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1881 Connercenter East Drive, Suite 134 San Bernardino, CA 92408
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Dental Sedation
Restore and Protect Your Child's Smile
At Pediatric Dentistry, we understand that some children feel anxious or fearful when visiting the dentist.
That’s why we offer dental sedation options to help make their experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
Our gentle, safe sedation methods allow your child to relax and feel at ease, even during more complex dental procedures.
We’re committed to providing a positive and peaceful environment, ensuring your little one leaves the office feeling confident and smiling.
Why Consider Dental Sedation?
Many children may experience anxiety or fear during dental appointments, especially if they’ve had a negative experience in the past or are undergoing a more involved procedure. Dental sedation can help by calming your child’s nerves, allowing them to remain calm, relaxed, and cooperative throughout the visit. With sedation, your child can receive the care they need without the fear or discomfort that often accompanies dental treatments.
Sedation isn’t just for anxious children—it’s also beneficial for more complex treatments, such as extractions, fillings, or root canals. By reducing stress, sedation ensures that both you and your child have a positive experience at the dentist.
Our Sedation Options
We offer a range of sedation options to suit your child’s individual needs. These methods are administered in a safe, controlled environment by our experienced dental team. The goal is to make your child’s experience smooth and relaxing while ensuring they receive the highest quality care.
1. Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Nitrous oxide is a mild, inhaled sedative commonly referred to as “laughing gas.” It is one of the safest sedation methods for children and is widely used to help kids feel more at ease during their dental visit. Administered through a small mask that fits over your child’s nose, nitrous oxide takes effect quickly and wears off just as fast.
Benefits of Nitrous Oxide:
- Reduces anxiety and stress: Nitrous oxide helps calm nervous or anxious children, allowing them to relax while still remaining awake and responsive.
- Safe and non-invasive: This method is non-invasive and wears off quickly after the procedure, meaning your child can return to normal activities soon after their visit.
- No lingering drowsiness: Once the mask is removed, the effects fade quickly, so there’s little to no post-visit drowsiness.
2. Oral Sedation
For children who need a deeper level of relaxation or who may be undergoing more extensive dental procedures, oral sedation may be recommended. Oral sedation involves administering a liquid medication that helps your child feel calm and sleepy. Although they will still be awake, they may not remember much of the procedure.
Benefits of Oral Sedation:
- Stronger relaxation: Oral sedation provides a deeper level of relaxation than nitrous oxide, making it suitable for more involved procedures or for children who experience heightened anxiety.
- Easy administration: The medication is usually taken in liquid form before the procedure, making it easy for children to take.
- Minimal memory of the procedure: Children often have little to no memory of the procedure, reducing the likelihood of future dental fears.
A Safe and Controlled Environment
At Pediatric Dentistry, your child’s safety and well-being are our top priorities. Every sedation option is administered in a controlled environment, with our dental team monitoring your child throughout the process to ensure they remain safe and comfortable. We follow strict guidelines and protocols to make sure your child receives the best care possible, so you can rest easy knowing they’re in good hands.
When Is Dental Sedation Right for Your Child?
Not every child requires sedation, but it can be beneficial in certain situations:
- Dental anxiety or fear: If your child is nervous or scared about visiting the dentist, sedation can help alleviate their fear and make the experience more positive.
- Complex procedures: Sedation is ideal for more involved procedures like extractions, fillings, or root canals, helping your child remain comfortable and still.
- Special healthcare needs: For children with special healthcare needs, sedation can provide a calmer and more manageable dental visit.
During your visit, our team will discuss your child’s needs and help you determine the best sedation option for their comfort and care.
At Pediatric Dentistry, we’re committed to providing a stress-free, positive dental experience for every child. Our sedation options are designed to ensure that even the most anxious or fearful patients can receive the care they need without worry. Contact us today to learn more about our sedation methods and how we can make your child’s next visit comfortable and enjoyable!
By choosing Pediatric Dentistry for your child’s dental crown, you’re giving them the best possible care and helping them maintain a strong, healthy smile. Contact us today to learn more about our pediatric crown options and how we can restore your child’s dental health with gentle, expert care!
