Nothing to eat or drink for eight hours prior to anesthesia.

Do not chew gum, mints, candy prior to anesthesia. Failure to fast adequately may delay, or cancel the procedure.


A responsible adult must accompany a patient home as well as convey any post operative instructions from the doctors to the patient. We recommend two responsible adults accompany a small child home, this allows one adult to focus on driving while the other cares for the child.

Let the doctor’s office know if you’re feeling under the weather, noticing any symptoms of illness, sore throat, fever, cold, flu like symptoms, before your scheduled visit.

Tell your doctor about all medications you currently take prior to your scheduled appointment. You may need to quit taking some medications on the morning of general anesthesia.

If you’re pregnant or actively trying to become pregnant tell your doctor.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing that can be rolled back at the wrists and ankles for proper monitor and IV placement.

If you typically wear contact lenses bring glasses instead. During anesthesia only the patient is allowed in the operatory. Parents or guardians should wait in the office lobby. Most patients are nervous about their scheduled dental anesthesia. It is normal for children to be upset and uncooperative when entering the operatory. The anesthesia and dental staff are well-trained to ensure a prompt and safe induction.

Patients will likely receive medication for nausea, pain, and swelling. It is crucial you inform the anesthesia team of any allergies caused by medication.


We encourage you to bring a warm blanket for the car ride home. Pediatric patients may have a nasal intubation, which is a breathing tube passed through one side of the nose into the back of the throat. This might lead to a nose bleed and sore throat, which are normal side effects.

Please do not take pictures or video footage while in the dental office.


All patients wake from anesthesia differently. Children commonly wake from anesthesia very upset and confused. This is normal, although very frustrating. Try to be calm and patient. Most importantly, children during this stage may need to be held to avoid falls.


Common side effects from anesthesia may be dizziness, memory loss, shivering, altered mood, sore throat, coughing, snoring, nose bleed, and nausea.

Sore throat and coughing are caused by the breathing tube. They typically are gone within one or two days. Snoring can happen due to the patient going into a restful sleep in recovery. The anesthesia provider may lift a patient’s chin to maximize deep breaths.

Nose bleeds can happen after anesthesia with a nasal breathing tube. Is is normal for a child to experience a little bleeding from their nose while in recovery. Holding light pressure on the nostrils will lessen the bleeding and help it to resolve more quickly.

Some patients can also have nausea or vomiting. Anti-nausea medications are given during the procedure to prevent feeling nauseous while recovering. When introducing food back into the diet after anesthesia, it is good to start with liquids first to see how they are tolerated. If there is no nausea, the patient should be fine to advance to softer foods and then more solid foods. Patients may need to spend a little more time in the recovery room before being released if nausea is a concern. 


For pain, Tylenol (acetaminophen) can be given as soon as you feel is necessary. The anesthesiologist most likely will give Toradol (ketorolac). This is similar to Motrin (ibuprofen). If Toradol was given, DO NOT give Motrin for four hours after you leave the dental office.