When it comes to ensuring your child's dental health, there's no room for compromise. Pediatric sedation dentistry is a specialized approach that guarantees a comfortable and stress-free dental experience for children. It involves the use of safe sedatives to help children relax during dental procedures. Administered by highly trained pediatric dentists in Garden City like Dr. Manpreet Dhillon & Dr. Ravneet Dhillon at Small Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, this treatment is especially beneficial for anxious children, those with special needs, a low pain threshold, or who need extensive dental work. Call us today at (516) 324-8047!
Why May My Child Need Sedation Dentistry?
The idea of a dental visit can be daunting for many children, often leading to anxiety and fear. Sedation options can help alleviate these concerns, making dental visits a more pleasant experience for your child. It also allows dentists to perform necessary procedures without distressing the child, ensuring their oral health is maintained without any trauma. This approach can foster a positive relationship between your child and dental care, setting a foundation for lifelong oral health.
DID YOU KNOW?
Sedation dentistry has been used safely in pediatric dentistry for over 50 years!
The Benefits Of Pediatric Sedation Dentistry
Comfort and Relaxation
Sedation ensures a comfortable and relaxed environment for your child during dental procedures. The sedatives used help to calm the child, reducing anxiety and fear. This means your child can sit through the procedure without any distress, making the experience a positive one.
Efficient Treatment
With sedation, dentists can perform even the most complex procedures more efficiently. When a child is relaxed and cooperative, the dentist can work quickly and effectively. This means fewer appointments and less time spent in the dentist's chair, making it a convenient option for busy families.
Improved Oral Health
By reducing the fear associated with dental visits, sedation encourages regular dental check-ups, leading to improved oral health. Regular visits to the dentist can help detect and treat dental issues early, preventing more serious problems down the line.
The Pediatric Sedation Dentistry Treatment Process
Consultation
The first step in the Pediatric Sedation Dentistry process is a thorough consultation. During this session, Dr. Manpreet Dhillon or Dr. Ravneet Dhillon will assess your child's dental health, discuss their medical history, and determine the level of sedation required.
Administration of Sedatives
The next step involves the administration of sedatives. Depending on the child's needs and the complexity of the dental procedure, the sedatives may be administered orally, intravenously, or through inhalation. The goal is to ensure that the child is relaxed but still conscious during the procedure.
Dental Procedure
Once the child is sedated, the dental procedure is carried out. The dentists at Small Smiles Pediatric Dentistry are experienced in working with children of all ages and needs, ensuring that the procedure is done efficiently and effectively. The child's vital signs are monitored throughout the procedure to ensure their safety.
Before & Afters
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Dental Trauma Guide
What to do in the event of trauma to the teeth and mouth:
If bleeding occurs:
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- Apply pressure with a clean cloth or gauze
- Try to identify the source of the bleeding
- If the gums or teeth are bleeding see a dental professional
- If the lips or face are injured visit the emergency room
If a tooth is chipped
- If the tooth fragment that chipped off is found, store it in milk, saliva or saline. Do NOT store in alcohol, water or mouthwash
- Contact a dentist for an emergency appointment
If a baby tooth is knocked out
- Baby teeth are not advised to be re-implanted but should be brought to the dentist to be evaluated
If there is a shift in the position of a tooth/teeth
- This is urgent! Contact a dentist for an emergency appointment ASAP
- If injury occurs outside of business hours visit the emergency room
If an adult tooth is knocked out
- Handle the tooth by the crown, try to avoid touching the root
- Rinse the tooth with milk or saline, DO NOT SCRUB
- Place the tooth back into the socket if possible
- If not, store the tooth in milk, saliva or saline. Do NOT store in alcohol, water or mouthwash. Adult teeth can be re-implanted by a dentist
- This is urgent! Contact a dentist for an emergency appointment ASAP
- If injury occurs outside of business hours visit the emergency room
If unsure whether a baby or adult tooth is knocked out
- Store the tooth in milk, saliva or saline and allow the doctor to determine. Do NOT store in alcohol, water or mouthwash
- This is urgent! Contact a dentist for an emergency appointment ASAP
- If injury occurs outside of business hours visit the emergency room
In all cases, focus on controlling bleeding (with gauze/clean cloth and pressure) and managing pain with motrin/tylenol (follow manufacturers instructions for dosing). Some dental emergencies are more urgent than others but all cases of dental trauma should be evaluated by a dentist as soon as possible.
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How to Reduce the Risk of Dental Trauma
Dental injuries are very common amongst active children. Here are some tips to reduce your child's risk of experiencing serious dental trauma.
Safe Play Environments
- Check play areas for younger children for hard surfaces and sharp corners, try to child-proof or limit access to such areas
- Keep hard objects and toys away from young children especially when they are teething (ages 0-3)
Preventing Sports-Related Trauma
- Helmets, facemasks and mouthguards reduce both the frequency and severity of dental/facial trauma.
- Mouthguards are highly recommended for all collision and contact sports and help prevent injuries such as broken or displaced teeth, jaw-joint injury, lip/cheek/chin lacerations and even concussions
- Custom mouthguards made by a dental provider offer the highest level of protection and can be made for children of all ages
- Pre-formed stock mouthguards and boil and bite mouthguards are more affordable alternatives which offer a lower level of protection than custom mouthguards but still reduce the risk and severity of injury
Education and Preparation
- Even with safeguards in place injuries happen! Learning how to manage dental injuries will help the adults managing the situation stay calm and act fast
- Some children are more prone to dental injury depending on their unique dental anatomy. Regular dental check ups will help identify potential risks and a dental provider can offer personalized suggestions
Frequently Asked Questions
