Safe Sleep Dental

Before the Procedure

Ensure your child does not eat or drink anything for at least eight hours prior to the procedure. This includes all food and liquids as well as gum, mints, and candy. Following these fasting instructions is critical for your child’s safety, and failure to do so may result in delays or cancellation of the procedure.

Please notify the dental office of any illness before the scheduled appointment. Symptoms such as a sore throat, fever, cold, or flu-like symptoms may require the procedure to be rescheduled to ensure anesthesia can be administered safely.

Inform your dentist of all medications your child is currently taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications. Some medications may need to be stopped the morning of the procedure, and your dental team will provide guidance if this applies.

Day of Procedure

Please have your child wear loose, comfortable clothing with sleeves and pant legs that can be easily rolled up, as this allows for proper placement of IV lines and monitoring equipment. If your child normally wears contact lenses, please bring glasses instead for the day of the procedure.

During the procedure, only the patient is permitted in the operatory, and parents or guardians are asked to wait in the office lobby. It is normal for children to feel anxious or uncooperative, and our experienced team is trained to manage these situations safely, calmly, and with compassion.

A responsible adult must accompany the patient home and be able to receive post-procedure instructions. For young children, we strongly recommend having two adults present, one to drive and the other to monitor and comfort the child during the ride home and early recovery period.

We encourage bringing a warm blanket for the car ride home, especially for children, as they may feel chilly after anesthesia. To protect patient privacy and maintain a safe clinical environment, please do not take photos or video recordings while inside the dental office.

Post Procedure

All patients wake from anesthesia differently, and children may appear upset, disoriented, or confused as they regain awareness. This reaction is common and usually short-lived. Staying calm and patient during this time is important, and some children may need to be held securely to prevent falls or injury while they are still unsteady.

It is normal to notice temporary side effects after anesthesia, including dizziness, short-term memory loss, shivering or chills, mood changes, sore throat or coughing, snoring, minor nosebleeds, nausea, or vomiting. These effects typically improve on their own as the anesthesia wears off.

A sore throat or coughing may occur due to the breathing tube used during the procedure and usually resolves within one to two days. Snoring during recovery is common because of deep sleep and can often be improved by gently lifting the chin to help keep the airway open. If a nasal breathing tube was used, which is common for pediatric patients, a minor nosebleed may occur and can usually be stopped quickly by applying light pressure to the nostrils.

Anti-nausea medications are given during the procedure to help reduce discomfort. When reintroducing food, begin with clear liquids and, if tolerated, slowly progress to soft foods before returning to regular foods. If nausea continues, the patient may remain in recovery longer for additional monitoring.

For pain management, Tylenol (acetaminophen) may be given as needed after the procedure. Most patients receive Toradol (ketorolac) during the procedure, which is a strong pain reliever similar to Motrin. If Toradol was given, do not give Motrin (ibuprofen) for at least four hours after leaving the office.