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Nitrous Oxide /
Conscious Sedation
I.V. Sedation / Outpatient General Anesthesia
/ Post-Op Care
Nitrous Oxide
Some children
are given nitrous oxide/oxygen, or what you may know as laughing gas, to
relax them for their dental treatment. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a blend of
two gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is given through
a small breathing mask which is placed over the child’s nose, allowing
them to relax, but without putting them to sleep. The American Academy of
Pediatric Dentistry, recognizes this technique as a very safe, effective
technique to use for treating children’s dental needs. The gas is mild,
easily taken, then with normal breathing, it is quickly eliminated from
the body. It is non-addictive. While inhaling nitrous oxide/oxygen, your
child remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes.
Prior to your
appointment:
-
Please
inform us of any change to your child’s health and/or medical
condition.
-
Tell us
about any respiratory condition that makes breathing through the nose
difficult for your child. It may limit the effectiveness of the
nitrous oxide/oxygen.
-
Let us know
if your child is taking any medication on the day of the appointment.
This includes prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications.
Conscious
Sedation
Conscious
Sedation is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children,
and children with special needs. It is used to calm your child and to
reduce the anxiety or discomfort associated with dental treatments. Your
child may be quite drowsy, and may even fall asleep, but they will not
become unconscious.
There are a
variety of different medications, which can be used for conscious
sedation. The doctor will prescribe the medication best suited for your
child’s overall health and dental treatment recommendations. We will be
happy to answer any questions you might have concerning the specific drugs
we plan to give to your child.
Prior to your
appointment:
-
Please
notify us of any change in your child’s health and/or medical
condition. Do not bring your child for treatment with a fever, ear
infection or cold. Should your child become ill, contact us to see if
it is necessary to postpone the appointment.
-
You must
tell the doctor of any drugs that your child is currently taking
(prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications) and
any drug reactions and/or change in medical history.
-
Please dress
your child in loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
-
Please make
sure that your child goes to the bathroom immediately prior to
arriving at the office.
Your child
should not have solid food for at least 6 hours prior to their
sedation appointment and only clear liquids for up to 4 hours before
the appointment.
The child’s
parent or legal guardian must remain at the office during the complete
procedure.
Please watch
your child closely while the medication is taking effect. Hold them in
your lap or keep close to you. Do not let them "run around."
Your child
will act drowsy and may become slightly excited at first.
After the
sedation appointment:
-
Your child
will be drowsy and will need to be monitored very closely. Keep your
child away from areas of potential harm.
-
If your
child wants to sleep, place them on their side with their chin up.
Wake your child every hour and encourage them to have something to
drink in order to prevent dehydration. At first it is best to give
your child sips of clear liquids to prevent nausea. The first meal
should be light and easily digestible.
-
If your
child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head to the side to
insure that they do not inhale the vomit.
-
Because we
use local anesthetic to numb your child’s mouth during the
procedure, your child may have the tendency to bite or chew their
lips, cheeks, and/or tongue and/or rub and scratch their face after
treatment. Please observe your child carefully to prevent any injury
to these areas.
-
Please call
our office for any questions or concerns that you might have.
I.V. Sedation
I.V. Sedation is
recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children
with special needs that would not work well under conscious sedation. The
dentist performs the dental treatment in our office with the child
anesthetized under I.V. sedation, which is administered and monitored by
an anesthesiologist.
Prior to your
appointment:
-
Please
notify us of any change in your child’s health and/or medical
condition. Do not bring your child for treatment with a fever, ear
infection or cold. Should your child become ill, contact us to see if
it is necessary to postpone the appointment.
-
You must
tell the doctor of any drugs that your child is currently taking
(prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications) and
any drug reactions and/or change in medical history.
-
Please dress
your child in loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
-
Please make
sure that your child goes to the bathroom immediately prior to
arriving at the office.
Your child
should not have milk or solid food after midnight prior to the
scheduled procedure and clear liquids ONLY (water, apple juice,
Gatorade) for up to 6 hours prior to the appointment.
The child’s
parent or legal guardian must remain at the office during the complete
procedure.
After the
sedation appointment:
-
Your child
will be drowsy and will need to be monitored very closely. Keep your
child away from areas of potential harm.
-
If your
child wants to sleep, place them on their side with their chin up.
Wake your child every hour and encourage them to have something to
drink in order to prevent dehydration. At first it is best to give
your child sips of clear liquids to prevent nausea. The first meal
should be light and easily digestible.
-
If your
child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head to the side to
insure that they do not inhale the vomit.
-
Please call
our office for any questions or concerns that you might have.
Outpatient
General Anesthesia
Outpatient
General Anesthesia is recommended for apprehensive children, very young
children, and children with special needs that would not work well under
conscious sedation or I.V. sedation. General anesthesia renders your child
completely asleep. This would be the same as if he/she was having their
tonsils removed, ear tubes, or hernia repaired. This is performed in a
hospital or outpatient setting only. While the assumed risks are greater
than that of other treatment options, if this is suggested for your child,
the benefits of treatment this way have been deemed to outweigh the risks.
Most pediatric medical literature places the risk of a serious reaction in
the range of 1 in 25,000 to 1 in 200,000, far better than the assumed risk
of even driving a car daily. The inherent risks if this is not chosen are
multiple appointments, potential for physical restraint to complete
treatment and possible emotional and/or physical injury to your child in
order to complete their dental treatment. The risks of NO treatment
include tooth pain, infection, swelling, the spread of new decay, damage
to their developing adult teeth and possible life threatening
hospitalization from a dental infection.
