety of your child comes first before any medical procedure. This is why you may want to understand is sedation dentistry safe for children.
Luckily, you’re in the right place. We’ll help you understand everything about the safety of dental anesthesia for children in Canada.
Is Dental Anesthesia For Children Available In Canada?
Yes, dental anesthesia for children is legally available in Canada. Most dentists in Bridgeport and other parts of the country keep sedative agents for kids.
If your child becomes very restless during dental procedures, such as a tooth extraction, you can ask your dentist to sedate the child. The effective sedation agent will calm your kid and ensure they feel no pain.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe For Children?
Sedation dentistry is safe for children during dental procedures. There are various types of sedation methods safe for kids, such as:
Conscious sedation (laughing gas and oral sedation)
Deep sedation (IV sedation and general anesthesia)
You can consult your dentist in Bridgeport about the best anesthesia option for your kid. Most of the time, experts prefer to give general anesthesia to children for dental work due to its high safety level.
Is General Anesthesia Safe For 5 Year-Old Dental Work?
General anesthesia is usually the safest option for children aged 5 or above. It is an effective method when a child is undergoing a complex dental surgery.
Children who usually don’t respond to oral or IV sedation are also given general anesthesia. You should always discuss your kid’s medical history with the dentist before deciding on the type of sedation.
When Is Sedation Dentistry Recommended For Children?
Sedation dentistry is indicated during dental procedures if your child shows:
High anxiety and fear during dental work
No cooperation with the dental treatment due to age or special needs (e.g. your child may move too much while the dentist tries to inject them)
Dental damage requiring a lengthy surgery
It is better to have your child sedated in these cases to ensure the dentist can work easily without making any mistakes.
What Are The Risks Of Dental Anesthesia For Children?
Dental anesthesia for children always comes with little risk because your child will receive a mild to moderate sedative. Some risks of sedation dentistry for kids include:
1. Nausea And Vomiting
The most common side effect children are at risk for after dental sedation is nausea and vomiting. Your kid may also experience drowsiness after the procedure with anesthesia.
Most children recover from these side effects within a few hours. Your dentist in Bridgeport may also suggest specific medicines to tackle these adverse effects.
2. Airway Obstruction
A common risk that children below the age of 6 face during dental sedation is airway obstruction. Such kids have a smaller airway than kids aged 10 or above. This size difference increases the risk of obstruction in younger children during general anesthesia.
The best way to avoid complications due to airway obstruction is to get the procedure from an experienced practitioner. A dentist in Bridgeport with qualified staff and skills to tackle adverse effects during dental surgery for children is better if your kid is undergoing sedation.
Such an expert will be able to manage serious events during the surgery easily, ensuring it doesn’t lead to complications.
3. Child May Pass To A Deeper Level Of Sedation
With every dental anesthesia type, there is a small risk of the child moving to a deeper level of sedation. Your aim may be for your kid to benefit from moderate anesthesia, but this may not happen.
The risk of death increases when the child shifts to a deeper level of sedation. This event may be rare, but it happens when the dentist doesn’t have qualified anesthesiology staff, especially when giving general anesthesia.
Always ask your dentist in Bridgeport about their anesthesiology team. Dental surgeries done with a qualified team ensure a lower risk of deep sedation for children.
What Are The Benefits Of Dental Anesthesia For Children?
Dental anesthesia for children has various benefits, such as:
It eliminates dental anxiety and fear
Your child will remain still during the complex procedure
Painless treatment
A dentist can enjoy better productivity when a child is sedated (of course, the anesthesia should still be given only if it’s necessary for the child)
When your kid is more relaxed because of dental sedation, the procedure will go more smoothly.
FAQs
What Is The Minimum Age For Dental Sedation?
The minimum age for dental sedation in Canada is two years. Children below two cannot receive anesthesia.
Are Children Sedated For Tooth Extraction?
Most kids are sedated for tooth extraction because the procedure causes intense pain if the child doesn’t receive anesthesia. Your kid’s anxiety level and cooperation will also determine whether they should receive dental anesthesia for tooth extraction.
Is It Safe To Put A 2 Year Old Under Anesthesia For Dental Work?
It is generally safe to put a two-year-old under anesthesia for dental work. Your dentist in Bridgeport will assess various factors, such as whether your child has any other medical conditions. After that, they’ll decide if your kid should get anesthesia or not for their safety.
Can You Feel Pain When Sedated?
Kids under sedation usually don’t feel any pain during their dental work. They may feel slight pressure on their tooth during extraction or other procedures, but pain is rare under sedation.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe For Children: Contact KWC Detail For Your Kid’s Dental Work
Now that you know the answer to is sedation dentistry safe for children, you may be looking for a dentist in Bridgeport. KWC Dental is a qualified dentist with an advanced team for sedation dentistry procedures.
Your child will receive the safest dental anesthesia during our treatments. Contact us today to consult our experienced dentist in Bridgeport and discuss your child’s dental sedation needs with them.