It’s not uncommon for an adult patient to require or even ask for anesthesia before undergoing a dental procedure. In some cases, such as wisdom tooth extraction, anesthesia is required. In other cases, a patient may be nervous about their procedure and actually request anesthesia for an otherwise non-sedative procedure. However, when it comes to administering anesthetic for children in order to undergo a dental procedure, many parents have questions about both the anesthesia and the procedure itself, and whether or not they are safe for their child. In this post, we will explore some of the reasons why a child may require such a type of procedure, as well as provide information about the safety of administering an anesthetic to young patients.
Why Anesthesia for Children?
A healthy child with only minor dental issues will likely never need to undergo a dental procedure that requires an anesthetic. However, some children are born with some type of mouth or jaw deformity that requires surgery. Others may have some type of facial trauma such as a jaw fracture, facial laceration or dental injury. Some children may need tooth extraction because of severe decay, trauma or infection. Other children simply require some type of dental surgery such as wisdom tooth extraction to prepare for orthodontic treatment.
The Special Needs of Children
If a child needs advanced dental treatment, it’s important to find dental professionals who understand the special needs of children and actively work to allay their fears. Children are often wary of receiving medical and dental treatment because of fears about needles, meeting strangers, and being in unfamiliar surroundings. In some cases, a parent might be tempted to delay dental treatment in order to prevent their child from feeling uncomfortable. Parents concerned about their child receiving anesthetic at a young age and/or putting their child into a potentially uncomfortable situation will want to thoroughly discuss their child’s situation with a dental professional. Parents need to discuss whether the risks of waiting until their child is older to go under anesthesia outweigh the risks of the anesthesia itself. They’ll also want to discuss strategies to employ before, during, and after the procedure to make the child feel safe and as comfortable as possible.
Safety First
Parents should ask questions to feel comfortable with the dental team they select to work with their child. If they have further questions about whether a specific anesthetic is safe for their child, they may want to contact the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry or some other professional dentistry organization that can provide them with more information. No procedure that requires an anesthetic, even for adults, is without risk. However, millions of people, including children, have been safely anesthetized before a dental procedure without any long-term adverse effects.
Making Patients Comfortable
Oral surgeons and other dental professionals who work with children understand that almost universally, children do not like the pain they experience from a needle prick. This is why many will first administer light anesthesia through a “gas” mask. After the child is sedated by way of a mask, the surgeon can move ahead and administer additional anesthesia using a traditional IV. While the child is under anesthesia, their heart rate and breathing are continually monitored by staff. By lightly sedating the child before administering full anesthesia helps avoid exposing children to “the needle” and reduces the amount of IV sedative medication required for the procedure, thus speeding recovery time.
If parents know their child needs a procedure such as wisdom tooth extraction, if they have concerns about how their child will respond to the sedation process, they can ask if their child can be sedated by mask first before being sedated through a traditional IV. If a particular dental professional performs the procedure differently, it might be worthwhile to shop around until a parent can find someone who is a good match for their child.
Summary
Ultimately, the best way to calm fears is through communication. Parents should feel comfortable asking questions concerning their child’s dental care. Children also have a better experience when verbally reassured and comforted by their parents and staff members.
If you and your child are ready for your first dental visit, contact Puget Sound Pediatric Dentistry at (360) 659-8100 to schedule an appointment today. We want your child’s growing smile to shine!