Pediatric Dental Sedation in Laredo, TX

Parents are sometimes hesitant when dental sedation is recommended for their child. However, we have found that there are many cases in which dental sedation can make a world of a difference for kids, especially for children who experience dental anxiety. If you would like to learn more about our safe and effective dental sedation services, we recommend contacting our office. We never administer dental sedation without a parent’s permission, and we want every family to be well-informed about the sedation services we offer.

What type of sedation does my child need?

The type of sedation that your child will utilize may vary depending on their treatment plan, medical history, and the treatment that they are receiving. For example, if your child has mild dental anxiety or is undergoing a simple treatment like a filling, nitrous oxide may be a great option for them, as it makes patients feel relaxed and wears off within a few minutes of breathing normal air. Oral conscious sedation and general anesthesia are often used for more complex treatments and patients with special needs.

Does dental sedation have side effects?

The most common side effect of dental sedation is feeling a little “out of it” or tired. Nausea can be a side effect of nitrous oxide, so eating something small and light before an appointment might be a good idea for your child. Headache, dizziness, low blood pressure, and dry mouth are also side effects of oral conscious sedation and general anesthesia. Patients typically do not form memories during dental treatments that use dental sedation, so it is not unusual for children to remember very little to nothing about their procedure.

Can my child return to school after receiving dental sedation?

It depends on the type of sedation and the treatment they received. Patients often feel completely back to normal after the effects of nitrous oxide wear off, and your child may feel good enough to return to school. If they underwent an advanced restorative treatment like an extraction, they should go home no matter what sedation was used. Patients who receive oral conscious sedation or general anesthesia also need to return straight home to rest for the remainder of the day as the effects of their sedation wear off.