Sedation Dentistry in Southern California

Sedation dentistry is the administration of certain sedatives that help fearful or anxious children cope with their anxieties during dental treatments. It can be used to help the team at Dental Kidz Club give your child effective dental care for a wide variety of procedures, from more complex and invasive to simple teeth cleanings. Sedation dentistry also helps keep nervous or fidgety children still during their treatments, enabling your child’s dentist to provide safer and better care.

The caring team at Dental Kidz Club has successfully treated children with sedation dentistry for various dental procedures, all of which are conducted safely and effectively. They’re deeply skilled in treating their sedation patients with extra care and attention and make sure to monitor their wellness throughout the entire procedure.

Your child's well-being is the utmost priority of everyone at Dental Kidz Club. While there are other sedation methods available generally, like IV and oral sedation, Dental Kidz Club believes that nitrous oxide is the safest method, which is why this is the only option they offer.

Dental Kidz Club offers nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, to help ease dental anxiety in children during their visit.

Nitrous oxide is a conscious sedative that’s been safely used in dentistry for over a century. It makes your child relaxed without putting them to sleep and is administered through a mask worn over the nose throughout the entire procedure.

Nitrous oxide takes only a few minutes to start working, at which point your child will feel calmer and happy. It wears off almost immediately, so there’s no downtime after the procedure.

It's natural for a child to feel nervous about sedation, but you can help make the experience easier for them by explaining what they can expect on the day of the procedure and making sure that their airways are clear. If your child has allergies or a blocked nose, decongestants and allergy medicine can help them breathe more easily.

The team at Dental Kidz Club will work with you and your child to help them feel comfortable and address their individual psychological, emotional, and dental needs. If you’d like to learn more or schedule an appointment, call today.

Sedation dentistry can benefit a wide variety of patients. It is surprising to see how many children suffer from dental anxiety and are outright afraid of them. Fear and anxiety can make it difficult for children to receive the care they need. However, sedation dentistry is not just for helping children through fear and anxiety. It can also help children with a sensitive gag reflex or undergoing a lengthy procedure. 

The length of your child’s sedation depends on the type of sedative and the dosage used. For example, nitrous oxide does not last as long as an oral sedative and IV sedation. The type of sedative needed also depends on the operation your child needs. 

Although sedation dentistry is generally safe for children, there are side effects parents should know about so they know what to expect. 

Below is a list of potential side effects that can occur from sedation dentistry:

• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Headaches
• Slow reflexes
• Nausea
• Bruising at the injection site if IV sedation is used
• Feeling disoriented

In most cases, sedation dentistry is not usually covered by insurance. However, there are some companies who may be willing to pay if the circumstances allow it. You will need to contact your insurance provider to see if they cover the procedure. 

Regular dentists are able to administer mild sedatives, such as nitrous oxide. However, in order to administer more potent sedatives, dentists must complete a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) program that focuses on general anesthesia and deep sedation.