St. Louis Sedation, Sleep & Special Needs Dentistry :: The Dental Anesthesia Center

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How to Prepare Someone With Special Needs for a Visit to the Dentist

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Everyone has the right to access dental services. However, some people may need a bit more care than others when it comes to going to the dentist.

People with physical disabilities, for instance, may require certain modifications to the dental chair. Those with cognitive special needs, however, may become extremely anxious during the procedures and require the dentist to have a different approach while treating them. 

In any case, here are some things you can do to prepare a person with special needs for their visit to the dentist.

First, Talk to the Dentist

You should discuss with the dentist at-length about the person’s individual needs and see if they can accommodate them. While many will be more than happy to make any changes necessary, that may not be possible in some cases. 

For example, a person with a wheelchair may not be able to visit a certain dental facility because they lack a ramp to allow easy access. The dentist may also recommend a colleague who’s better equipped in providing dental work to people with a specific condition.

In either case, doing this also helps the dentist be prepared to treat your friend or family member and take all the necessary precautions to ensure a safe process.

After you get all this information, try to describe the issues the person with special needs has in terms of dental health. The dentist can then take you through a quick rundown of what sort of treatments or actions they will make during the appointment.

Explain What the Appointment Will Look like

If the person in need of treatment has intellectual disabilities, you should try to explain what they should expect during their first appointment. A visit to the dentist can be a rather anxious experience for anyone, and it’s always much better to know beforehand what to expect.

Try to emphasize that:

  • They are not in any trouble
  • The appointment will not last very long, and it will not hurt at all
  • The dentist will happily answer all their questions, so they shouldn’t hesitate to ask
  • It’s important to do exactly what the dentist says (open mouth, hold still, etc.)
  • You will be with them in the office

You can then ask them if they have any questions and let them know you are happy to answer. It’s important to reassure them that they’ll be fine frequently, and you’re doing this to make their teeth strong and healthy!

Speak With a Special Needs Dentist in St. Louis, MO

If your loved one has special needs, get in touch with the team at The Dental Anesthesia Center. We can guide you through how to prepare your loved one for their upcoming appointment and take any needed steps to ensure they are fully accommodated and receive the best dental treatment possible!

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

Sedation or Laughing Gas: What Should You Choose For Your Child?

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It’s incredibly important for parents to report a detailed health history of the child to the dentist. This way, the dentist can propose the type of sedation that’s best suited for the child.

If you have a child in need of some dental work, then the question of laughing gas or sedation may be brought up by your dentist. The goal here is to ensure your child is getting the safest and best treatment.

There are actually many different types of sedation available for such procedures when the patient is a child.

Types of Sedation and Anesthesia Used for Children

There are usually 4 types of sedation here:

  • Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is the least invasive and considered a mild sedative. Children breathe this with a bit of oxygen, and while they remain awake during the procedure, they will be more relaxed.
  • Mild to moderate sedation – the child is given a certain medication (or a combination of). This is usually common in older children. The effects are a calm and awake child who can still respond and do what the dentist says.
  • Deep sedation – this is done through an IV, and the child will sleep throughout the entire procedure. In this case, there will be another independent observer in the room to monitor the child until the procedure is done, and they can wake up.
  • General anesthesia – here, the child is completely asleep. The procedure is only done by those trained to use anesthesia, and like in the case of deep sedation, the child is monitored by an independent observer.

How Safe Are These Options?

Laughing gas is, by far, one of the safest options when it comes to sedation. But even this isn’t without its potential side effects such as:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue

These are generally short-term effects that go away once the sedative wears off.

However, there may be procedures in which the child must remain completely still, in which case neither laughing gas nor mild/moderate sedation would be enough.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry provides stringent guidelines for dentists and oral surgeons to follow in the case of deep sedation or general anesthesia. This is why deep sedation and general anesthesia require another person in the room to monitor the child throughout the entire procedure.

Every type of anesthesia comes with certain risks and side effects, which is why it’s incredibly important for parents to report a detailed health history of the child to the dentist. This way, the dentist can propose the type of sedation that’s best suited for the child.

St. Louis Sedation Dentistry

When you come in for your appointment Dr. Hoffmann, Dr. Thoms, or Dr. Daugherty will decide which level is best for your child. We look forward to meeting you. Call us at (314) 862-7844, and one of our friendly team members will be happy to speak with you.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

How To Prepare For General Anesthesia at The Dentist

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You and your dentist will go over your health history, ensure that you are healthy enough to have general anesthesia, and make sure that it’s the right choice for your procedure.

