Following a surgical procedure, most children need a day or so to fully recover. It is important to follow any post-op instructions provided by our pediatric dentists to allow the surgical site to heal and reduce the risk of further injury or infection. On the day of treatment, Dr. Bhaumik and Dr. John will provide precise instructions for your child’s specific treatment. If you would like to prepare in advance, though, we recommend the following guidelines:
Care of the Mouth after Local Anesthetic
- For lower jaw procedures, our dentists will numb the teeth, lip, tongue, and surrounding tissue.
- For upper jaw procedures, we will numb the upper jaw, lip, and teeth.
- Children who do not understand the full effects of anesthesia may play with their lips, tongue, and cheeks, which can result in bites, scratches, cuts, and puncture wounds.
- For approximately two hours after the procedure, monitor young children to ensure they do not injure the numbed areas of their mouths. We recommend a liquid diet until the anesthesia wears off.
Please contact our office with any questions.
Care of the Mouth after Trauma
- Keep the affected area clean but avoid alcohol rinses, which produce a stinging sensation.
- Darkening traumatized teeth can be an indication of dying tooth nerves.
- Please contact our office is swelling re-occurs. Apply ice for the first 24 hours to reduce swelling to a minimum.
- Keep an eye out for signs of infection, such as gum boils, and notify our office if any occur. We will see your child as soon as possible.
- Keep your child on a soft diet for a few days or until they once again feel comfortable eating firm foods.
- Avoid hot, cold, and sweet food.
- Have your child take any antibiotics or pain medication as directed by our dentists.
You are welcome to contact Stonebrook Pediatric Dentistry today with any questions.
Care of the Mouth after Extractions
- While the extraction site is numb, patients should not poke, chew, scratch, or suck on their lips, cheeks, or gums. Doing so can result in painful injuries.
- Avoid rinsing and spitting excessively for several hours.
- Do not drink carbonated beverages the first day or drink through a straw.
- Refrain from touching the extraction site with fingers or tongue.
- Avoid strenuous activity for several hours after the procedure.
Some bleeding is normal. Keep gauze or a tea bag firmly on the extracted site for 15 minutes. Repeat if necessary. Your child shout eat a soft food diet for a few days until they feel comfortable eating solid food again.
If your child experience discomfort, they can take Children’s Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed.
Please give us a call if you have any questions or concerns.
Care of Sealants
Dental sealants form a thin, protective seal over the grooves and pits to prevent the development of tooth decay. When paired with routine oral care, this can significantly reduce the risk of cavities.
After receiving dental sealants, your child should avoid chewing ice and hard candy to protect the sealants from fracture. During biannual dental checkups, our dentists will assess the sealants to ensure they are still in place. To maximize the effectiveness of dental sealants, create a total prevention plan that includes fluoride treatments, routine dental care, at-home care, and a healthy diet.
