POST-OP CARE

Care of the Mouth After Local Anesthetic

Closely monitor your child for the next 2 hours after the procedure.
Keep your child on a soft or liquid diet until the local anesthesia has completely worn off.
If the procedure was performed on the lower jaw, your child’s tongue, teeth, lip, and the surrounding area may experience numbness or loss of sensation.
If the procedure was done on the upper jaw, the teeth, lip, and surrounding tissue may also feel numb or unresponsive.
Avoid hot or cold foods and drinks that may irritate the treated area.
Encourage your child to avoid biting or chewing on the treated side.
If you notice any swelling or discomfort, apply a cold compress to the affected area.
Encourage your child to rinse their mouth with warm salt water to help reduce any swelling or discomfort.
Contact the dental office if you notice any signs of infection or severe pain.

Caring for Your Mouth After Trauma

Keep the traumatized area as clean as possible to promote healing. A soft washcloth can be useful for this purpose.
Keep an eye out for darkening of traumatized teeth as it could be a sign of a dying nerve. This requires immediate attention from a dentist.
If swelling persists for more than 48 hours, it is important to seek dental care as soon as possible. Apply ice during the first 24 hours to reduce swelling.
Watch out for signs of infection, such as gum boils, and contact the dental office if any are observed. Prompt treatment is necessary to prevent further complications.
Stick to a soft diet for two to three days after the trauma or until the patient can comfortably eat normally again.
Avoid foods that are extremely hot or cold as they can aggravate the injury and cause pain.
If the dentist prescribes antibiotics or pain medicine, follow the instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and pain relief.
If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact the dental office for assistance.

Caring for Your Mouth After Extractions

Avoid actions that could injure the lips, tongue, or cheek when they are numb or asleep (scratching, chewing, sucking, rubbing)
Closely monitor the child to prevent injury
Avoid rinsing the mouth for several hours
Limit excessive spitting
Avoid carbonated drinks (Coke, Sprite, etc.) for the rest of the day
Do not drink through a straw
Keep fingers and tongue away from the extraction area to ensure proper healing

Caring for Sealants

Sealants are an effective way to prevent tooth decay by creating a thin barrier over the grooves and fissures in teeth that are prone to collecting food and plaque. However, it’s important to note that sealants only cover the biting surface of teeth and not the sides or areas between teeth. Thus, maintaining good oral hygiene practices and a healthy diet are still necessary for preventing decay in these areas. To ensure the longevity of sealants, parents should advise their children to avoid hard candy and ice that could potentially crack or damage the sealant. Additionally, regular dental check-ups are recommended to assess the condition of the sealants. The American Dental Association recognizes the importance of sealants as a part of a comprehensive cavity prevention program, which also includes the use of fluoride, daily brushing and flossing, and limiting sugary foods. By following these practices, decay can be significantly reduced or eliminated.

Oral Discomfort After a Cleaning

After a thorough dental cleaning, it is common to experience some degree of bleeding, swelling, tenderness or discomfort. These symptoms are usually caused by inflamed and tender gums due to poor oral hygiene rather than a rough cleaning. To alleviate discomfort and promote healing, we recommend the following measures for 2-3 days after the cleaning: rinsing the mouth with warm salt water 2-3 times per day by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water, and using Children’s Tylenol, Advil or Motrin as directed for pain relief. If the discomfort persists for more than 7 days or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office for further assistance.