General anesthesia at the dentist is one way to deal with severe dental anxiety or safely receive major oral surgeries, such as removing impacted wisdom teeth.

With this type of anesthesia, you are completely unconscious. You won’t remember anything that happened during your procedure. Wondering how to prepare for your treatment at The Dental Anesthesia Center? Here are a few steps you will need to take.

Discuss Risks With Your Dentist Before Your Treatment

While general anesthesia is very safe, certain health conditions like diabetes, sleep apnea, and other complex medical histories may increase the risk of complications during general anesthesia.

You and your dentist at The Dental Anesthesia Center will go over your health history and ensure that you are healthy enough to have general anesthesia – and to make sure that it’s the right choice for your procedure.

Fast According To Your Dentist’s Instructions

You will usually need to fast for at least 6 hours before your surgery. This is because general anesthesia affects muscles in your digestive tract and airway, relaxing them and potentially allowing food and acid into the stomach and lungs. If you have an empty stomach, this is not an issue.

Stop Taking Certain Medications or Supplements

Your dentist will discuss any medications you may not be able to take before your general anesthesia appointment, such as blood thinners.

There are also some other supplements you should avoid before surgery, such as kava, Gingko Biloba, garlic, ginseng, and St. John’s Wort. Again, it would be best to discuss all of your supplements with your doctor to ensure you do not take any supplements that could affect your anesthesia.

Bring Someone With You To Take You Home & Take Care Of You

You will not be able to drive yourself home after your treatment, and the side effects of anesthesia may last for a few hours after your appointment. Along with feelings of confusion and disorientation, you may experience:

  • Nausea
  • Shivering
  • Dry mouth
  • Sore throat
  • Muscle aches
  • Sleepiness
  • Itching

It’s important to bring a responsible adult, such as a partner, family member, or close friend with you to your appointment at The Dental Anesthesia Center. After your appointment, you will be released into their care, and they can monitor you at home to make sure you don’t experience any significant side effects or after-effects related to anesthesia.

Consult With Our Team

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we offer several different anesthesia types, ranging from minimal sedation with laughing gas to complete, full-body general anesthesia. If you are interested in the benefits of sleep dentistry, contact us online or give us a call at (314) 862-7844 for an appointment and explore your options further.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

Can You Be Sedated For A Tooth Extraction?

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At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we specialize in sedation and oral surgeries in St. Louis.

If you are having a tooth extracted in St. Louis, The Dental Anesthesia Center is here to help you stay safe and comfortable throughout the entire procedure. Not sure if you should be sedated during your tooth extraction? Here are a few of the top signs that sedation dentistry may be right for you.

A Surgical Tooth Extraction

Basic or “simple” tooth extractions involve simply loosening the tooth in the socket and then pulling it out with special dental tools. Often, this is done with just local numbing.

But surgical extractions are a bit different. They are required when the tooth has not erupted all the way from the gums. For example, if your wisdom teeth have not come all the way out, this type of extraction may be necessary.

In this case, your dentist will need to make an incision into your gums, cut the tooth into pieces, and pull it out bit-by-bit. This type of surgical extraction is more invasive, so sedation is usually recommended to ensure you feel safe and comfortable.

You Have A Strong Gag Reflex

An extreme gag reflex may make it hard to extract rear teeth such as wisdom teeth. With sedation dentistry in St. Louis, though, you can reduce your gag reflex and ensure you feel more comfortable during your treatment.

You’re Afraid Of Needles

About 50 million Americans are scared of needles, such as numbing needles, making this a top 10 phobia in the country. If you really dislike needles, it may be difficult or impossible to numb your mouth. But with sedation dentistry, you can overcome your fear and get the treatment you need.

Worried That Your Treatment Will Be Painful

If you have a low pain tolerance and are nervous because you think that your tooth extraction will hurt, sedation is a great option. For example, laughing gas sedation helps reduce feelings of pain and makes you feel more calm and carefree during your treatment.

