Some dental procedures may require your child to lie completely still, or fairly still for a long period of time. In some cases your child may find the noise of the drill or the unfamiliar equipment at the dentist to be scary. Or your child may be anxious about going to the dentist in general.

Some dentists, such as Dr. Himmat Bajwa, practice Sedation Dentistry to assist all ages of patients who experience anxiety when at the dentist. Sedation helps the patient feel more calm and relaxed during treatment. Sedation is an optional treatment that is usually planned for and discussed with your dentist in advance of your child’s dental procedure.

What Are My Child’s Options?

In sedation dentistry there is a range from mild to deep sedation. The types available at your dental office depend on your dentist’s training, practice type, and preference. They may include:

• Mild sedation – The patient remains fully awake, but more relaxed. This can be achieved through nitrous oxide inhalation (also known as “laughing gas”) or oral sedation (a prescription pill taken one hour before treatment).
• Moderate sedation – Deeper relaxation with limited recall of the procedure, through IV sedation.
• Deep sedation – “Sleep dentistry” puts the patient to sleep so that there is no recollection of the dental treatment. Since it uses general anesthesia, it should be administered by a dental anesthesiologist and highly trained staff at an accredited facility.

At Sullivan Heights Dental, Dr. Himmat Bajwa will treat children under 12 with laughing gas (nitrous oxide), the most gentle sedation for kids. A small nasal hood is placed over your child’s nose and he/she breathes in the gas with a little oxygen. We make it kid-friendly with different nasal hoods that are decorated with stickers and are scented—your child can choose their favourite scent, such as strawberry, vanilla or bubble gum.

Dr. Bajwa offers conscious oral sedation and/or inhalation sedation for patients 12 and over. He administers Ativan or Valium, which can be taken with nitrous oxide if a stronger effect is required.

Is Dental Sedation for Kids Safe?

Dental sedation for children is safe and effective when administered and monitored by a trained dentist.

If you know your child will not respond well to laughing gas, or requires deeper sedation, our office is able to refer you to specialist. When we discuss your child’s health and needs together before his or her procedure, we may determine that a pediatric dentist is required for the procedure.

Other Dental Sedation Tips

In sedation dentistry, good communication leads to safe sedation: your dentist will ask you questions around your child’s health, including recent ear, nose and throat infections; or head injuries. It’s important to tell your your dentist about any medication – including supplements and herbal remedies – that your child is currently taking, in advance of the dental visit.

It’s also helpful to discuss strategies around the visit with your dentist. For example if your child is booked for an extensive dental procedure, ask the staff how to best prepare your child. When describing what is going to happen at the appointment, choose your words carefully. It’s important to use positive words and phrases (“we’re going to make your teeth stronger”) versus potentially scary words like “hurt”, “pain”, “pull”, etc.

If you have questions around sedation for kids, just ask! Feel free to call our office or speak to us at your next visit.