Prior to your
appointment:
-
Please
notify us of any change in your child’s health. Do not bring your
child for treatment with a fever, ear infection or cold. Should your
child become ill, contact us to see if it is necessary to postpone the
appointment.
-
You must
tell the doctor of any drugs that your child is currently taking
(prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications) and
any drug reactions and/or change in medical history.
-
Please dress
your child in loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
Your child
should not have milk or solid food after midnight prior to the
scheduled procedure and clear liquids ONLY (water, apple juice,
Gatorade) for up to 6 hours prior to the appointment.
The child’s
parent or legal guardian must remain at the hospital or surgical site
waiting room during the complete procedure.
After the
appointment:
-
Your child
will be drowsy and will need to be monitored very closely. Keep your
child away from areas of potential harm.
-
If your
child wants to sleep, place them on their side with their chin up.
Wake your child every hour and encourage them to have something to
drink in order to prevent dehydration. At first it is best to give
your child sips of clear liquids to prevent nausea. The first meal
should be light and easily digestible.
-
If your
child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head to the side to
insure that they do not inhale the vomit.
-
Prior to
leaving the hospital/outpatient center, you will be given a detailed
list of "Post-Op Instructions" and an emergency contact
number if needed.
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Post-Op Care
Care of the Mouth after Local Anesthetic /
Care of the Mouth
after Trauma
Care of the Mouth
after Extractions /
Care of Sealants /
Oral Discomfort after a
Cleaning
 Care of the Mouth after Local
Anesthetic
-
If the procedure was in the lower jaw
the tongue, teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will be numb or
asleep.
-
If the procedure was in the upper jaw
the teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will be numb or asleep.
-
Often, children do not understand the
effects of local anesthesia, and may chew, scratch, suck, or play
with the numb lip, tongue, or cheek. These actions can cause minor
irritations or they can be severe enough to cause swelling and
abrasions to the tissue.
-
Monitor your child closely for
approximately two hours following the appointment. It is often
wise to keep your child on a liquid or soft diet until the
anesthetic has worn off.
Please
do not hesitate to call the office if there are any questions.
[Back to Top]
Care of the Mouth after Trauma
-
Please keep the traumatized
area as-clean-as possible. A soft wash cloth often works well during
healing to aid the process.
-
If the swelling should
re-occur, our office needs to see the patient as-soon-as possible. Ice
should be administered during the first 24 hours to keep the swelling to
a minimum.
-
Watch for infection (gum
boils) in the area of trauma. If infection is noticed - call the office
so the patient can be seen as-soon-as possible.
-
Maintain a soft diet for two
to three days, or until the child feels comfortable eating normally
again.
-
Avoid sweets or foods that
are extremely hot or cold.
-
If antibiotics or pain
medicines are prescribed, be sure to follow the prescription as
directed.
-
Watch for darkening of
traumatized teeth. This could be an indication of a dying nerve (pulp).
Please do not hesitate to call
the office if there are any questions.
[Back to Top]
Care of the Mouth after
Extractions
-
Do not scratch , chew, suck,
or rub the lips, tongue, or cheek while they feel numb or asleep. The
child should be watched closely so he/she does not injure his/her lip,
tongue, or cheek before the anesthesia wears off.
-
Do not rinse the mouth for
several hours.
-
Do not spit excessively.
-
Do not drink a carbonated
beverage (Coke, Sprite, etc.) for the remainder of the day.
-
Do not drink through a
straw.
-
Keep fingers and tongue away
from the extraction area.
Bleeding
- Some bleeding is to be expected. If unusual or sustained bleeding occurs,
place cotton gauze firmly over the extraction area and bite down or hold in
place for fifteen minutes. This can also be accomplished with a tea bag.
Repeat if necessary.
-
Maintain a soft diet for a day
or two, or until the child feels comfortable eating normally again.
-
Avoid strenuous exercise or
physical activity for several hours after the extraction.
Pain
- For discomfort use Children's Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed for
the age of the child. If a medicine was prescribed, then follow the
directions on the bottle.
Please do not hesitate to
contact the office if there are any questions.
[Back to Top]
Care of Sealants
By forming a thin covering over the pits and fissures, sealants keep out
plaque and food, thus decreasing the risk of decay. Since, the
covering is only over the biting surface of the tooth, areas on the side
and between teeth cannot be coated with the sealant. Good oral
hygiene and nutrition are still very important in preventing decay next to
these sealants or in areas unable to be covered.
Your child should refrain from eating ice or hard candy, which tend to
fracture the sealant. Regular dental appointments are recommended in
order for your child's dentist to be certain the sealants remain in
place.
The American Dental Association recognizes that sealants can play an
important role in the prevention of tooth decay. When properly
applied and maintained, they can successfully protect the chewing surfaces
of your child's teeth. A total prevention program includes regular
visits to the dentist, the use of fluoride, daily brushing and flossing,
and limiting the number of times sugar-rich foods are eaten. If
these measures are followed and sealants are used on the child's teeth,
the risk of decay can be reduced or may even be eliminated!
[Back to Top]
Oral Discomfort after a
Cleaning
A thorough cleaning unavoidably produces some bleeding and swelling and
may cause some tenderness or discomfort. This is not due to a "rough
cleaning" but, to tender and inflamed gums from insufficient oral hygiene.
We recommend the following for 2-3 days after cleaning was performed:
1) A warm salt water rinse 2 - 3 times per day
(1 teaspoon of
salt in 1 cup of warm water)
2)
For discomfort use
Children's Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as
directed for the age of the child.
Please do not hesitate to contact the office if the discomfort persists
for more than 7 days or if there are any questions.
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