Care for Your Child After Their Sedation Appointment

When your child has a sedation appointment, it can be scary. You do not know what to expect, and you do not know if your child is going to react well.

That is why it is essential to follow all the steps and guidelines that your child’s dentist gives you. This helps to ensure that they are receiving the best treatment possible.

 

 

Though sedation is a safe and effective way to calm your child, it can have risks. If your child does not cooperate enough for the sedation to take effect, it can delay treatment. Delaying treatment can lead to more severe, long-term problems.

Before the Sedation Appointment

Before your dental appointment, you will have received a care guide to look over so you will know how the appointment will look. There are also a few quick tips to help guide you before your child goes in for their sedation appointment

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight before the appointment. Some of the medicines may cause nausea and vomiting – an empty stomach reduces the chances of the unpleasant reaction and ensures complete absorption of the medication into the bloodstream.
• Report the use of any other medication. Notify your dentist of any medications given to your child within 24 hours of the sedation appointment. Your child should only take daily medicines with a sip of water.
• Dress your child in comfortable clothes to keep them calm and cozy during their appointment.
• Bring another adult with you. You will carefully attend to your child before and after the appointment, so we recommend that another adult travel with you.

During the Appointment

You should encourage your child before and during their appointment to make sure they are comfortable through the process.

• The dentist will weigh your child to determine the dosage of medication. Sometimes children do not want to take medicine so you might have to hold and encourage them.
• Make sure your child is quiet and inactive. Because of their lack of coordination and drowsiness, it is important to keep them calm so as not to have an accident.
• Monitoring equipment will be used to ensure your child’s wellbeing.
• When awake and alert,  your child will be sent home with you. You child may require a brief recovery time following the treatment.

After the Appointment

Your child may be sleepy or irritable after their appointment, which is normal. Here are a few care tips to help make everything run smoother.

• Make sure your child is under constant supervision. Their mouth will be numb for a few hours after treatment. Make sure they do not bite or rub their face.
• You should encourage your child to drink liquids to stay hydrated. Avoid the use of straw or any spiting action.
• They can begin to eat soft, bland foods when desired. Take a look out our dentist’s favorite after treatment snacks!
• Your child may experience some discomfort and swelling following their treatment. Use ice to ease the pain and swelling for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off.
• Some bleeding is normal after an extraction. Bite on a gauze pad for 15 minutes. If bleeding has not subsided, use a fresh pad for another 15 minutes.

These are a few tips to help you care for your child after their appointment. If you have any questions, call our office, and we will be happy to answer.