It's estimated that up to 20% of American adults feel anxious about visiting the dentist. Pediatric dentists like Dr. Mario Martinez and Dr. 
Rebecca Lenard of South Miami Pediatric Dental Association understand that their young patients are at risk for developing dental anxiety that can last a lifetime, which is why they offer sedation to make the experience easier for everyone. Read to learn more about sedation dentistry in this post.
What is dental anxiety?
Anyone who feels uncomfortable about going to the dentist - with sweaty palms, a racing heart, or an upset stomach - is likely dealing with a degree of dental anxiety. These fears often stem from a prior bad experience, concern about pain, or embarrassment about oral health. For children, it may simply be an unfamiliar environment that triggers feelings of dread. However dental anxiety manifests itself, your South Miami pediatric dentist can help keep it at bay with sedation dentistry.
How does sedation dentistry work?
Your South Miami pediatric dentist offers a variety of techniques for helping your child calm his or her fears about dental procedures. For milder instances of dental anxiety, there are medications that can be taken orally; these help to relax the patient and wear off after about four hours. Other methods of sedation dentistry include inhalation of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, or intravenous (IV) treatment with tranquilizers. With the latter, the patient is awake and able to respond to instructions, but remains very relaxed while the IV is in place. Most patients remember very little, if anything, about their procedure once the IV is removed.
Regardless of your child's dental needs, we're here to make the experience comfortable and simple. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martinez or Dr. Lenard, contact South Miami Pediatric Dental Association in South Miami, FL, today.