My child has a bad gag reflex – can sedation dentistry help?

Does your child’s gag reflex make receiving dental treatments more difficult? If so, your child might benefit from receiving sedation during visits to our practice. Sedatives have many applications in dentistry, including the reduction of panic and anxiety and promoting patient comfort. These medications also slow down the body’s natural reflexive responses. This means that sedation can help stop your child’s natural urge to gag during treatment. Our kid’s dentist offers IV sedation to help children with special dental needs, such as gag reflexes and dental phobias, receive quality oral healthcare.
 

What is IV sedation exactly?

This type of sedation is administered intravenously but does not impair one’s breathing ability like general anesthesia does. When our kid’s dentist treats patients undergoing IV sedation, a team of trained professionals monitors children’s vitals and responsiveness continuously to ensure a safe and relaxing experience. Each dose is carefully determined to suit the unique needs of each child.
 

What are the benefits of sedation dentistry?

There are many benefits to receiving sedation. Our pediatric dentist understands the need for providing top-notch care to our patients without compromising a child’s level of comfort. Children with gag reflexes or those with fears of dental treatment can receive the highest quality care without negative memories and experiences associated with common procedures and treatments. Since patients rest peacefully during treatment, they will not have memories that may exacerbate previous uneasiness. Those who have difficulty remaining still during treatment also benefit from IV sedation. Since sedation places children in a sleep-like state, our team can provide care without obstruction—which increases the quality of treatment.
 

How do I know if my child will benefit from sedation?

If you wonder if IV sedation is right for your child’s needs, we recommend that you discuss this treatment option with a member of our team. A pediatric dentist at our practice will be able to answer your questions and provide expert insight.

To schedule an appointment or ask questions, call our friendly team at Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry today.