Sedation Dentistry for Sensory Overload

We have all heard the horror stories or maybe even have personal horror stories about going to the sedation dentist. With all the current research in childhood disease and psychology, doctors now know that sensory integration dysfunction, a very real condition that is only very recently being diagnosed, could by the underlying cause of some children’s fears of even the simplest oral exam.

Sensory integration dysfunction comes in many colors. It can be diagnosed alone but is often in a package diagnoses that includes other disorders such as ADD, ADHA, Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism, or any of the Autism Spectrum disorders. It is in fact a spectrum disorder itself in which simplistically put a person’s or child’s senses do not integrate well. One may crave deep pressure or detest it, need light touch or be repulsed by it, and these conundrums exist with all of the other senses as well.

Now imagine a child with these issues at the sedation dentist. The drill could sound like a bomb to the patient, the scraping of the teeth may be translated as pain by a child whose senses do not collaborate well. The mere sensation of being touched by the doctor may bring about very real fear as a result of how touch is interpreted for that child. The bottom line is that over the top reactions to regular dental appointments may be related to sensory overload, and this will cause a patient to be uncooperative and untreatable.

Enter sedation dentistry. There are many situations for which this technique could make like extremely easier for a child, the guardian, and the doctor. If your child has a diagnosis of any of the following: sensory dysfunctions or overloads, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, attention deficit disorder, Asperger’s syndrome, autism, autism spectrum disorder, or obsessive compulsive disorder, sedation dentistry may be the solution to maintaining good oral health.

Begin by taking your concerns about your child’s fears to the doctor or staff, and ask if a sedation dentist can help. Explain your child’s diagnosis or even bring documentation of the diagnosis from your primary care physician. You may have to be referred to a professional that utilizes the procedure.

It is not an option to ignore the oral health of a child as a result of his or her fears of the sedation dentist or because of his or her anticipated behavior that may be due to sensory overload. Though it is not always possible, if sedation can be used from the very first dental experience, oral health, regular cleanings, and even procedures will be easier on all involved. A lot of behavior issues related to these fears come with the anticipation of the experience. If you can sidestep ever having a bad experience by choosing sedation dentistry for your child, you have won one of the many battles that these spectrum disorders will bring.