Dental problems are common for children, especially as their teeth will go through some changes as they grow up. If your child will require sedation to push through with their treatment, there are some things you have to think about to help them be prepared. As this thing can be scary for both you and your child, the trick is to educate yourself and your child to ease out the anxiety.
To start, here are some tips that can help you prepare your child for sedation dentistry.
1. Fast with Your Child to Help Them the Night Before
In the case of dental sedation, the dentists will need to ask you to fast with your child the night before their treatment. You will also need to delay drinking anything 12 hours prior to the appointment. If you already have a dentist who prescribes sedation dentistry, you know all of this already. If you are new to this, it is best to educate yourself.
Fasting is the best way to lower your child’s anxiety. If you have them eating the night before, then their blood sugar can fluctuate and can cause their level of anxiety to rise even higher. This also helps if your child has a low blood sugar level, which is also known as hypoglycemia. When this occurs, not only will your child be feeling anxious, but also dizzy and weak.
2. Make Your Child as Comfortable as You Can
Start by taking a bath with your child before going to bed. Remember, your child will be fasting, so a bath before bed will make them feel clean and relaxed.
If they have the habit of taking naps at the time they plan to go to the dental office, make sure they have a nap before going to the office. Otherwise, it will be hard to get them to go to sleep after their appointment.
To make your child more comfortable, you can also play some music in the background. Choose music that is not too loud so that they can still hear you when you talk to them. To encourage them to sleep, cuddle them and sit with them. You can also let them hold your hand or a blanket to help them feel more secure.
3. Be There for Your Child after the Procedure
Just like the night before, you will need to be with your child after the dental procedure. This is to be sure that your child is not feeling any pain and will stay calm.
Take note that if your child has a dental procedure that requires anesthesia, you will need to stay with them for at least four hours after their appointment. If the procedure is more complicated, you will need to stay with them until the effects of the anesthesia wear off.
4. Set Expectations for Your Child by Communicating with Them
Before you take your child to the dentist, you need to make sure you have already communicated with your child about what you expect from them during the treatment. During your communication, make sure you are clear enough on what will happen, what are the benefits, and what are the risks.
If they are not aware they will get sedation, make sure to talk to them about what they need to do when they are going to the dentist.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing wrong with having your child undergo dental sedation. It is a good alternative option if there are children who are too young or have extreme anxiety at the sight of dentists. By being prepared and educated, you can do your part in ensuring that your child will stay safe and comfortable during this time.
At Smart Dental Care, we can take care of all of your dental requirements, from cavities to dentures to whitening and everything in between! We have 3D imaging technology and cosmetic dentistry in Utah. Contact us today!