Your Questions Answered
Your child deserves honest dental care tailored to their needs. We’ll listen to your concerns and recommend proven treatments.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends bringing your child in to see us by their first birthday. Though this may sound early, we can teach you proper pediatric oral hygiene techniques, check for cavities, and watch for developmental problems.
Various forms of tooth decay can affect babies and small children. Early childhood cavities (tooth decay) can develop rapidly, progressing from the hard outer enamel layer of a tooth into the softer inner dentin in six months or less. Most of all, we want to ensure your child has a positive experience at our office and will be a regular visitor for years to come.
The specialized field of pediatric dentistry exists because a child’s mouth differs largely from an adult’s mouth. As pediatric dentists, we have an over 35 years of experience. Our specialized field covers the oral health of children, and our education and experience prepare us for the unique needs of children, infants, and adolescents. We also tend to those who have special healthcare needs.
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends children receive an orthodontics screening by the age of seven. It is important for us to evaluate the development of your child’s incoming adult teeth. If your child is not in need of more aggressive orthodontic treatment, we will address dental issues once more of their permanent teeth are in place, and their jaw is developed.
A lifetime of good oral health begins during infancy, even before the baby’s first tooth emerges. We have provided some guidelines below to help new parents!
Generally, the first baby teeth that appear are usually the lower front teeth and can appear between six and nine months of age. All babies are unique, so it’s not unusual if your child’s teeth emerge before or after this age. When their first teeth emerge, it’s time to transition to a baby toothbrush.
As more teeth appear, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you start brushing your child’s teeth with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. Gently brush the inside and outside of your baby’s teeth, as well as their tongue. Since a tiny amount of toothpaste is being used, there is no need to rinse.
A lifetime of good oral health begins during infancy, even before the baby’s first tooth emerges. We have provided some guidelines below to help new parents!
It’s a good idea to get into the habit of wiping your baby’s gums with gauze or a soft, wet washcloth to remove any sugars, milk, or residual food. Simply wrap the gauze or cloth around your index finger and gently rub it over their gums. There is no need to use any toothpaste yet.
One serious form of dental decay among young children is baby bottle tooth decay. This condition is caused by frequent and long exposures of an infant’s teeth to liquids that contain sugar. Among these liquids are milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice, and other sweetened drinks.
Putting a baby to bed for a nap or at night with a bottle other than water can cause serious and rapid tooth decay. Sweet liquid pools around the child’s teeth, allowing plaque bacteria to produce acids that attack tooth enamel. If you must give the baby a bottle as a comforter at bedtime, it should contain only water. If your child doesn’t fall asleep without the bottle and their usual beverage, gradually dilute the bottle’s contents with water over two to three weeks.
After your child’s teeth erupt, you can use a smear size amount of baby toothpaste and a soft baby toothbrush. When children reach three years of age, we advise parents to supervise their child’s teeth brushing and make sure they only use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Your child mustn’t swallow the toothpaste.
Poor oral health or a diet high in sugary foods can lead to cavities in your child’s mouth. When children don’t brush or floss well or often enough, the bacteria in their mouths feed on the sugars that are left behind on their teeth. This develops into plaque and eventually tartar, leading to tooth decay.
If plaque and tartar are not removed, it can cause decay, cavities, periodontal disease, and other oral health problems. Your child may experience discomfort when eating and drinking hot or cold foods as a result of tooth decay. It’s important to see your pediatric dentist at one of our Texas offices as soon as possible if your child is experiencing any pain so that we can ensure no decay could spread.
Here are a few ways to prevent tooth decay for your child:
- Brush and floss daily
- Use fluoridated toothpaste
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash
- Take your child for regular dental checkups and cleanings; preventative care is essential for healthy gums and teeth
- Ask our Texas pediatric dentist about dental sealants which can prevent cavities and benefit tooth strengthening
- Chew sugar-free gum
- Limit your child’s intake of sugary foods and drinks
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