If the thought of your child sitting in a dental chair makes you feel a bit worried, you are not alone. Many parents feel a mix of relief and nerves when they find out their child needs sedation dentistry. On one hand, you are glad they won't feel pain or fear. On the other hand, it is totally normal to have questions about how to get ready and what to expect.
At Strong Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we believe that when a parent is prepared, the child stays much calmer. Whether your little one is coming in for a simple filling or something more involved, our goal is to make the day go as smoothly as possible. If you have been looking for a trusted dentist in Strongsville, OH, to help your child feel safe, you are in the right place.
Here is a step by step guide on how to prepare for a sedation visit.
Before we get into the "to-do" list, it helps to know what kind of sedation your child might be getting. As a specialized pediatric dentist in Strongsville, OH, we offer a few different levels depending on what your child needs.
This is the mildest option. Your child breathes a mix of oxygen and nitrous oxide through a small nose mask. It helps them feel relaxed and silly, but they stay awake the whole time.
This is a liquid medicine your child drinks before the appointment. It makes them very sleepy and relaxed, though they can still hear us and follow simple directions.
For kids who are very anxious or need a lot of dental work, we might use deeper sedation. This is done with a specialist to make sure everything is completely safe.
Preparation actually starts a few days before you walk through the doors of Strong Smiles Pediatric Dentistry.
This is the most important part of getting ready. Sedation can sometimes make a child's stomach feel upset. If there is food in their stomach, it can be dangerous. We will give you exact times, but usually:
Make sure you have told us about any medications your child takes or any allergies they have. Even a small cold or a stuffy nose can change how sedation works, so let your dentist in Strongsville, OH, know if your child has been feeling sick.
Pick out loose, comfy clothes for your child. Short sleeves are usually best so we can check their blood pressure easily. If your child has a favorite stuffed animal or a soft blanket, please bring it along!
Kids are smart, and they can tell if you are worried. When you talk about the visit, try to keep it simple and upbeat.
Instead of saying "the doctor is going to put you to sleep" or "it won't hurt," try saying, "We are going to visit the dentist to get your teeth healthy. You get to take a little nap, and when you wake up, we’ll be all done!"
If they ask about the mask or the medicine, you can tell them it’s just "magic air" or "sleepy juice" that helps them stay still so the dentist in Strongsville, OH, can work fast.
When you get to Strong Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we will check your child's weight and see how they are feeling. We want the office to feel quiet and calm for them.
You might be asked to wait in the lobby while the medicine starts to work. Our team is trained to watch your child's heart rate and breathing every single second to make sure they are doing great.
While the team at Strong Smiles Pediatric Dentistry fixes your child’s teeth, stay close by. We will come out and give you an update as soon as we are finished.
The dental work might be over, but your child will still be a little sleepy for a few hours.
Once you get home, your child should just hang out on the couch or in bed. Do not let them run around, climb, or ride a bike for the rest of the day. Their balance will be a bit off, and we don't want them to fall.
Wait until your child is fully awake before giving them anything to eat. Start with small sips of water. If they feel okay, move on to soft things like yogurt or applesauce.
It is normal for their mouth to feel a little sore. Your dentist in Strongsville, OH, will tell you if it's okay to give them some Tylenol or Motrin to help them feel better.
Q: Is sedation dentistry safe for kids?
A: Yes, when it is done by a trained pediatric dentist. At Strong Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we follow very strict safety rules and use high-tech equipment to watch over your child the whole time.
Q: How long does the sedation last?
A: Laughing gas wears off in just a few minutes. Oral sedation or deeper medicine can make a child feel "fuzzy" or sleepy for a few hours. Most kids are back to normal after a good nap.
Q: What if my child has a cold?
A: If your child has a cough or a fever, we might need to pick a different day. A stuffy nose makes it hard for them to breathe through their nose, which is important for the sedation to work right.
Q: Can I stay in the room?
A: This depends on the type of sedation. For laughing gas, parents are usually right there. For deeper sedation, we often find that kids relax better when it's just the dental team, but we will talk about the plan with you first.
We know you have a few options when looking for a dentist in Strongsville, OH. Parents pick us because we only work with kids. Our office is built to be fun, and our staff knows how to help children who feel nervous.
We take the time to listen to you and explain everything. We don't just care about teeth; we care about making the experience a good one for your child.
If your child needs dental work and you think sedation might help, give us a call. At Strong Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we are here to make sure your family has a safe and positive experience.
Whether you just moved here or have lived in town for years, finding a reliable dentist in Strongsville, OH, is the first step toward a healthy smile. We can't wait to meet you!
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