If your child has special needs, you’re likely very aware of all the potential health complications you must protect them from—and many of these issues can stem from a lack of oral hygiene or professional dental care! This means that you need to be taking your child to their dentist regularly; however, you might have concerns about the level of care they’re able to receive, given their circumstances. Fortunately, sedation dentistry is able to allow dentists to easily provide an outstanding level of care for all patients, regardless of their needs. Keep reading to learn more!
Patients with Special Needs Benefit from Special Care
Simply put, there are all sorts of things a patient might need when undergoing dental care—and these needs greatly vary from person to person. Some patients can undergo routine dental care with little to no difficulty, while others can have minor to considerable physical or mental limitations due to things like trauma, medical complications and even hereditary issues.
For children with special needs, the challenges are notable and require specific attention. They often experience issues such as bite misalignment, sensory sensitivities, anxiety and even lack of home hygiene, all of which can complicate dental care.
But a skilled team of dental professionals can easily cater to a patient’s needs, regardless of the circumstances! Pediatric dentists generally receive specialized education and training that dictates how to assist children with special needs. This knowledge is helpful and allows patients with special needs to receive the same caliber of care as others.
How Sedation Dentistry Can Assist Children with Special Needs
Sedation dentistry has completely revolutionized the world of dental care! While under the effects of a sedative, patients feel completely relaxed, which makes it drastically easier to perform various tasks and types of treatment.
One common option that’s widely available for all patients, regardless of their needs, is nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. It’s an odorless, transparent gas that’s mixed with oxygen before being safely administered through a nasal mask. Patients begin feeling the relaxing effects of the gas within minutes; feelings of warmth and euphoria are the most prevalent, with these feelings fading quickly after the appointment. It’s considered perfectly safe for patients of all ages and is arguably the best means of assisting children with special needs who need to undergo dental care.
Children with special needs will have to attend all sorts of medical checkups and appointments throughout their lives, and trips to the dentist’s office make up a large portion of these visits. Knowing that sedation dentistry can be utilized to make these checkups go smoothly can help you feel confident that your child is getting the exact specific care they require!
About the Practice
Here at Simply Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, we’re honored to bring an exceptional level of care to families in the Pelham, NH community! Our talented team is led by Dr. Bassel Boulos, Dr. Sadaf Mostafavian, Dr. Sam Alkhoury, and Dr. Myles Clancy, whom each have several years of experience and expertise in a wide range of fields. If you have any questions about the article or would like to schedule a visit for you or a loved one, contact us online or give us a call today! Telephone: (603) 255-4084.