CHILDREN RESPOND to sedation in very individual ways, but the following guidelines should help you to know what to expect at home.

Going Home:

Your child may not be able to walk well; he or she may be unsteady. We suggest that you hold your child’s hand or carry them to the car.

Your child must be secured in a car safety seat, and older children must be secured with a seat belt during transportation.

Activities:

Your child may take a long nap. In fact, he/she may want to sleep for three to eight hours and may be irritable for up to 24 hours following sedation. Your child should sleep on his/her side (not on back or stomach) and you should be able to easily awaken him/her.

Your child may remain unsteady for some time when walking or crawling and will therefore need support to protect from injury. An adult should remain with your child until he/she has returned to a normal state of alertness and coordination.

Your child should not engage in any potentially dangerous activities, such as riding a bike, playing outside, handling sharp objects, working with tools or climbing trees until he/she has returned to a normal state of alertness and coordination.

We advise that you keep your child home from school or daycare on the day of sedation and treatment, and possibly the next day as well, if your child appears drowsy or still unsteady when walking. Normally your child will return to full alertness and coordination within 24 hours.

Eating and Drinking:

Begin with water, clear juices, gelatin or popsicles. If your child does not vomit within 30 minutes of ingesting the above mentioned food/drink, you may continue with solid foods.

Reasons to call the Doctor:

You are unable to arouse your child

Your child is unable to eat or drink

Your child experiences excessive vomiting or pain

Your child develops a rash

Ellie Sakhi, DDS, MS (952) 920-8234