The treatment of children requires a more specific attitude and setting of the medical person. This is even more true when it comes to dental treatment for children. Children often feel very anxious about the dentist's office and are not inclined to cooperate with the children's dentist, especially when it comes to longer and more complex manipulations. In such cases it can be applied dental treatment of children under general anesthesia.
At Specialized edental clinic Bushkalova (Megadent § MDC Aesthetics) we have a state-of-the-art and fully equipped operating room, in which dental treatment of children can be performed under full anesthesia. When he wakes up, the child will not remember anything and the procedure will have passed without experiencing pain and worry.
A few quick facts about pediatric dentistry under general anesthesia:
- A pediatric dentist will only recommend general anesthesia if it is really necessary.
- The child will be in a medicated sleep the entire time and will not remember anything.
- A certain eating and drinking regime must be followed before the administration of general anesthesia.
- After completing the dental procedure and coming out of full anesthesia, the child must stay for some time in the clinic until the effect of the anesthesia wears off. Only then will it be safe for him to go home.
Preliminary preparation for general anesthesia in children
If anesthesia is necessary, there are some important rules for eating and drinking that must be followed. This regime begins to be observed one day before the introduction of full anesthesia and depends on the age of the child.
For babies under 12 months
The baby's last feeding must have been no more than 6 hours before the dental procedure if it is a formula-fed baby and no more than 4 hours before the procedure if the baby is breastfed.
For all children over 1 year
The evening before the procedure after midnight no solid food or opaque liquids should be taken. This includes milk, natural juices and carbonated drinks. Up to 2 hours before the introduction of the full anesthetic, only water can be drunk without overdoing it. On the day of surgery, a few sips of water are sufficient. If the child is taking any medications, you should consult with the treating dentist whether he can take them on the day of the procedure.
Administration of anesthesia
Upon arrival at the dental clinic, the child's weight and vital signs will be taken, and the parent or legal guardian must sign a consent form.
The anesthesiologist decides what narcotic medicine the child will receive, based on medical information, age, weight, etc. If you wish, you can stay while the sleeping medicine is administered. After the child is taken to the equipped operating room a small mask will be placed over the nose and mouth. This mask delivers medication that will help him relax and put him to sleep. When the anesthesia begins to work, intubation is started - placing a small tube in the trachea through which respiratory and anesthetic gases pass. Through intubation, the airways are completely protected from falling saliva and foreign bodies during work.
After the child is asleep it starts intravenous sedation. Through it, the drug is administered, which will keep him in a medicated sleep during the operation. When the anesthetic has taken full effect it is time to take the parent to the waiting room. The child's vital signs - heart rate, blood pressure, etc. are closely monitored throughout the procedure.
How to calm the child
For many parents, the entire procedure of instilling general anesthesia can be quite stressful. Children can sense when their parents are concerned, so you should try to be as calm and encouraging as possible. Proven calming practices are:
- Get a favorite object or toy for the child to hold at all times.
- You can hold the child's hand and stroke their hair and face to encourage them and remind them that you are there.
- You can whisper, speak or sing. A parent's voice soothes children.
Despite the presence of a parent, the operating theater is an anxious place for a child, so you should not worry if he becomes upset despite your presence. The safety of the child is the doctors' concern, so if you are asked to leave the operating room, you should do so quickly and quietly.
Coming out of anesthesia
When the dental procedures are complete, the child will be taken to the recovery room where their vital signs will continue to be monitored. The effect of anesthesia can last for several hours.
The nose, mouth and throat may remain numb for 30-45 minutes after coming out of anesthesia, and the throat may be sore for 1-2 days. In the first minutes, it is normal for the child to feel dizzy or nauseous. In the first few hours, after coming out of anesthesia, he should eat only soft foods.
The feeling of tiredness caused by the general anesthesia can last until the next day. Therefore, it is very important that after you get home, the child has minimal activity for the rest of the day. The next day things should gradually return to normal and the child should return to his normal routine. However, if there is a fever, severe bleeding gums, severe pain, vomiting or dizziness for more than 24 hours after dental surgery, you should call the treating dentist immediately.
