Don't Let Dental Anxiety Get in the Way of Your Child’s Oral Health
At Dr Lil Tooth, we understand that dental visits can be challenging for children. As a parent, your top concern is the well-being and comfort of your child during any medical or dental procedure. General anaesthesia ensures that your child is completely unconscious and pain-free, using a combination of medications (anaesthetics) administered before and during treatment. This sleep-like state allows procedures to be completed safely, comfortably, and with minimal stress for both the child and the parent.
Why General Anaesthesia is a crucial tool in making dental treatment easier
- Ensures your child’s comfort and safety as some children may have trouble sitting still for extended periods of time, especially if they are in pain or experiencing discomfort.
- Managing behavioural issues because it helps to calm anxious or uncooperative children, making it easier for us to perform the work with utmost care.
- When your child needs several procedures done all at the same time, general anaesthesia allows the dentist to complete all the necessary work in a single visit.
- It is more efficient and cost-effective than multiple visits over time, and it helps to ensure that the child receives the necessary dental care without delay.
- Full mouth rehabilitation can help to prevent the need for future dental treatments by addressing underlying issues and restoring proper function and appearance to the mouth.
Basic facts you need to know as a parent/guardian
- Your child’s dentist will recommend general anesthesia to perform dental treatments only if it is needed.
- Your child will sleep through the procedure and have no memory of it.
- When anesthesia is needed, there are special rules for eating and drinking at home before the procedure.
- Your child will have some restrictions after the procedure.
- You should plan to stay at the hospital for most of the day until the anesthesia has completely worn off and it is safe for your child to go home.
What to Expect when choosing this treatment option
Before the Procedure
We know how important it is for parents to feel confident in the care their child receives. Before your child’s procedure, we will schedule a Pre-Anaesthetic Check (PAC). This includes basic blood and urine tests, a physical examination, and a detailed conversation with you, the parents, to discuss your child’s medical history and address any concerns. This helps us create a safe and tailored anaesthesia plan for your child’s comfort.
On the day of the Procedure
Once your child has been registered for the procedure, a member of the hospital anaesthesia staff will meet with you to take your child’s vital signs, weight, and medical history. As the parent or legal guardian, you will be asked to sign a consent form before the anesthesia is given. The anesthesiologist will then review your child’s medical information and decide which kind of sleep medication your child should receive.
During the Procedure
Once your child has been taken to the operating room, anaesthesia is first administered as a gas that your child will gently inhale and eventually sleep. Once your child is asleep, intravenous (IV) anesthesia will be started so that medication can be given to keep him or her sleeping throughout the procedure. This will require a needle (IV Cannula) to be inserted into your child’s vein, usually in the arm or hand.
The dental procedures will performed in a non-invasive and completely pain-free method. Throughout the procedure, we continuously monitor your child’s vital signs and oxygen levels to ensure they are safe and comfortable.
After the Procedure
Once the dental work is complete, your child will be taken to a recovery area where our team will monitor them closely as they wake up. You will be able to be with your child during this time. Expect some drowsiness, but most children begin to feel more alert within an hour. The good news is that most children can go home the same day!
Going Home
Before leaving, we will provide you with all the information you need to care for your child post-procedure. This includes guidance on any pain relief (if necessary) and follow-up care. We’ll also inform you of any specific things to watch for as your child recovers comfortably at home.
Important things to remember following General Anesthesia
- The effects of general anesthesia can last for many hours.
- Your child’s nose, mouth, and throat may remain numb for 30 to 45 minutes after the procedure.
- Your child will be allowed to consume clear liquids 4 hours after the procedure followed by light and soft foods.
- Your child’s throat may remain slightly sore for 1 to 2 days after general anesthesia.
- Your child’s gums and mouth may be sore for a few days afterward, depending on the dental procedure.
- Your child may feel dizzy or feel like vomiting.
At-Home Care and Follow-Up Visits
Your child is not to return to school or day care that day, and you may need to see how he or she feels the next day. Sometimes the effects from general anesthesia — usually tiredness — can last into the next day. Your child will need to remain at home where an adult can monitor him or her.
Upon returning home, your child may only have minimal activity for the remainder of the day.
When to Call the Dentist
If your child experiences the following for more than 24 hours following dental surgery done with anesthesia in the operating room, you should call the dentist:
- fever
- severe bleeding of the gums
- severe pain
- severe vomiting or dizziness
*If your child has any of these symptoms, call the Clinic at 8087783344 immediately. *