Treatment under general anaesthetic

Some children need their dental treatment under general anaesthetic. This means they will be asleep (unconscious) during the treatment, and will not feel any pain.

They might need general anaesthetic because of the type of treatment they are having, or if they cannot cope with the treatment when they are awake.

If your child has a general anaesthetic, there are instructions you need to follow to care for them and help them recover.

Planning dental treatment

The dentist might not be able to tell you exactly what treatment is needed. This is because they might only know this once your child is asleep and they can check the decay.

As there are risks when having a general anaesthetic, the dentist will make sure they treat all the dental decay. This is so there is less chance your child will need general anaesthetic for dental treatment in the future.

The risks of a general anaesthetic will be explained to you by a dentist. You will be able to speak with the anaesthetist and ask any questions you have on the day of the treatment.

Talking to your child about their treatment

Children who understand what is going to happen often feel calmer and more confident about their treatment.

Kings College London have made a video for children, about dental treatment under general anaesthetic. It follows a child called Scott during his treatment.

Watch this video a week before treatment, and again the night before. Choose a time when it is quiet, and you have 15 minutes.

If you have any questions about your child’s treatment, please contact the dental team.

The day of your child’s treatment

A team of dentists, anaesthetists and nurses will be looking after your child on the day of their treatment.

You can stay with your child until they are asleep, and a nurse will get you when your child starts to wake up.

Read about the different treatments for tooth decay.

After having a general anaesthetic

Your child can leave the hospital when they have recovered from the general anaesthetic.

They should rest for the remainder of the day.

Contact the hospital dental team if: 

• you have any questions or concerns
• your child has persistent bleeding, severe swelling or severe pain

Out of hours and at weekends call NHS 111, or go to your nearest emergency department (A&E).

Eating and drinking after general anaesthetic

Your child can eat and drink as soon as they feel able to.

Soft and cold food is more comfortable for the first few days after treatment. For example, yoghurt, smoothies, mashed banana, scrambled egg, and cool soup.

Do not give your child hot food, as it can cause the mouth to bleed.

Having a numb mouth

If your child has been given local anaesthetic to numb the area, be careful that they do not chew the inside of their cheek or bite their lip while it is numb.

If your child has had teeth removed (extracted)

Your child's teeth should be brushed at bedtime on the day of the extractions. Take care to avoid any treatment areas, or blood clots.

Do not let your child rinse their mouth for 24 hours after treatment, even after brushing. This can cause bleeding.

If their mouth does bleed, put pressure on the area by placing a tightly rolled-up damp cotton gauze directly onto the hole, and ask your child to bite hard for at least 10 minutes.

If this does not control the bleeding, call the hospital.

Read information on looking after your child’s mouth after having teeth removed.

The day after treatment

A warm, salt mouthwash can be used the day after surgery to rinse their mouth.

To make this:

• mix 1 level teaspoon of salt in a glass of hot water
• let it to cool down until warm

Use this as a mouthwash 3 times a day, for 5 days.

Pain

If your child has pain after treatment, use their regular painkillers. A suitable painkiller is sugar-free paracetamol.

Follow the instructions on the packet carefully, and make sure they do not take more than the recommended amount (dose).