You Have Dental Anxiety or Are Scared of The Dentist

Dental anxiety is a prevalent phobia many people have. If you have a serious fear of the dentist, sedation is definitely the best option. With sedation methods like oral conscious sedation, IV sedation, and even general anesthesia available, you can sleep through your entire procedure at The Dental Anesthesia Center – and you won’t remember any part of the process.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

How to Prepare Your Child For Their First Visit at The Dentist

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The Dental Anesthesia Center has created a friendly and colorful environment for your child to ensure that the first visit isn’t scary!

Worrying about your child’s first visit to the dentist is perfectly natural. After all, many adults still feel anxious when going to the dentist, especially because they fear the procedures’ potential pain. So it’s not uncommon for parents to worry about their child’s first dental appointment. But, you should know that planning for it is far more simple than you’d think.

A Few Suggestions that Will Definitely Help!

Many pediatric dentists recommend scheduling an appointment within the first 6 months after the first tooth appeared and no later than a year. But even if your child is older than this, don’t worry, and definitely don’t feel ashamed. Please schedule an appointment and let the dentist know your child’s first visit to the dentist.

Before that appointment takes places, here are some steps you can follow to ensure everything runs smoothly:

  1. Go for a Tour of the Office – The dentist’s office can be a scary place even for adults. You want to go with a dentist that has created an environment that is appealing to children and can make them feel more comfortable from the moment they step in. To help them ease in, you can book a tour of the office before the child’s dental appointment to become more comfortable with the environment and even the team.
  2. Show Them Content About Going to the Dentist – Children learn a lot from books or cartoons, so a good way to present to them the dentist’s office’s world is to expose them to this type of material before their appointment. This way, you can also answer any questions they may have about the process if they’re older.
  3. Bring Something to Comfort Them – The parents can, of course, sit in with the child during their dental appointment, but having mommy or daddy there may not be enough to relax the child. Consider bringing something extra that could bring them comfort, such as their favorite toy or a blanket they really love.
  4. Promise a Reward – Children can respond better during the dental appointment if they know that afterward, they are in for a treat, like ice cream or a trip to the zoo right after the appointment is over. This also helps clarify that going to the dentist is not a punishment!

The Dental Anesthesia Center has created a friendly and colorful environment for your child to ensure that the first visit isn’t scary!

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

How to Maintain Your Kids’ Oral Health During the Winter Holidays

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Here are some things you can do to help your little ones avoid cavities and keep their teeth as healthy as always.

The holidays are a great time to unwind, eat good food, and enjoy spending time with your family. The best and simplest way to bond with loved ones is to gather around the table and enjoy a delicious home-cooked dinner. Most of us will prepare festive dishes for these feasts, and sweets are hard to avoid during Christmas. But, the last thing you want for the holidays is for your kids to get cavities from eating too many sugary things.

Here are some things you can do to help your little ones avoid cavities and keep their teeth as healthy as always.

Find Healthy Alternatives for Christmas Sweets

We know that Christmas is all about family traditions, and it often involves preparing sweets that you won’t serve for the rest of the year. However, you can offer the little ones healthier alternatives to the traditional recipes you are preparing. Include more fruit in the sweets you are baking, avoid processed foods, and stay away from caramel, chocolate sauces, toffees, and other super sticky, sugary ingredients that can linger in your child’s mouth.

Don’t Offer Sweets Throughout the Day

It’s tempting to let your kids break the rules during Christmas since you are all enjoying free time together, but it’s healthier to offer them sweets only once a day than giving them in small portions throughout the day. Of course, avoiding a sugar rush is also important, but small portions offered many times a day is not healthy for your kid’s teeth. Limit them after lunch only, for example.

Give Your Children Water During Every Meal and Snack

Avoiding juice and offering water instead is also very important to keep plaque to a minimum. Encourage your kids to rinse their mouths with water after every meal or snack, and give them juice as you would give any other sweet food – with limitations.

Monitor Their Brushing Closely

Brushing at least two times a day should not be negotiable, even during the holidays. Your kids might try to get a free pass just because it’s Christmas, but that can easily lead to cavities. Monitor their brushing and make sure they get rid of the plaque after every meal they have.

Schedule a Professional Cleaning after Christmas

To make sure your kids won’t get cavities during the Christmas holidays, schedule a professional cleaning with their St. Louis pediatric dentist when the holidays are over. No matter how well they brushed their teeth during this time, it won’t replace a good cleaning done in the dentist’s office.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844