If your child is nervous about coming to the dentist or has dental anxiety, sedation dentistry at Kids Tooth Team may be just what you need to help them get the care they need. We offer gentle care for patients in, so contact us to learn more about your child’s sedation options and schedule an appointment today.
Laughing gas is the most common method of sedation for kids. Your child will wear a nose mask, and breathe in a mixture of laughing gas and oxygen. They will feel “floaty,” and disconnected from what’s happening around them. This gas helps to minimize anxiety, fear, and discomfort, and also helps to minimize a child’s strong gag reflex.
Laughing gas rarely causes side effects which are minor if they do occur (minor headache, dizziness, or upset stomach). Your child will be given 100% oxygen at the end of the appointment to “flush” the laughing gas out of their system so that they can resume normal activities almost immediately after the appointment.
Oral sedation is a safe and effective technique that uses a liquid sedative that your child will take 15-30 minutes before their appointment once they are at the office. Our team has experience using many different types of oral sedation medicines and will tailor the sedation medicine to your child and their needs. After it takes effect, they will feel groggy and sleepy. They may fall asleep during their treatment, and it is normal for them to not remember most of the appointment or being at the dentist’s office. However, they still can be woken up and are responsive to commands.
Your child cannot eat or drink anything after midnight the night before this type of sedation, and they may not go to school or any activities before or after this appointment. A parent or legal guardian must bring the child to the appointment and must remain home with the child for the day to closely monitor them. It takes a few hours for oral conscious sedation to wear off and may cause side effects like confusion, nausea, drowsiness, and a headache.
Intranasal sedation uses a sedative medication that is sprayed into your child’s nose using a specialized sprayer. This is a good option if your child isn’t able to take an oral sedation medication or for certain quick procedures.
The sedative usually takes effect within 5-15 minutes, and it produces a deeper level of sedation. Your child may feel groggy or even fall asleep. Your child cannot eat or drink anything after midnight the night before this type of sedation, and they may not go to school or any activities before or after this appointment. A parent or legal guardian must bring the child to the appointment and must remain home with the child for the day to closely monitor them.
Why choose sedation for your child? You’re in good hands at Kids Tooth Team. We’ll ensure your child is safe, comfortable, and can get the care they need. Sedation is not one size fits all. We offer many levels of sedation to fit your child and their exact needs, and offer many treatment options that do not include sedation at all! Know that your child’s safety and comfort are our #1 priority at all times, so we will be sure to review all of your child’s options for treatment together before we move forward.
If your little one is nervous or scared of the dentist, sedation will help soothe them and ensure they feel safe throughout their treatment at Kids Tooth Team.
Your child can stay still, comfortable, and calm throughout even the longest dental appointment with sedation at Kids Tooth Team.
Many kids are very afraid of needles, which makes numbing difficult. Sedation can help them overcome this fear, and also address other issues like a strong gag reflex.
General anesthesia is a common treatment option for pediatric dental patients that are very young or require a lot of dental work or invasive and complex dental work. This is a sedation method that is delivered with the help of a residency-trained dental or medical doctor called an anesthesiologist.
This sedation allows your child to be completely asleep and comfortable throughout the appointment. Your child will not feel or remember anything about this appointment because they will be asleep in the same way they would for other surgeries. General Anesthesia is done with an anesthesiologist present providing the sedation and one of our doctors completing the dental work. Having two doctors present allows us to get all of your child’s dental treatment needs done at one time and ensure that they are safe and comfortable.
We offer this option in the office for healthy children and also at the hospital for medically complex children or for any parent that may prefer a hospital setting. General Anesthesia is commonly used for children that are young, have special healthcare needs, and/or require extensive or complex dental treatment. If your child has many teeth that need treatment or extractions, or if they are simply unable to tolerate dental treatment while they are awake, then this may be an ideal option to accomplish their treatment needs.
Determining whether sedation dentistry is the right choice for your child depends on several personal and medical factors. For many young patients, especially those who experience dental anxiety, have a strong gag reflex, or require complex or lengthy treatment, dental sedation can create a calm and cooperative environment.
At Kids Tooth Team, Michigan, Dr. Kasey Stark will carefully assess your child’s medical history, age, anxiety level, and specific dental needs during the consultation. Our gentle, minimally-invasive approach means we only recommend sedation when it’s truly beneficial and will enhance comfort, cooperation, and safety.
