If your child will be receiving sedation, especially hospital sedation during their visit with our dentist, it is important that you be aware of what to expect and what you need to do during your child’s recovery. Dr. Clint Rau and our team will talk with you about your child’s aftercare. But we also provide hospital sedation post-operative instructions in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Please take some time to review them before your child’s appointment. If you have questions or concerns at any time, please call Young Smiles at 920-652-1100.
What to expect within the first few hours.
Your child will respond after surgery as if they are sick. They will have a sore throat, at times with a cough. They may be a bit disoriented due to medications given during the surgery. They often cry. A slight fever is normal. Nausea and vomiting are also normal. Discomfort around the teeth is normal. They may be sore or numb. A bloody nose is normal. Children are often tired after surgery and need rest.
What you can do:
- Diet. Start slowly. Your child may not be very hungry for the next 24 hours. For the first few
- Nausea/vomiting. Nausea and vomiting after general anesthesia is not unusual. Mild nausea or vomiting is ok. If there is repeated or prolonged vomiting for several hours please contact us.
- Pain or discomfort. Your child may have mild to moderate pain. Your child has already
- Fever. It is not unusual for your child to run a slight fever after general anesthesia. However, if your child has a fever of above 101 degrees Fahrenheit and you cannot bring it down with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, you need to seek care from your pediatrician.
- Cleaning the teeth. Prevention of problems is the key. You must clean the teeth with a toothbrush and floss starting today. It is normal to have some redness around crowns or
- Activity. NO SCHOOL TOMORROW! Going to school the day after tomorrow is fine. Your child may want to sleep a lot over the next 24 hours. That is normal. Your child should not be allowed to play actively without direct supervision for the next 24-48 hours. The medications used during surgery will affect your child’s judgment. Use wisdom in the choice of activities. A few activities to avoid would be swimming, video games, biking (anything with wheels), climbing, etc.
- Follow up appointment. You will need an appointment to have the dentist check your child’s bite and guide you in the healing process. We will also be able to better direct you should your child need other care. Halie or Daren, the Hospital Coordinator, will follow up with you within the week and at that point will schedule the appointment with you. You may also call 920-652-1100 to make the appointment.
- Contact information. If you become concerned about something during your child’s recovery period, you may contact Dr. Rau by calling or texting 920-664-2424. You may also, call the clinic at 920-652-1100 to get an earlier follow-up appointment.
- Follow up appointment. If you feel your child is having an emergency, seek care in a nearby emergency room.
We are thankful to have been able to help your child. We hope that we have helped to make a change in the way you approach dental health. Please continue to work toward good home care and an appropriate diet to help your child stay healthy!
