How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?
Dental fillings usually last about a decade. Fortunately, you can take steps to help extend the longevity of your child’s filling.
5 Reasons to Consider Sedation Dentistry
Going to the dentist with your child shouldn't have to feel like pulling teeth — for them or you. If your child’s fear of the dentist makes each appointment a painful proposition for both of you, we have a way to help.
At Happy Teeth Children’s Dentistry, Irene Zaki, DDS, offers sedation dentistry. Dr. Zaki has several ways to help your child relax during their time with us, from oral sedation to nitrous oxide. For a calmer, more pleasant, safer experience for your child, visit our office in Riverside, California.
Here are five reasons sedation dentistry might be right for your family.
1: It makes doctor’s visits easier for your child
Dr. Zaki offers sedation dentistry because she believes that no child should have to suffer.
With this option, getting the care they need for good oral health goes from scary to not noteworthy at all. They can relax — or even sleep — during their appointment. Do something fun with them afterward, and they might start to think of their dental visits as a welcome departure from their typical day.
2: And for you
As a parent, you never want to see your child hurt or scared, and you may feel that bringing them to the dentist exposes them to both sensations. But with sedation dentistry, you can rest easy knowing they’ll have a relaxed, pleasant experience.
3: It’s tailored to your child’s needs
Dr. Zaki doesn’t apply a one-size-fits-all mentality here. Instead, she customizes her approach based on your child's specific needs.
Specifically, Dr. Zaki chooses the right form of sedation for your child. Here at our office, she offers:
- Oral sedation, which they take as a pill, helps them feel relaxed
- Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas
- Intravenous (IV) sedation, which puts your child to sleep
If your child is nervous, oral sedation might make visiting our team more pleasant. If their level of anxiety is high, Dr. Zaki may recommend nitrous oxide. They breathe this through a device we call the “space mask,” and will feel deeply relaxed during treatment. The nitrous oxide leaves their system quickly after they remove the mask.
For kids who are excessively fearful or who may not be cooperative during treatment, Dr. Zaki can use IV sedation. This way, they can sleep through their care. We might recommend this option for special needs children, for example.
4: It’s safe
Sedation dentistry is safe for kids. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommend it for children who fear the dentist, and those organizations issue guidance to build safety measures for pediatric patients.
Dr. Zaki always follows recommendations from the AAPD and AAP to protect your child during treatment.
5: It supports lifelong oral health
Kids who are terrified of the dentist often grow up to be adults who don’t get oral care.
By addressing this fear head-on — and giving them a way to soothe it — you help your child minimize their anxiety here. With time, visiting the dentist can feel routine and not overly unwelcome. That makes your child much more likely to continue caring for their oral health as an adult.
If you think your child might benefit from sedation dentistry, talk with our team. Call Happy Teeth Children's Dentistry or book your visit online today.
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