Minimal inhaled sedation, also called “laughing gas”, is easily administered through a comfortable nose mask. Your child will simply breathe in through their nose, and when the sedative takes effect, they will begin to feel relaxed and euphoric. This option has a number of benefits. It doesn’t require a needle or a pill, and the effects wear off quickly after treatment. This means that you and your little one can enjoy the rest of the day as you normally would after their appointment.
Minimal inhaled sedation can be used to treat dental anxiety, but it can also be administered for other reasons. If your child is afraid of needles, we may recommend sedation to help administer numbing agents. A strong gag reflex and difficulty sitting still for a prolonged period of time are other common reasons that parents may request sedation options for their child. If you think sedation may be right for your little one, call us to discuss your needs and we will make recommendations for treatment.
When possible, Dr. Sal and Dr. Yasi do their best to avoid using sedatives in favor of using non-pharmacological behavior management techniques. Behavior management techniques involve child-friendly explanations about diagnosis and treatment. This helps your child feel more in control of the situation, and makes them less likely to be nervous.
In addition, through conversation and immersive dentistry techniques — like the Tell, Show, Do method and distraction— Dr. Yasi and Dr. Sal can help your child have an easier time during their dental visit. If you’d like to learn more about our approach to behavior management, give us a call at (561) 510-1450. We proudly serve those in Jupiter or Palm Beach Garden. We’re always happy to hear from new patients and explain our unique approach to behavior management!
The first benefit is that sedation makes coming to the dentist less scary. If your child knows they’re not going to feel any pain or discomfort, they’ll feel better about coming to see us at The Little Royals, and they will be less likely to feel scared and intimidated. This can even help prevent your child from developing dental anxiety in the future!
Sedation for kids also helps them stay comfortable and relax during long dental procedures. Some kids who are more “squirrelly” than others might have trouble sitting still for 1-2 hours. While Dr. Sal and Dr. Yasi are experts in behavior management and can help your child get through their appointment without sedation, it can still be a useful tool if you know your child will have issues sitting still.
A related benefit is that sedation for kids can help Dr. Sal and Dr. Yasi get more dental work done in a shorter period of time. If your child is sitting and relaxing comfortably and isn’t moving around, they will be able to treat your little one faster, and ensure a better overall outcome.
Finally, sedation can have a lot of benefits for children who have special needs, and who may not otherwise be able to get the dental care they need. Laughing gas sedation is gentle and safe for most children who have special needs, and can help get through their appointment with less stress and discomfort.
If your child is very nervous or anxious about their dental appointment, you should definitely consider sedation. It really helps keep them feeling more safe and comfortable, and provides them with a more positive overall dental experience.
If your child is getting a complex oral surgery or multiple dental treatments that may take a long time, sedation may also be useful for keeping them still and ensuring they can stay comfortable during their appointment.
Sedation is also an excellent choice if your child is afraid of needles. Numbing needles can be very scary, but with sedation, your child can get local numbing without any fear or discomfort.
We also may recommend sedation if your child has a strong gag reflex and needs one of their rear teeth to be treated. This is because laughing gas sedation can help impair the gag reflex and keep your child more comfortable.
Yes! Nitrous oxide sedation is safe for use in kids of all ages, and serious complications are extraordinarily rare during sedation. As board-certified pediatric dentists, Dr. Yasi and Dr. Sal Colombo both have a lot of experience with sedation, so you can trust them with your little one.
Before their procedure begins, we’ll discuss their health, medications and supplement they’re taking, and other details with you in order to ensure that sedation is right for them, and that they can be sedated safely.
In addition, your child will be closely monitored throughout their treatment. In the extremely rare event that something does not seem right, Dr. Sal and Dr. Yasi will know right away, and will be able to take the appropriate steps to resolve the issue.