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MISCHELLE DOLL, D.D.S
1819 61st Avenue, Suite #101 Greeley, CO 80634 ~ Phone: (970) 506-1339 ~ Fax: (970) 339-8500
INSTRUCTIONS TO PARENTS
Recovery after General Anesthesia and Dental Surgery
GENERAL ANESTHESIA: Typically, the procedure of having dental restorations while under general
anesthesia is a relatively short procedure lasting between one and four hours. Exposure to the anesthesia is
also short; therefore the medication wears off quickly with few side effects. Children typically recover
faster than adults.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS TO GENERAL ANESTHESIA:
1.
GROGGINESS. Your child may want to sleep or cannot quite become alert after surgery. If
sleeping, the child will be able to bypass the groggy feeling as the body adjusts back to normal. If
awake, your child may not have good hand/eye coordination, may forget what you just said, may
not respond in a usual manner or may simply cry as a coping mechanism. You can best help your
child by not attempting to speed recovery. Be a relaxing or cuddling presence by not
displaying anxiety around your child.
2.
NAUSEA/VOMITING. Vomiting is a potential side effect of general anesthesia. Like any new
challenge to the body, a common reaction to not feeling normal is to vomit. A medication called
Zofran is given to your child before they wake up via the I.V. to reduce the chance of your
child getting sick, but if they do get sick please encourage your child to drink to calm the
stomach.
3.
SORE THROAT/NOSE. When the breathing tube passes through the nose and throat, it can
irritate the soft nasal and throat tissues. Your child may experience a “hoarse” voice or a scratchy
feeling in the throat. Reassurance, distraction, and cold drinks will help your child
tremendously.
4.
ANGER AT THE I.V. Children simply do not understand or like the I.V. in their hand once they
wake up (the I.V. will not be placed until your child is asleep). The needle to the I.V. is gone and a
flexible plastic catheter enters the vein, but hand movement can be uncomfortable. Restricted
movement while trying not to tangle the I.V. tube is also irritating. The I.V. must stay in place to
deliver needed medications until the child is almost ready to leave. Hold your child’s hand for
reassurance and to restrict movement. Encourage drinking fluids so the I.V. becomes less
necessary for fluid delivery.
5.
HIGH FEVER FOLLOWING SURGERY. This is a very common side effect of general
anesthesia following surgery. This is why we ask that you give your child Tylenol only if needed
the first night to break any elevated fever.
DENTAL SURGERY: Dental restorations under general anesthesia do not differ from restorations done in
the office.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS TO DENTAL SURGERY
1.
Discomfort. Some mild gum discomfort and tenderness may occur around a crown until the gum
tissue heals around the tooth that has been restored. At the hospital, this pain is relieved with
Tylenol. At home, please give your child soft foods for 24-48 hours. Give Tylenol every 4
hours as needed for the first night following surgery. Then, if the following day your child
still needs some relief from discomfort, use Children’s Motrin or Advil until no longer
needed. Careful brushing is a must so the gums can heal quickly without plaque build up.
Revision 1/1/2010
Dental Sugery Instructions to Parents-1
Recovery from General Anesthesia and Dental Surgery
Page 1 of 3
MISCHELLE DOLL, D.D.S
1819 61st Avenue, Suite #101 Greeley, CO 80634 ~ Phone: (970) 506-1339 ~ Fax: (970) 339-8500
Sore gums from the placement of restorations generally heal within 2-4 days. Gentle rinses
with warm salt water promote healing (after extractions, wait 24 hours before rinsing).
2.
NEW BITING SURFACES/SALIVA. Sometimes children are surprised by how their teeth feel
different. (Ex: Smooth and potentially bigger after the cavities are removed and filled). The teeth
may not come together exactly as they did before either, due to the preformed nature of the crowns
if needed. When something feels different within the mouth, heavy salivation may occur for 1-2
days. At home, avoid chewy or hard foods. It may take up to five days for the bite to return
to normal.
3.
SLEEPY LIPS. A benefit of General Anesthesia is not having to numb the mouth unless a tooth
is extracted. Small children are especially surprised at the new sensation in their lips that they
can’t rub off. They may react like it is painful because of its strangeness. Tell your child the lip is
“sleeping” or “napping” and will wake up in an hour. Do not let them bite or pick at their
lip. Distract them with drinks or play.
4.
VOMITING. If the child swallows any blood after the procedure, the blood can irritate an empty
stomach. Tooth extractions, deep cleanings and gum surgery can all cause oozing blood. As above,
the best defense for vomiting is putting something in the stomach. At home, allow your child to
drink or eat soft foods as soon as they want them. Remember their mouth may be slightly
sore, but they will be ravenous. Comfort foods such as jello, yogurt, shakes, mashed
potatoes, macaroni and cheese and french fries may be a great start.
5.
STITCHES. If an adult tooth or multiple teeth were removed, stitches may have been placed. The
purpose of stitches is to lesson oozing of blood and speed healing. Stitches feel like thread in the
mouth and cause the tongue to go nuts. In rare cases, when stitches are placed, they are the lesser
of the two evils. If sutures are used on your child, they will resorb within 10 days. At home, if a
stitch is bothering your child, gently tug it with tweezers. If it comes out easily, it was meant
to, if it doesn’t, leave it in.
6.
DRIVE HOME/PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES. A second person besides the driver must be
available during the patient’s transport home. Your child must not engage in vigorous physical
activities for the remainder of the day. Your child should be monitored closely and not be left
unattended for 12 hours after the surgery.
7.
HYGIENE. Great hygiene and a low sugar diet are imperative for the healing of soft tissues and
to prevent your child from developing decay in the future. If your child has had a crown placed, it
is imperative that the gum-line of the crown remains clean to prevent failure from a gum abscess
in the future.
8.
The unexplained or unexpected. Every child is different, and every now and then you will come
up with a question not covered here. Do not worry at home without an answer! Give Dr. Doll a
call. We want to make this experience as positive as possible for you and your child.
Office: 970-506-1339
9.
Cell: 970-980-1616
Follow Up Visit/Healing Check. At your pre-op consult, a post-op visit will be made within two
weeks following your child’s procedure. This appointment is for Dr. Doll to verify that the soft
tissue is healing and to see that the restored teeth are cleansed properly to ensure that your dental
surgery was a one time event in your child’s life.
Revision 1/1/2010
Dental Sugery Instructions to Parents-1
Recovery from General Anesthesia and Dental Surgery
Page 2 of 3
MISCHELLE DOLL, D.D.S
1819 61st Avenue, Suite #101 Greeley, CO 80634 ~ Phone: (970) 506-1339 ~ Fax: (970) 339-8500
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Revision 1/1/2010
Dental Sugery Instructions to Parents-1
Recovery from General Anesthesia and Dental Surgery
Page 3 of 3