My family's dental health is important to me. Unfortunately for me, it is not as important to my little ones. Getting my kids to brush and floss on a daily basis is almost like taking on an obstacle course. I talked to my family's dentist about different methods I could try to encourage them to brush and floss on a regular basis. Some of the tricks worked, some did not. After some experimentation and talking to other parents, I was able to come up with a lot of great tips for helping kids care for their teeth. I started this blog to help other parents get creative when it comes to their kids and dental care.
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A Guide to Creatively Handling a Child's Dental Health
Three Ways You Can Manage Pain During Your Dental Procedure
Bella Snyder
One of the most common reasons that patients forgo regular visits to the dentist or necessary dental procedures is the fear of pain. However, there are a slew of ways to better manage pain during minor and major dental procedures. Check out some of the best ways to keep your pain levels in check during your visits to the dentist.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas, is an increasingly popular way to help manage patient pain levels. When it is time for the procedure, your dentist administers the laughing gas via a facial mask. When the procedure is over, your dentist administers oxygen via the mask, flushing the laughing gas out of the patient's system.
One benefit to the use of nitrous oxide is that patients quickly return to an alert state. They are able to drive themselves home, and there is no lasting grogginess. Nitrous oxide may be used alone or in conjunction with other pain management methods.
A drawback to using nitrous oxide to reduce pain is that some insurance companies may not cover the cost, causing patients to have to pay out of pocket for it.
Oral Sedatives
Your dentist can prescribe an oral sedative that you take before your appointment. There are a few different options; the best one varies based on the procedure that you have scheduled. The dosage of the pill also plays a role in how it affects you. Some pills may make you feel more relaxed, while others may cause you to dose off.
One disadvantage to using an oral sedative for pain relief is that you need someone to drive you home after your appointment. With many oral sedatives, it is not safe to drive or operate machinery after you take them.
However, most insurance plans with prescription coverage pay for oral sedatives, reducing your out-of-pocket cost.
Intravenous Sedation
If you are undergoing an intense dental procedure or experience severe dental anxiety, intravenous sedation may be the best way to help manage your pain levels. Your dentist will insert an IV into a vein on your hand or arm. With intravenous sedation, you are awake but extremely relaxed during the procedure. Your dentist has the ability to adjust the dosage during your procedure so that it meets your needs.
During intravenous sedation, your dentist has to monitor your oxygen levels; if your levels get too low, your dentist must be ready to provide you with oxygen to raise your levels back to a healthy level. As a result, there are some dentists who do not offer this pain management option. To schedule an appointment, contact a clinic like Dentistry For Children & Adolescents.
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