Post-Op Instructions
How to Care for Your Child Following Their Dental Appointment
Local Anesthetic
Often, children do not understand the effects of local anesthesia, and may chew, scratch, suck, or play with the numb lip, tongue, or cheek. These actions can cause minor irritations or they can be severe enough to cause swelling and abrasions to the tissue.
Some children become very upset (even crying hysterically) and complain of excruciating pain when they realize their mouth feels “different.” Please do not be alarmed! Many children are unfamiliar with this numb sensation and associate this with pain. Reassure your child that the “funny feeling” will go away in approximately 2 hours.
If the procedure was in the lower jaw the tongue, teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will be numb or asleep.
If the procedure was in the upper jaw the teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will be numb or asleep.
Monitor your child closely for approximately 2-3 hours following the appointment. It is often wise to keep your child on a liquid or soft diet until the anesthetic has worn off. The car ride home is often a high-risk time for injures.
White Filling
Your child may resume normal, healthy diet habits after the numbness wears off. Mild sensitivity to ‘cold’ food or drinks may persist for a week or so and should gradually decrease.
You may notice mild irritation around the gums of the tooth which received the treatment. This will likely heal within a few days with good oral hygiene, including flossing daily.
Stainless Steel Crown / White Crown / “Cap”
After your child has received a crown/”cap”, it is normal if the gum tissue surrounding the tooth may appear to be bleeding. When preparing your child’s tooth for a crown, it is necessary to fit the crown closely to the gum tissue, resulting in some bleeding/bruising of the tissue.
Following placement of the crowns some parents will notice a purple or gray color around the gums; this is also normal and will subside.
Please do not allow your child to eat sticky candy (I.E. Starburst, Tootsie Rolls, Sour Patch Kids, gummies, and/or gum) as this may dislodge your child’s crown. This applies for as long as the crown is in your child’s mouth.
Avoid flossing on the day treatment. Start flossing around the crown the day after the treatment was done.
If your child’s crown does come off please save the crown and call the office so it may be re-cemented.
Extractions
Do not let them scratch, chew, suck, or rub the lips, tongue, or cheek while they feel numb or asleep. The child should be watched closely so he/she does not injure his/her lip, tongue, or cheek before the anesthesia wears off.
Do not rinse the mouth for several hours. Do not spit excessively. Do not drink through a straw. Do not drink a carbonated beverage (Coke, Sprite, etc.) for the remainder of the day.
Keep fingers and tongue away from the extraction area.
Maintain a soft diet for a day or two, or until the child feels comfortable eating normally again.
Avoid strenuous exercise or physical activity for several hours after the extraction.
Bleeding – Some bleeding is to be expected. If unusual or sustained bleeding occurs, place cotton gauze firmly over the extraction area and bite down or hold in place for fifteen minutes. This can also be accomplished with a tea bag. Repeat if necessary.
Pain – For discomfort, use Children’s Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed for the age of the child.
Sealants
By forming a thin covering over the pits and fissures, sealants keep out plaque and food, thus decreasing the risk of decay. Since, the covering is only over the biting surface of the tooth, areas on the side and between teeth cannot be coated with the sealant. Good oral hygiene and nutrition are still very important in preventing decay next to these sealants or in areas unable to be covered.
Your child should refrain from eating ice or hard candy, which tend to fracture the sealant. Regular dental appointments are recommended in order for your child’s dentist to be certain the sealants remain in place.
The American Dental Association recognizes that sealants can play an important role in the prevention of tooth decay. When properly applied and maintained, they can successfully protect the chewing surfaces of your child’s teeth. A total prevention program includes regular visits to the dentist, the use of fluoride, daily brushing and flossing, and limiting the number of times sugar-rich foods are eaten. If these measures are followed and sealants are used on the child’s teeth, the risk of decay can be reduced or may even be eliminated!
Oral Sedation
Your child will be drowsy and will need to be monitored very closely by an adult. Keep your child away from areas of potential harm.
If your child wants to sleep, place them propped up on their side with their chin up.
Wake your child every 30 minutes and encourage them to have something to drink in order to prevent dehydration. At first it is best to give your child sips of clear liquids to prevent nausea. The first meal should be light and easily digestible. Generally, ‘the more water, the better’ today.
If your child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head to the side to insure that they do not inhale the vomit to avoid a possibly life-threatening situation.
Irritability is very common following sedation. It is normal to have residual effects of the sedation medication in your child’s system for up-to 24 hours later.
Please call our office with any questions or concerns that you might have. No question is too big or too small.
You may reach our office during business hours (8am – 5pm, Monday-Thursday): (281) 608-7535; or for after hours concerns, please call our emergency line and leave a message: (281) 608-7535, Option 2