For children with special healthcare needs, including sensory sensitivities, developmental conditions, behavioral differences, and medical diagnoses requiring additional support, sedation may help make dental visits more manageable and less overwhelming. Our team is highly trained in accommodating kids who need a tailored approach, and we take great care to meet them exactly where they are.
Sedation dentistry is often part of a comprehensive care plan designed just for them, one that focuses on predictability, stress reduction, and emotional comfort. Whether your child is nervous about new environments, has had a negative dental experience in the past, or simply struggles with sitting still for extended periods, we’re here to make every visit feel positive, safe, and even playful. Helping children build trust is at the core of what we do.
Dr. Stark and our clinical team will provide you with specific pre-appointment fasting guidelines based on the type of sedation planned. These guidelines vary depending on whether your child will be receiving nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas), oral conscious sedation, or a combination of approaches. As a general rule, most children should avoid solid foods for about six hours prior to their sedation dentistry appointment. Drinking clear liquids should typically stop two to three hours before the procedure.
These instructions are essential for your child’s safety because proper fasting lowers the risk of nausea, vomiting, and other sedation-related complications. We know that routines can be tricky for many families, especially when caring for very young children, children with sensory processing challenges, or kids who rely on structured meal schedules. That’s why our team walks you through every detail ahead of time and makes sure you feel confident about what to expect.
Our “no-voicemail” policy ensures that when you call, you can always reach a real staff member right away and get answers to your questions before your visit to Kids Tooth Team, Michigan. If you ever need help preparing your child, adjusting your schedule, or confirming exactly what is allowed before the appointment, we encourage you to call us at (248) 422-0555. We are always here to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible for both parents and children.
Recovery from sedation varies based on the sedation method used, the length of the procedure, and your child’s individual response to medication. For nitrous oxide, the effects wear off within minutes after we stop administering the gas. Because nitrous oxide is eliminated quickly from the body, children typically return to their usual alertness before they even leave the dental chair. Most kids can resume normal activities shortly afterward.
Oral conscious sedation works differently and may cause lingering drowsiness for several hours. It is normal for children to feel sleepy, slightly wobbly, or less energetic for the rest of the day. We recommend quiet activities and supervised rest once your family is back home. After the procedure, we’ll carefully monitor your child until they are safe to go home, and we will not dismiss any patient until they meet the appropriate recovery criteria.
No matter what option you choose for your child, Dr. Stark and our team are here to support you. After your little one’s visit, you’ll receive thorough, easy-to-follow post-care instructions outlining what behaviors are expected, what activities to avoid, and how to support your child’s comfort for the remainder of the day.
If you ever have questions once you are home, you are welcome to call our office for guidance. Because Dr. Kasey Stark is board-certified in pediatric dentistry and highly trained in sedation protocols, families throughout Michigan can trust that their child is receiving expert care at every stage, from the very first conversation to the complete recovery.
Common side effects may include mild drowsiness, temporary irritability, or nausea. These reactions typically resolve quickly and are closely monitored by our team. Dr. Stark follows strict pediatric guidelines and evidence-based protocols designed to minimize risks, maximize safety, and ensure that each child’s experience is as smooth as possible.
Serious complications from pediatric dental sedation are extremely rare, especially when sedation is provided by experienced pediatric professionals who follow rigorous safety standards. In order to maintain your child’s safety, every sedation plan at Kids Tooth Team includes a thorough review of your child’s medical history, current health status, medications, and any special considerations.
We also take the time to answer all of your questions and make sure you understand what to expect before, during, and after sedation. Families who have children with complex medical needs or developmental differences can feel confident knowing that our office is equipped and experienced in providing thoughtful, individualized care. No child is ever rushed, judged, or expected to respond the same way as another.
At Kids Tooth Team, we believe that going to the dentist can and should be a positive experience for every child, including those who feel anxious or overwhelmed. Sedation dentistry is just one of the many tools we use to support comfort, reduce fear, and build lifelong confidence in oral healthcare for children of all ages. We’re committed to making each dental visit as stress-free and child-centered as possible and helping kids thrive, one gentle visit at a time.
Proudly serving patients in Lake Orion and the surrounding communities.
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