{"id":116,"date":"2024-12-02T22:14:43","date_gmt":"2024-12-02T22:14:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hamiltonpediatrics.ca\/blog\/?p=116"},"modified":"2025-01-27T22:18:43","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T22:18:43","slug":"sedated-smiles-what-your-child-might-feel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hamiltonpediatrics.ca\/blog\/2024\/12\/02\/sedated-smiles-what-your-child-might-feel\/","title":{"rendered":"Sedated Smiles: What Your Child Might Feel"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hamiltonpediatrics.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AdobeStock_693147766-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Little boy in dental chair with pink nitrous oxide mask over nose\" class=\"wp-image-117\" style=\"width:320px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hamiltonpediatrics.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AdobeStock_693147766-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.hamiltonpediatrics.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AdobeStock_693147766-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hamiltonpediatrics.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AdobeStock_693147766-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.hamiltonpediatrics.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AdobeStock_693147766-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.hamiltonpediatrics.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AdobeStock_693147766-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Visiting your pediatric dentist every six months for a routine visit is an easy and effective way to maintain your child\u2019s smile. It allows their provider to monitor their condition to catch and address any areas of concern before they progress to protect their dental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many kids struggle with dental anxiety, but thankfully, your pediatric provider offers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hamiltonpediatrics.ca\/sedation-dentistry.html\">sedatives<\/a> that can keep them calm. That said, some parents worry about what their child will feel when they\u2019re medicated. Continue reading to learn what to expect to set your mind at ease!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Dental Sedation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your child\u2019s pediatric dentist can administer or prescribe medications that help them feel relaxed and comfortable throughout their appointment, regardless of the reason for their visit. These are often used to reduce anxiety, help fidgety kids sit still, and ensure that they don\u2019t feel any pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;There are several types, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Nitrous oxide. <\/strong>Also known as laughing gas, this sedative is inhaled through a mask placed over your child\u2019s nose while their dentist works.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Oral conscious sedation. <\/strong>This pill is typically prescribed ahead of your little one\u2019s appointment with instructions for them to take it before they arrive. That way, the meds kick in by the time they\u2019re in the dentist\u2019s chair.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>General anesthesia. <\/strong>This hospital-based anesthesia is typically reserved for those with severe cases of dental phobia or who have lengthy or invasive procedures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Does Dental Sedation Feel Like?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>These medications are incredibly beneficial if your child gets upset or nervous around dental appointments. However, you might avoid giving your provider permission to provide them if you\u2019re unsure what your kid will feel once they\u2019re administered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although it might differ slightly based on your kid\u2019s unique situation, typically you can expect them to experience the following sensations based on the type of sedation they receive:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Nitrous oxide. <\/strong>This gas begins working almost as soon as its inhaled, and the effects dissipate moments after the mask is removed. It causes a light, sometimes euphoric feeling that can give you the giggles, hence the nickname, laughing gas. It reduces your child\u2019s ability to feel discomfort but doesn\u2019t put them to sleep.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Oral conscious sedation. <\/strong>This is somewhat stronger than laughing gas and inducees a deeper sense of calm. Your child may become drowsy, slur words, or have dull reflexes afterward. They likely won\u2019t remember the details of their procedure, which can be helpful for kids with anxiety.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>General anesthesia. <\/strong>This puts patients into a deep state of relaxation that prevents your little one from experiencing pain. They\u2019re not likely to recall much of their appointment after the fact.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re unsure whether sedation is right for your child, the best way to find out is to consult with their dentist!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meet the Dentist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Michael Rullo enjoys helping children from 0 to 18 build and maintain their happiest, healthiest smiles. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at Western University in London, Ontario, and then completed his Pediatric Dental Residency and Masters in Oral Biology in Ohio. Today, he offers a wide array of services to improve your child\u2019s dental health, regardless of its current condition. He\u2019s licensed to administer multiple forms of sedation to help your child overcome anxiety or successfully undergo lengthy or complex procedures. You can request an appointment on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hamiltonpediatrics.ca\/contact.html\">website<\/a> or call (905) 525-8272.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Visiting your pediatric dentist every six months for a routine visit is an easy and effective way to maintain your child\u2019s smile. It allows their provider to monitor their condition to catch and address any areas of concern before they progress to protect their dental health. Many kids struggle with dental anxiety, but thankfully, your [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Sedated Smiles: What Your Child Might Feel | Dr. Michael Rullo<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you\u2019re unsure what your child experiences under dental sedation, continue reading to learn more about it!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hamiltonpediatrics.ca\/blog\/2024\/12\/02\/sedated-smiles-what-your-child-might-feel\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" 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