Inhalation Sedation for Children Under 16 Years Old

What is Inhalation Sedation?

Inhalation sedation can help the child feel calmer and a little sleepy during dental treatment. It doesn’t put the child to sleep—they stay awake but may feel warm and relaxed. They might not remember much about the treatment afterwards.

This sedation is given by breathing a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a small nose mask. 

This helps the child feel relaxed.

Benefits and Risks of Inhalation Sedation

This sedation helps reduce fear and anxiety, making it easier for your child to cooperate during dental work. It’s especially useful for longer or more difficult treatments or if your child feels nervous.

The dental team is trained to give sedation safely and will watch your child closely. The gas leaves the body within 30 minutes after the treatment, so recovery is quick.

At the end, the child will breathe only oxygen to help stop feelings of nausea or headaches.

What to Expect

Usually, there are two or more visits. At the first visit, the dentist will ask about your child’s dental and health history and explain treatment options.

Sometimes your child may try the sedation at this visit. The actual dental treatment happens in later appointments.

If sedation is the chosen method, the dentist will confirm your child’s health details and may contact your child’s doctor if needed.

How to Prepare Your Child

Your child can eat normally but should have a light meal no less than two hours before the appointment.

Give any usual medicines as normal, and bring inhalers or other needed medications to the appointment.

A parent or guardian must sign a consent form before treatment. If you signed the form earlier but can’t come on treatment day, your child must be with a responsible adult over 18 years old.

Have your child wear loose, comfortable clothes and avoid bringing valuables.

If your child is sick with a cold, flu, blocked nose, or any contagious illness on the day, call the dentist to see if the appointment should be changed.

Avoid bringing other children with you.

If you or your teenage child might be pregnant, please tell the dentist before the appointment.

What Will Happen During the Sedation?

The child will breathe the nitrous oxide and oxygen through a nose mask. They might feel warm and have tingling fingers and toes.

Once relaxed, the dentist will use a numbing gel to prepare the area. If injections are needed, they will be given through this numbed spot to reduce pain.

After the treatment, the gas will be stopped and replaced by oxygen. The mask will be removed, and the child will sit up and rest for a few minutes until fully awake.

The child can leave the dental office once they are alert and not dizzy.

They should avoid active or organized sports for the rest of the day but can usually go back to school. 

Eating and drinking is fine after treatment, but be careful if the mouth is still numb to avoid biting lips, cheeks, or tongue. The dentist will explain what pain medicines your child can take while healing.

If you have any questions or worries, please ask Dr Ismail. If you are concerned after the treatment, please contact Dr Ismail.

Acknowledgements:

This information has been adapted from materials provided by the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Anaesthetists.