Sedation Safety, Preparation & Recovery in Christiansburg, VA

• Health review: we review your child's medical history, medicines, allergies and any past experience with sedation or anesthesia.
• Tell us about illness: if your child has a fever, cough or congestion in the days before the visit, call us. It may be safer to reschedule.
• Follow eating and drinking instructions exactly: for oral or IV sedation, children must stop eating and drinking at set times beforehand. Common guidelines allow clear liquids until 2 hours before, breast milk until 4 hours before and formula, milk or a light meal until 6 hours before, but always follow the specific instructions we give you.
• Dress comfortably: loose clothing with short sleeves, and no nail polish.
• Plan the trip: an adult must stay at the office and take your child home, and a second adult in the car is recommended for young children in car seats.

We follow the sedation guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Depending on the type of sedation, that includes:

• Checking your child's breathing, heart rate and oxygen level throughout the procedure.
• Trained team members dedicated to watching your child during treatment.
• Emergency equipment and medicines on hand, as required for sedation in a dental office.

With nitrous oxide, children stay awake and the effects end minutes after the mask comes off. Deeper sedation involves closer monitoring and a longer recovery.

After oral or IV sedation, your child rests while our team watches them until they are awake enough to go home. At home:

• Keep your child with an adult for the rest of the day. They may be sleepy, wobbly or fussy.
• Start with clear liquids, then move to soft foods as your child feels ready.
• Watch for numb lips and cheeks so your child does not bite them.
• Plan a quiet day with no school, sports or playground climbing.

Call us at (540) 394-3300 if your child has repeated vomiting, a fever, bleeding that will not stop or anything that worries you. If your child has trouble breathing or is very hard to wake, call 911. To compare options, see our guide to types of sedation for kids.

• What type of sedation is planned, and why is it right for my child?
• Exactly when should my child stop eating and drinking?
• Should my child take their usual medicines that morning?
• How long will treatment and recovery take?
• Who will be monitoring my child during the procedure?
• What should I watch for at home, and who do I call with questions?

Writing down the answers, or asking us to put them in writing, makes the day less stressful for you and your child.

Children with asthma, heart conditions, developmental differences or other medical needs can often receive sedation safely with extra planning. We may ask for information from your child's pediatrician or other doctors, adjust the type of sedation and schedule the visit at a time of day that suits your child. Let us know about any equipment or routines that help your child feel calm.

Blacksburg families are about 15 minutes from our office along US-460. For oral or IV sedation, plan to arrive a little early so there is time to review your child's health and the eating and drinking instructions, and set aside the rest of the day for rest at home.

From Radford, our office is about 20 minutes away, and families from Dublin and Pulaski usually drive 25 to 35 minutes on I-81. For early morning sedation appointments, follow the fasting instructions carefully even if you leave home early, and bring a favorite blanket or toy for the ride.

Families from Roanoke City and Roanoke County drive about 40 to 50 minutes up I-81 to see us. On the drive home after oral or IV sedation, keep your child in their car seat with their head supported, and have a second adult sit beside young children to watch their breathing.