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(936) 427-9070 128 Nacogdoches St,
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Children’s Sedation Dentistry – Center, TX

We Can Help Your Son or Daughter Feel At Ease

Little boy covering his mouth

At the Family Dental Center of East Texas, we work hard to help kids develop positive associations with visiting the dentist, so they always look forward to their appointments. However, despite our best efforts, some children still struggle with stress, fear, and anxiety associated with visiting the dentist. For these children, those who have sensitive teeth, and those who need more complex treatments, we may recommend sedation dentistry. Contact our Center, TX dental team to find out more or schedule an appointment.

Why Choose Family Dental Center of East Texas for Sedation Dentistry?

  • Hospital-Based Sedation Available at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital
  • Gentle & Experienced Dentists
  • Special Needs Patients Always Welcome

Oral Conscious Sedation Dentistry

Teen girl taking sedative pill

Our team at Family Dental Center of East Texas is here to make sure your child remains comfortable throughout their appointment. Using oral conscious sedation, we can deliver a positive experience and deliver the kind of results their smile needs to stay healthy going forward. Unlike nitrous oxide, which requires inhaling a gas, oral conscious sedation uses a pill medication – a solution that many children find easy to take.

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What is Oral Conscious Sedation?

Parent giving child pill before dentist’s appointment

Oral conscious sedation is a more moderate form of treatment that is used to help young patients remain at ease during an appointment. Requiring the consumption of pill medication, its effects helps keep patients calm, no longer experiencing the nervousness that once kept them from feeling comfortable with visiting the dentist’s office.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?

Child under oral conscious sedation

Before their appointment, you need to make sure that you inform us if your child becomes sick or has a reaction to prescription medication. This helps us ensure that your child doesn’t eat or drink after midnight the night before treatment. Dress your child comfortably for treatment and monitor their behavior leading up to the appointment, making sure they don’t fall or otherwise injure themselves.

During their visit, your child will feel no fear or pain whatsoever. The medication will keep them fully comfortable and may cause them to doze off. Do not worry, though, as they will not be fully sedated. Instead, they can be awoken by a member of our team if we need them to respond to a question or cue from the dentist.

After treatment, you’ll need to monitor your child once you return home. They will likely feel tired and want to sleep. This is fine, but position them on their sides to prevent choking if they become sick. Never hesitate to contact our dental office if any of your child’s behaviors concern you.

Who is a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?

CNervous little girl at dentist’s office

Oral sedation is frequently recommended for children, as it allows them to relax peacefully while receiving necessary dental care. This calming oral sedative may be recommended for kids who have had previous bad experiences with the dentist, those who demonstrate fear or apprehension before treatment, very young children, or those who have special needs.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Child in dental chair with nitrous oxide mask

For our younger patients who experience dental anxiety or fear at the thought of visiting the dentist’s office, we offer a safe and gentle method of sedation to allow them to have a more positive experience, called nitrous oxide sedation. It’s excellent for children because how much we administer can be adjusted during the appointment, and the effects wear off quickly, allowing them to go back to school after.

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Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?

a father giving a piggyback ride to his child

Nitrous oxide sedation in Center is ideal for children who experience the following:

  • Mild to moderate dental anxiety or fear
  • A strong gag reflex that makes dental cleanings and treatments uncomfortable
  • Difficulty with numbing agents
  • Difficulty sitting in treatment chairs for long periods of time
  • Sensitive teeth

While most children are good candidates for this method of dental sedation, those who have respiratory disease, sinus congestion, or take certain medications that can have negative effects with nitrous oxide may not be recommended for this service.

How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?

a child receiving nitrous oxide sedation at the dental office

When your child comes in for their visit, our gentle and friendly team will try to help ease their nerves while getting them comfortable in the treatment chair. We’ll then gently place a small mask over their nose that will allow them to breathe in a colorless, odorless mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. Within a few short moments, they will begin to feel a calm feeling come over them, helping them feel much more comfortable throughout their procedure or cleaning. Our team will monitor them throughout their visit and adjust the level of sedation they’re receiving throughout based on the effects it’s having on them.

Children remain completely conscious under nitrous oxide sedation and are able to respond to our team during their treatment. However, their visit may feel a little hazy afterwards. Some patients aren’t able to recall many details of their appointment, which can be a good thing for children who usually feel fearful of visiting the dentist.

Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide Sedation

a child in class

After your child’s treatment is complete, our team will turn off the nitrous oxide and have them breathe in oxygen only. This will help flush the effects of the sedation out of their system. In most cases, patients are able to carry on with their day as they normally would by going back to school if they need to! It’s very rare that children have side-effects to nitrous oxide, although sometimes nausea and a headache can occur. If you have any concerns about your child’s wellbeing following their appointment, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.

Hospital Anesthesiology

Inside of an oxygen mask

Most patients are not in need of general anesthesia to render them fully unconscious, but when this is necessary, our team is happy to work with the highly qualified anesthesia providers at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital. General anesthesia may be considered for patients if:

  • They need treatments that cannot be completed safely using a milder form of sedation
  • They have physical or cognitive impairments that make dental care uncomfortable or unsafe without sedation
  • They experience dental anxiety or fear so severe that they increase their risk for complications during a procedure

We know how important your child’s health and safety are, and we go above and beyond to reduce the risks associated with treatment for each patient in our care. Dental sedation may be a great solution for your child. Ask about our sedation options during your child’s next visit or give us a call with any questions you may have. We’re always happy to help.

Sedation Dentistry FAQs

Is sedation dentistry safe? 

Sedation dentistry is safe for most patients.

The most common method of sedation dentistry is nitrous oxide, because it is the safest option for the greatest number of patients.

Before determining whether to administer sedation, Dr. Youngblood or Dr. Martinez will review your medical history and current medications (both OTC and prescription) to ensure that there will be no negative interactions.

While you are under sedation, your dental team will ensure your safety by monitoring your vitals (including your blood pressure, oxygen levels, and heart rate) the entire time.

Is sedation dentistry safe for kids? 

Sedation dentistry is an excellent option for children who are afraid of the dentist. It can help them relax for long enough to receive necessary care and even lower their risk of having dental anxiety later in life.

While nitrous oxide is the most commonly used form of sedation for kids, oral conscious sedation may also be used if your child has severe anxiety or physical or mental impairments that make dental care uncomfortable or unsafe.

Let your dentist know if your child is taking any medications or if they have any medical conditions during their sedation dentistry consultation.

In some cases, children may have mild side-effects from sedation. Typically, nausea is the only side effect. To lower their risk of this occurring, limit their food and fluids before their procedure.

Following their procedure, it may take several hours before the effects of sedation wear off, so be sure to closely monitor them during this time.

Is sedation dentistry safe while pregnant? 

The medication used in dental sedation may pass along to the fetus through the placenta, and using sedation during the first trimester could lead to problems with development. Furthermore, sedation during the third trimester could encourage premature labor.

Sedation is usually safest during the second trimester; however, most dentists recommend that invasive procedures requiring sedation wait until after pregnancy if possible. Should you require sedation during pregnancy, it is recommended that you use the mildest form possible. Typically, this means nitrous oxide over oral conscious sedation.

Is sedation dentistry safe while breastfeeding?

Most medications your dentist may use in oral conscious sedation have a very low chance of affecting breastmilk, however nitrous oxide is the best option for breastfeeding patients.

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