Seeing a pain free pediatric dentist makes dental visits more pleasant for children. Dental anxiety is a common issue that affects people of all ages, and a fear of pain is one of its leading causes. Painful experiences at the dental clinic as a child can lead to a person developing a fear of dentists as an adult.
Likewise, children who have had pleasant experiences at the clinic are less likely to develop dental anxiety as adults.
Making dental experiences as pleasant as possible helps to develop positive memories of being at the dentist's office. Some of the ways a pediatric dentist can make your child’s experience at the clinic pain-free include:
Fear of injections is a common cause of dental anxiety, and it typically emerges out of a fear of pain. Most people do not like getting injections, and the idea of getting one can send those with dental anxiety into full-blown panic mode.
Pain-free dentistry often involves using topical anesthetics to minimize the pain caused by an injection. The anesthetic numbs the area being injected, so the child might only feel a slight sensation as the substance injected flows into their tissues.
Dentists also use special needles that are extremely thin to help patients get past their fear of injections. The smaller diameter of these injections typically leads to less pain. Eliminating the fear of injections makes children feel more comfortable about going to the dentist.
Dental sedatives can help relax children who fear dentists, and they help to minimize any pain experienced during treatments. Nitrous oxide is a commonly used dental sedative that is safe for children. It is a fast-acting gas that takes effect within minutes, and it keeps the child relaxed and happy during treatments. Pain is the last thing on a child’s mind when under the influence of nitrous oxide. It typically leads to happy feelings and outbursts of laughter; hence why it is commonly known as "laughing gas". A pediatric dentist might also explore other options like oral or IV sedatives.
Pediatric dentists typically use local anesthetics whenever treatments that would otherwise cause pain are performed. These drugs are injected into the area being worked on and numb the area, preventing the patient from feeling pain as the treatment is performed. A topical anesthetic can be used to numb the area being injected to deliver a pain-free experience.
The effects of a local anesthetic can last for a few hours, and it is best to hold off on meals until then. A child can easily bite soft tissues like their tongue or cheeks if they attempt to eat while their mouth is still numb.
Pain free pediatric dentistry helps your child to develop positive memories about dentists. As a result, they are more likely to visit a dentist regularly as adults, keeping their teeth and gums healthy. Give us a call or visit our Richmond clinic to set up an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://www.grandparkwaypediatricdental.com or call Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental at (832) 579-0960 for an appointment in our Richmond office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Sedation Dentist in Richmond, TX.
You might be considering sedation dentistry for kids if your young one is uncomfortable with the idea of being in a dental chair. Dental anxiety is a serious issue that affects people of all ages, and it can worsen as a person ages.There are various situations when sedation dentistry for kids is recommended. For example,…
A pediatric dentist may sedate children for more in-depth procedures in the form of oral medication, via a facial mask, or intravenously. Generally, sedatives administered via a facial mask can be used for any procedure or appointment because they are so mild. However, the other two forms of sedation for kids are for more specific…
Dental sedation is a way to make pediatric dentistry visits pain-free for children. It involves using sedative medications that help your child feel calm and relaxed. Perhaps more importantly, they are less likely to experience much discomfort during more invasive pediatric dental procedures. This review discusses sedation during pain-free visits with a top pediatric dentist.There…
Pain free pediatric dentistry aims to make dental treatments more pleasant for your child, wither by using a local anesthetic or a sedative if the child has dental anxiety. Sedatives like nitrous oxide can make dental appointments more pleasant for nervous children. They are also sometimes recommended for complicated procedures that might require a child…
A healthy smile requires a lifetime of focusing on oral hygiene basics. Even if your child has healthy teeth and a history of proper dental care, reviewing best practices helps maintain good daily habits. During your child's routine teeth cleaning, a pediatric dentist can help answer any questions about caring for their teeth. In the…
Healthy teeth are a vital part of eating and enjoying food, but certain foods can be more harmful to dental health than others. An important component of oral hygiene basics is learning about foods that help and hurt the teeth. This can allow parents to guide kids' choices when caring for their teeth. Read on…