3 Reasons Your Child May Need General Anesthesia
In certain situations, our Hudsonville pediatric dentist may recommend that your child undergo general anesthesia at a hospital in order to have necessary dental work completed. This is always a decision that will directly involve you as the parent or guardian and take into account the individual needs of your child.
Oftentimes, the prevents traumatic experiences for young children as they’re able to sleep peacefully instead of remaining awake for the duration of a lengthy procedure. Not every child will require anesthesia, but there are a few scenarios in which it might benefit them.
Here are 3 reasons that may lead to our pediatric dentist recommending general anesthesia for your child’s next dental procedure(s).
How Anesthesia for Pediatric Dental Procedures Works
With your child’s utmost safety in mind, the general anesthesia will be administered in a hospital setting instead of inside our Hudsonville pediatric dental office. This location will allow our pediatric dentist to work alongside a licensed dental anesthesiologist who is trained to provide the necessary medications and monitor your child’s vital signs throughout their procedure.
Before your child arrives for their scheduled appointment, we will give you detailed instructions about steps to take at home and what to expect while they’re under anesthesia. One such detail that’s important to remember concerns their diet. Your child will need to refrain from eating or drinking a certain number of hours prior to their visit.
Though it’s not ideal, it’s better for them to have an empty stomach when the medications are given. You will be contacted via phone before the appointment about additional information regarding how to prepare your child, their post-procedure recovery process, and more. We are also happy to answer any questions you may have at this time.
Our Pediatric Dentist May Recommend Anesthesia if Your Child:
1. Has Severe Dental Anxiety
When your child is nervous or fearful about their trip to the dentist, it can be hard to calm them down. It is not uncommon for children to experience dental anxiety as the office environment is all new to them and it can be a lot to take in.
While some children do just fine with mild oral sedation or laughing gas, others have such elevated anxiety that only general anesthesia will suffice. If your child has difficulty relaxing in the dental chair, our pediatric dentist can speak with you about . When anesthesia is administered, your child will be asleep, feel no pain, and not remember their procedure.
2. Can’t Stay Still During Their Appointment
Not every child can remain unmoving while our pediatric dentist works on their teeth. Some are jittery, anxious, or unaware of their surroundings. Children with special needs or those diagnosed with hyperactivity disorders especially often find it immensely difficult to sit still despite having no desire to be disruptive.
Let our pediatric dentist know if your child would benefit from extra assistance in the form of general anesthesia. We can explain the entire process and tell you how to best prepare your child for the experience.
3. Requires Extensive Dental Work
Depending on the amount of dental work your child needs, it’s often better to get everything done in one appointment rather than having them return multiple times. Limiting the number of visits can make the situation less stressful and easier to overcome.
For certain in-depth procedures, it can take our pediatric dentist a few hours from start to finish. With your child asleep and relaxed, we can move faster and work as efficiently as possible. It is our goal to give your child the care they need in a timely fashion.
Safe, Comfortable Pediatric Dental Treatment
If, after evaluation, we believe it is in your child’s best interest, our pediatric dentist in Hudsonville, MI, may recommend general anesthesia for their dental treatments. Have questions or need to schedule an appointment? Call Hudsonville Dental Kids today at (616) 209-4039.
