Cavities filled and oral conscious sedation
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We are scheduled to have a cavity filled for our 4 year old next week, and he has a lot of anxiety at the dentist, so they are planning to use oral conscious sedation. I’m nervous for him. I asked if we needed to do this procedure and they assured me we did and showed me the xray of the cavity and how it’s gotten worse over time
we are good consistent brushers, but here we are. I’m nervous about how he’ll respond to the medicine, how long he’ll be “out of it” and if it will really help ease his nerves enough for them to do what they need to do. I know a lot of young kids have had this done…have any of you been nervous for your kid? Was it as bad as you made it out to be? Thanks in advance 
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Here in solidarity. Following to hear advice!
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We did nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for our 4 year old during a cavity and it was enough. We personally haven't used conscious sedation but i've had 4 friends that have used it for their kids this summer getting teeth pulled (or anything more than a cleaning) and all 4 had fine experiences with it. I know that's probably not super helpful. One of my friends said her son was basically asleep when they pulled his tooth, which for 4yrs old I think is ideal.
They can't eat beforehand and I think they chill after while they are adjusting. Also monitored the entire time. -
We did nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for our 4 year old during a cavity and it was enough. We personally haven't used conscious sedation but i've had 4 friends that have used it for their kids this summer getting teeth pulled (or anything more than a cleaning) and all 4 had fine experiences with it. I know that's probably not super helpful. One of my friends said her son was basically asleep when they pulled his tooth, which for 4yrs old I think is ideal.
They can't eat beforehand and I think they chill after while they are adjusting. Also monitored the entire time. -
We had to do it twice in the last year for our 8 year old with SEVERE anxiety and it was much easier than I thought. He wasn't asleep but might as well have been. I felt really defeated to learn he had cavities but the enamel strength is genetic and sometimes, you do everything right and it still happens. He was numb for an hour after he came to and that annoyed him but was fine. He hung out the rest of the day but would have been capable of doing something. Every kid reacts differently though. I think most would nap. I will say, the laughing gas option isn't good for a lot of people bc their body can't remove it efficiently afterwards. Same thing with sedation but it's better than the laughing gas (for us). I learned he and I have that issue through genetic testing and we do a glutathione suppository day before and after to help detox. You can do it! Good luck!
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We had to do it twice in the last year for our 8 year old with SEVERE anxiety and it was much easier than I thought. He wasn't asleep but might as well have been. I felt really defeated to learn he had cavities but the enamel strength is genetic and sometimes, you do everything right and it still happens. He was numb for an hour after he came to and that annoyed him but was fine. He hung out the rest of the day but would have been capable of doing something. Every kid reacts differently though. I think most would nap. I will say, the laughing gas option isn't good for a lot of people bc their body can't remove it efficiently afterwards. Same thing with sedation but it's better than the laughing gas (for us). I learned he and I have that issue through genetic testing and we do a glutathione suppository day before and after to help detox. You can do it! Good luck!
@hanginbyathread thank you for your kind and thorough response! Glad to hear this!
