In special situations, a pediatric dentist may use anesthesia on a child. For certain types of treatments which can involve a high level of pain, the pediatric dentist may recommend a general anesthesia. Anesthesia is also commonly used in treatments which take a long time to complete. Anesthesia allows the child to sleep through the entire procedure and they will not have any memory of the event. There are certain rules for eating and drinking prior to a procedure where anesthesia is used. It also requires that the patient follows certain restrictions following the procedure. The patient’s parent or caregiver should remain at the hospital during the entire procedure. In most cases, they will need to arrive early and remain at the hospital for a while following the treatment to ensure the anesthesia has completely worn off. This ensures it is safe for the child to go home.
During certain types of procedures, the dentist may suggest the use of general anesthesia in the operating room to ensure a child remains safe and comfortable. It is common to use a general anesthesia during extensive or complicated procedures. When procedures take a long time to complete or in the event multiple procedures are needed for treatment, anesthesia helps ensure the child does not have a negative experience. The medication will be administered by a pediatric anesthesiologist. Once administered, the child will remain asleep during the procedure.
General anesthesia make the child’s body fall asleep. It is important to ensure the child’s reflexes are completely relaxed during certain procedures. Children under general anesthesia do not feel any pain and do not have any recollection of the procedure.
Home Preparation
It is important that certain rules regarding eating and drinking are followed prior to the use of general anesthesia. This is to ensure the child is healthy and helps prevent the likelihood or certain side effects. A nurse will typically follow up with the parent one day prior to the procedure to review the pre-treatment instructions. Specific instructions will be provided regarding eating and drinking restrictions. These guidelines are based on the child’s age. Regardless of age, it is critical to follow these instructions. The failure to follow the instructions can result in serious consequences and even require rescheduling the procedure in some cases.
Below are the instructions to follow for infants under 12 months of age:
- Breastfed babies: mothers may nurse or feed breastmilk to the child up to 4 hours prior to the scheduled arrival time
- Formula-fed babies: parents can the baby formula up to 6 hours prior to the scheduled arrival time
The following guidelines apply to children over the age of one:
- No solid foods or colored liquid after midnight the night before the procedure. This includes milk, formula, and juice.
- The child can have clear liquids up to two hours before the scheduled arrival time. This includes water and clear juices such as white grape and apple juice. Milk is not a clear liquid.
- Daily medications can be given, unless the child’s doctor or nurse advises otherwise.
It can be challenging for parents to watch their child undergo anesthesia. Try to remain calm, stay positive, and encourage the child. Children can sense the parent’s emotion and often mimic what they see. A few tips to help ensure the child remains calm and comfortable are highlighted below:
1. Gently hold the child’s hand or stroke their face.
2. Allow the child to bring a favorite item from home. This can include a stuffed animal, blanket, or favorite toy. In most cases, the child can hold the item while anesthesia is being administered.
3. Use a quiet, low voice and speak or sing to the child. The sound of a parent’s voice can be an excellent way to help the child remain calm and feel safe.
If you have any questions regarding the use of anesthesia for your child’s dental procedure, be sure to follow up with their dentist. The pediatric dentist’s goal is to ensure the child is comfortable and receives any necessary treatment to maintain good oral health.