Post-operatives instructions

PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT (610) 694-0711 IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS RELATING TO YOUR CHILD'S TREATMENT

Care of the Mouth after Local Anesthetic

Please monitor your child closely for approximately two hours following the procedure.   It is often wise to keep your child on a liquid or soft diet until the anesthetic has worn off.

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. Please be very careful that your child does not bite at his/her cheek or pick at this area. Please do not hesitate to call the office if there are any questions.

Extraction Post-op Instructions

  • The gauze needs to stay in place with biting pressure for 20 minutes. This will reduce the amount of bleeding.
  • Give your child the appropriate dose of children's Tylenol, Motrin or Advil when you take the gauze out (NO aspirin). Your child should only need this for approximately 12 to 24 hours.
  • If pain persists beyond 48 hours, please call our office.
  • Your child should eat only soft, bland food for the first couple days, nothing sharp, crunchy or too hot or cold because the area may be a sensitive.
  • Encourage plenty of liquids (water, soups, juices, etc.). Let your child determine when a regular diet can be reintroduced.
  • No spitting or drinking through a straw or "sippy" cup. The force can start the bleeding again.
  • A clean mouth heals faster. Gentle brushing around the extraction site can be started immediately along with warm salt water rinses (1/4 teaspoon to a glass of water) to aid with any discomfort.
  • Activity may need to be limited. Sometimes a nap is a good idea.
  • Swelling after an extraction is not uncommon and should not cause alarm. If this occurs, apply an ice pack for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off as needed in the 24 hours following tooth removal.
  • Your child's cheek, lip and tongue will be numb for approximately 1-2 hours. Please be very careful that your child does not bite at his/her cheek or pick at this area. As this area "wakes up" it may feel funny. A self-inflicted bite injury is the most common post-op complication. Please keep on eye on your child!
  • If you have any questions or should any complications arise, please call the office.

Care of Sealants

Your child should refrain from eating ice or hard candy.  This tends to fracture the sealant.  Normal retention of a sealant is up to four years. 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.

Oral Discomfort after a Cleaning

A thorough cleaning unavoidably produces some bleeding and swelling and may cause some tenderness or discomfort.  This is not due to a "rough cleaning", but to tender and inflamed gums from insufficient oral hygiene.  We recommend the following for 2-3 days after cleaning was performed:

  • A warm salt water rinse 2 - 3 times per day (1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water).

  • For discomfort use Children's Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed for the age of the child.

PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT (610) 694-0711 IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS RELATING TO YOUR CHILD'S TREATMENT