Post-Op Care

Pre-Sedation Instructions

To be sure that your child has the most pleasant and comfortable dental experience possible, he/she will possibly be receiving sedative medication next appointment. An amount of sedation will be used that will relax your child and relieve his/her anxiety, and allow us to complete their dental treatment with the least amount of emotional upset possible.

Several medications in different combinations are usually used with Conscious Sedation. Individually tailored combinations and dosages of medications are selected based on your child's particular needs. During more delicate dental procedures a cloth positioning/restraining wrap may be used to prevent unintended movement that may cause injury during treatment. The use of this wrap also helps maintain an optimal position, maintaining a clear breathing passage for your child. We want your child to have an experience that creates a sense of safety and security, which can lead to a better dental experience for the rest of their life.

Your understanding and cooperation is necessary with the following in order to help us insure a successful sedation appointment:

Food and Liquids: 
 To avoid vomiting and resulting complications during sedation, do not give your child anything to eat or drink for at least 6-8 hours before the dental appointment.

Medications: 
Do not give your child any medicines before or after the sedation appointment unless the dentist has prescribed them or they have been approved previously.

Change in Health Status: 
If your child has any changes to their health, (i.e., a cold), during the week prior to the dental visit notify us as soon as possible.

Arrival to the Office:
 Two responsible adults, (one to drive home and the other to monitor the child), should accompany the patient to the office and must remain until treatment is completed. Please arrive early for your appointment. Due to the length of this appointment do not bring other children.

Activities after Appointment
: No other activities should be planned for your child on appointment day. Plan to make the day quiet and relaxed, and allow your child to rest.

Clothing Choices:
 Light, comfortable clothing is best for your child. Because we need access to the big toe, calf and or arm for our monitor, please no toenail polish, tights, footed sleepers or turtlenecks. Because some children do have accidents, please bring an extra set of clothing.

Post-Sedation Instructions

Getting Home: 
On the way home one adult should sit next to the child for careful monitoring and keep the child's head erect to keep the airway open. Make sure to use seat belts or car seat and ensure they are connected properly.

Symptoms:
 After the treatment your child may experience symptoms like grogginess, tiredness, sleepiness, dizziness, lack of coordination and crankiness. These symptoms can last anywhere from 3-6 hours after leaving the office.

Napping After: 
Your child may want to nap when you get home, most children do. If so do not place your child on a bed or the couch, instead prop the child on his/her side on the floor without a pillow and monitor carefully. Awaken your child if he/she is still sleeping after approximately 4 hours.

Activities: Do not be concerned if your child goes home and does not take a nap when you get home, different children react differently. Make the rest of the day quiet and relaxed, and closely supervise any activity. Don’t send your child to school and do’t allow your child to engage in active play (running, jumping, climbing, going outdoors, etc.).

Eating, Drinking and Numbness: Your child may be hungry since we required you to not feed your child before your appointment, but delay solid foods until the numbness from the local anesthetic wears off. When a child’s lips, cheeks and tongue are numb, it is possible for them to bite themselves and not be aware of it. Watch your child very carefully to be sure this doesn’t happen.

After the visit, small drinks of clear liquids (water, apple juice, 7up, etc.) taken repeatedly are preferable to large amounts. Later you can move to soft foods (yogurt, scrambled eggs, Jell-o, etc.). Your child may eat solid foods if he/she is able to keep the soft foods down.