Why? Your child has been diagnosed with cavities and now the dentist wants to “sedate” him.  It sounds nerve wrecking! The need for dental treatment in children is very important because they have a lifetime ahead of them. There are situations when children need to undergo invasive dental treatment. However, unlike the adults, children are usually too scared or uncooperative to allow the dentist to perform the treatment under local anesthesia. In these cases, non-cooperative and anxious children are given dental treatment under sedation. Forms of sedation The dentist will choose the mildest form of sedation that will suffice. The options are: Conscious Sedation – Sometimes the efforts to relax the patient, to allay fears, or to prevent violent obstructive movements is not enough. In that case, conscious sedation is used. During conscious sedation the patient remains conscious of what goes on. He or she can respond to pain, cues, commands and protective reflexes are retained. The child can also, inform the dentist of any pain they feel. Conscious Sedation may be done in many ways: Inhalation Sedation – Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is mixed with oxygen, and given through a face mask. The gas acts fast, and after the treatment, the effect wears out quickly. Patients should have had only a light meal. Oral Sedation- For stronger sedation oral medicines may be given, in liquid or tablet form. With a proper dose the child will be sleepy but can be readily aroused. The child will be able to obey simple commands by the dentist. Nausea or vomiting may occur in some patients. Other Methods of sedation- Intravenous or intra-muscular sedatives can also be given per the situation. Suppositories may also be used in younger children. General anesthesia – When the dental surgeon needs to keep the patient unconscious for a longer period he or she will use a general anesthesia. The child will be unconscious and will need time to recover senses and muscle control. Before and After Before sedation / anesthesia, the patient will normally be required to have had only a light meal. In case of general anesthesia, the child needs to be kept under surveillance till he or she recovers her senses and control fully. The patient may also react to food intake, so it is very important to follow the instructions given by the dentist. *For a more in depth information on sedating children, guidelines and procedures, you may visit: the American Association of Pediatrics *To book a trusted dentist in your area you may search our carefully screened dental clinics.  

  What is Gum Disease and How to Prevent it? Tooth decay and periodontitis (gum disease) are the two most common dental disorders that dentists come across each day. The basic reason behind the development of gum problems, is poor oral hygiene maintenance. So, what are the causes of gum diseases and how you can prevent them? Continue reading to find out! What is Gum Disease? Gum disease is usually characterized by three different stages of severity: Gingivitis – This earliest stage is marked by swollen, red, and tender gums. They may bleed on touch and may cause bad odor in the mouth. No damage has yet been caused to the tissue, and the disease can often be controlled by strict oral hygiene. Periodontitis– If gum disease is ignored continuously, gums start parting away from the teeth thus forming pockets in which plaque can harden into tartar and bacteria can thrive. These bacteria attack the gum and the bone tissue. The teeth start loosening. Advanced periodontitis– Body immune system reacts and attacks the bacteria, destroying the gum and bone tissue also as a collateral. This results in severe loss of gum and bone tissue, and loss of teeth. What causes gum disease? Gum disease is caused by the presence of two things simultaneously and for a long interval: Plaque and bacteria. Bacteria tend to flourish inside the dental plaque and calculus. It is some of these bacteria living inside the plaque which cause gum diseases by releasing toxic substances that damage the gum and periodontal tissues. First, the fibers attaching the gums to the bone are destroyed. Afterwards, the jaw bones start the degrade and teeth become mobile in their sockets, and ultimately fall off.  Preventing Gum Disease Since the disease causing bacterial flourish in the plaque, keeping your teeth free of plaque is the key to preventing gum disease. Two activities must be performed regularly: Good oral hygiene measures, such as brushing and flossing, to prevent your teeth and gums from damage. (Six- monthly) dental inspections, and cleaning where necessary. These visits will ensure that dental problems are diagnosed at early stages and treated accordingly. How does this relate to my Overall health? Unfortunately, for most of us, when we think of oral health and our body, we think of them as separate parts.  Our mouth is connected to our body, and a big contributing factor to our health. The food we eat and how well we take care of it are of upmost importance. You see, since we have a connected circulatory system any bacteria that is present in our mouth will circulate throughout the rest of our body.  Likewise, if we have any inflammation in our mouth, your whole body goes into an inflammatory response.  This means, that if we have any underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease, or any other conditions, two things can happen.  One, your condition can get worse, or two, the condition in your mouth will deteriorate.  For example; […]

As Dental professionals, we have always treated patients by adhering to universal precautions, however…