Sedation Dentistry Services
Making Dental Care More Comfortable for Your Child
The dentist can seem like a scary place for adults and children alike! Sedation Dentistry has gained in popularity due to its ability to make patients more comfortable and relaxed for all types of procedures, ranging from routine teeth cleaning to filling cavities, dental surgery, and more.
The Fun Children’s Dentist offers dental sedation at our The Fun Children’s Dentist office. Each patient is different, so we encourage you to schedule an appointment by calling 361-851-1876 to see if sedation may be a good fit for your child.
Nitrous Oxide aka "Laughing Gas"
Nitrous Oxide aka "Laughing Gas" Info:
- helps to relax children for their dental treatment
- mild, easily taken, and non-addictive
- nitrous oxide/oxygen blend
- given through a small breathing mask over the nose
- deemed as safe and effective by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Prior to Appointment:
- inform us of any changes to your child's health and/or medical condition
- inform us of any respiratory condition that makes breathing through the nose difficult for your child, this may limit the effectiveness of the "Laughing Gas"
- inform us if your child is taking any medication on the day of the appointment
Types of Dental Sedation
Nitrous Oxide aka "Laughing Gas"
Nitrous Oxide aka "Laughing Gas" Info:
- helps to relax children for their dental treatment
- mild, easily taken, and non-addictive
- nitrous oxide/oxygen blend
- given through a small breathing mask over the nose
- deemed as safe and effective by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Prior to Appointment:
- inform us of any changes to your child's health and/or medical condition
- inform us of any respiratory condition that makes breathing through the nose difficult for your child, this may limit the effectiveness of the "Laughing Gas"
- inform us if your child is taking any medication on the day of the appointment
Conscious Sedation
Conscious Sedation Info:
- recommended for very young or apprehensive children
- calms children and reduces anxiety and discomfort
- children may become drowsy and even fall asleep, but will not become unconscious
- various medications; your dentist will select the best one for your child & answer all of your questions
Prior to Your Child's Sedation Appointment:
- do not bring your child in for treatment if they have a fever; please call in to postpone the appointment
- inform us of any changes to your child's health and/or medical condition
- inform us if your child has any prescriptions or has any drug reactions
- please dress your child in comfortable shoes and with no ponytails or buns in the back of the head
- please make sure your child goes to the bathroom right before arriving to the office
- your child should not have solid food for at least 6 hours prior to their sedation appointment
- be sure that the child's parent or legal guardian remains at the office during the complete procedure
- please watch your child closely as the medication takes effect; do not leave them unattended
- your child will act drowsy and may become slightly excited at first
- we do not recommend that your child return to school
After Your Child's Sedation Appointment:
- your child will be drowsy; monitor them very closely and keep them away from areas of potential harm
- at first, give your child sips of water or clear liquids to prevent nausea
- your child's first meal should be light and easy to digest
- if your child wants to sleep, place them on their side with their chin up.
- wake them up every hour
- encourage them to drink water to prevent dehydration
- if your child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head to the side to ensure that they do not inhale the vomit
- because we use local anesthetic to numb your child's mouth during the procedure, your child may bite or chew their lips, cheeks, and/or tongue, and scratch their face after treatment
- please observe your child carefully to prevent injury to these areas
- please call our office at
361-851-1876with any questions or concerns that you might have
Conscious Sedation
Conscious Sedation Info:
- recommended for very young or apprehensive children
- calms children and reduces anxiety and discomfort
- children may become drowsy and even fall asleep, but will not become unconscious
- various medications; your dentist will select the best one for your child & answer all of your questions
Prior to Your Child's Sedation Appointment:
- do not bring your child in for treatment if they have a fever; please call in to postpone the appointment
- inform us of any changes to your child's health and/or medical condition
- inform us if your child has any prescriptions or has any drug reactions
- please dress your child in comfortable shoes and with no ponytails or buns in the back of the head
- please make sure your child goes to the bathroom right before arriving to the office
- your child should not have solid food for at least 6 hours prior to their sedation appointment
- be sure that the child's parent or legal guardian remains at the office during the complete procedure
- please watch your child closely as the medication takes effect; do not leave them unattended
- your child will act drowsy and may become slightly excited at first
- we do not recommend that your child return to school
After Your Child's Sedation Appointment:
- your child will be drowsy; monitor them very closely and keep them away from areas of potential harm
- at first, give your child sips of water or clear liquids to prevent nausea
- your child's first meal should be light and easy to digest
- if your child wants to sleep, place them on their side with their chin up.
- wake them up every hour
- encourage them to drink water to prevent dehydration
- if your child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head to the side to ensure that they do not inhale the vomit
- because we use local anesthetic to numb your child's mouth during the procedure, your child may bite or chew their lips, cheeks, and/or tongue, and scratch their face after treatment
- please observe your child carefully to prevent injury to these areas
- please call our office at 361-851-1876with any questions or concerns that you might have
Outpatient General Anesthesia
Outpatient General Anesthesia Info:
- recommended for very young or apprehensive children, or children with special needs who do not work well under conscious sedation or I.V. sedation
- general anesthesia will have your child fall completely asleep
- outpatient general anesthesia is performed in a hospital or outpatient setting only
Prior to Your Child's Outpatient General Anesthesia Appointment:
- do not bring your child in for treatment if they have a fever, ear infection, or cold; please call in to postpone the appointment
- inform us of any changes to your child's health and/or medical condition
- inform us if your child has any prescriptions or has any drug reactions
- please dress your child in loose-fitting, comfortable clothing
- your child should not have milk or solid food after midnight prior to the scheduled appointment
- the child's parent or legal guardian must remain at the hospital or surgical site waiting room during the complete procedure
After Your Child's Outpatient General Anesthesia Appointment:
- prior to leaving the hospital/outpatient center, you will be given a detailed list of "Post-Op Instructions" and an emergency contact number, if needed
- your child will be drowsy; monitor them very closely and keep them away from areas of potential harm
- your child's first meal should be light and easy to digest
- if your child wants to sleep, place them on their side with their chin up.
- wake them up every hour
- encourage them to drink water to prevent dehydration
- if your child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head to the side to ensure that they do not inhale the vomit
Outpatient General Anesthesia
Outpatient General Anesthesia Info:
- recommended for very young or apprehensive children, or children with special needs who do not work well under conscious sedation or I.V. sedation
- general anesthesia will have your child fall completely asleep
- outpatient general anesthesia is performed in a hospital or outpatient setting only
Prior to Your Child's Outpatient General Anesthesia Appointment:
- do not bring your child in for treatment if they have a fever, ear infection, or cold; please call in to postpone the appointment
- inform us of any changes to your child's health and/or medical condition
- inform us if your child has any prescriptions or has any drug reactions
- please dress your child in loose-fitting, comfortable clothing
- your child should not have milk or solid food after midnight prior to the scheduled appointment
- the child's parent or legal guardian must remain at the hospital or surgical site waiting room during the complete procedure
After Your Child's Outpatient General Anesthesia Appointment:
- prior to leaving the hospital/outpatient center, you will be given a detailed list of "Post-Op Instructions" and an emergency contact number, if needed
- your child will be drowsy; monitor them very closely and keep them away from areas of potential harm
- your child's first meal should be light and easy to digest
- if your child wants to sleep, place them on their side with their chin up.
- wake them up every hour
- encourage them to drink water to prevent dehydration
- if your child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head to the side to ensure that they do not inhale the vomit
