Dental sedation is a valuable service provided by pediatric dental practitioners. Dental anxieties and natural fears can make your child less cooperative. This means that they require care and extra attention during the dental procedure.
While you can control fear and anxiety, some level of sedation may be required to keep your child at ease. Dental anesthesia and sedation help your child cope better with the treatment and prevent injuries arising from uncontrolled movement. Here are simple techniques to prepare your child for pediatric dental sedation in San Antonio.
A calm environment can help ensure your child is not overly upset and worried before the procedure. For this reason, it is advisable to ensure your child is as comfortable as possible. You can do this by:
Before coming to the clinic for a dental procedure that may require sedation, your child should not have anything to drink or eat for a few hours. Consoling a child who is not allowed to eat for several hours can be difficult.
An excellent way to ensure your child doesn’t eat is by keeping them away from other kids who are eating. It is also essential to note that a hungry child can be resourceful at getting something to eat, and a sympathetic friend or sister may be tempted to share their food.
Your child will need your attention on the day of the procedure. Another effective way to ensure your child doesn’t eat is fasting with them. This way, they are less likely to complain. It also makes them feel assured that someone is with them during the process.
Unless your San Antonio dentist instructs otherwise, you can ease the hunger by allowing your child to take clear liquids two hours before the sedation.
If your kids know why they must go through the dental procedure, they are more likely to feel at ease. Although trying to protect your child by avoiding the discussion might be tempting, it is not a suitable strategy. Openly explaining the aspects of the procedure and why it is essential can help make your child feel more relaxed.
Children typically model their parents’ behavior. If you are anxious, your child will likely react the same way.
At the Smiles of Bulverde, we have what it takes to offer quality dentistry services for younger patients. We will ease dental anxiety to ensure your child feels more relaxed during the procedure. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Your child can start with clear liquids (water, apple juice, Pedialyte) once they are awake and alert. If they tolerate liquids well, you can move on to soft foods like yogurt or applesauce. Avoid heavy or greasy meals for the first few hours to prevent nausea.
Depending on the sedative, your child may feel "loopy," sleepy, or even slightly irritable as the medication wears off. This is a normal part of the recovery process. You should plan for a "quiet day" at home with movies and soft snacks once they are fully alert and able to swallow safely.
Choose loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. We recommend a short-sleeved shirt so we can easily place a blood pressure cuff or an IV if needed. If your child is still in diapers or pull-ups, please bring an extra change, as some sedatives can cause deep relaxation.
For most sedation appointments, we will have you stay with your child until they are relaxed or asleep. During the actual procedure, parents are often asked to wait in our comfortable lobby to allow the clinical team to focus entirely on your child’s monitoring and care. We will bring you back as soon as your child begins to wake up.
Fasting is the most critical safety rule. If a child has food or liquid in their stomach, sedation can trigger a gag reflex or vomiting. Because their protective reflexes are slowed by the sedative, this can lead to aspiration (inhaling food into the lungs), which is a serious medical emergency. Always follow the "no food or drink" timeline provided by our clinical team strictly.
The type of sedation recommended depends on your child's age, health history, and the complexity of the procedure. Common options include:
