Home » Post-Procedure Instructions
  • Patient Treatment After Care

    Patient Care after Numbing (Local Anesthetic)

    • The sensation of being numb after the appointment is typically the most challenging aspect for a child to understand.
    • It may take 1- 2 hours for the numbness to wear off.
    • Recommend a softer diet that does not require much chewing.
    • Monitor your child closely so that he/she does not bite or chew their tongue, cheek, or lips.  If the area becomes injured, it will appear swollen and have a white/yellow coating similar to an “infection”.  This is not the result of an infection and does not require antibiotic therapy.  It is recommended that you apply Vaseline/ Aquaphor to the area to allow for healing to take place which will occur within 7- 10 days.
    • Recommend that your child not rub, scratch or pinch their face while numbness is present as they will surely injure their skin. They may say “it itches” or “hurts”, they are referring to the numb sensation and need to be assured that the area is “asleep” and will “wake-up” in a little while.

    Patient Care after Nitrous Oxide (N2O2)

    • Patient’s behavior post nitrous oxide sedation may be enhanced due to sensations of the numbing agent and/ or the new dental procedure that their body is adapting to ie. crown, restoration, appliance.
    • Recommend patient receive 100% Oxygen administration for 3-5 min once the procedure is completed for the body to return to normal state.
    • Occasionally headache and slight disorientation may occur following treatment if 100% oxygen is not administered for 3-5 minutes.
    • Recommend you assist your child to restroom and car as they reorient themselves.

     

    Patient Care after Extraction

    • Your child will be numb so please follow care instructions above. 
    • Recommend gauze pressure for approximately 20 min after arriving home or until the bleeding has stopped. Check the area to confirm the bleeding has stopped.  The gauze can be removed at this time and discarded if no bleeding.  If bleeding is present, apply new gauze with firm/ biting pressure for approximately 15 minutes and continue this process until bleeding has stopped.  If bleeding/ oozing has not stopped by early evening, contact the office.  
    • Remind your child to swallow as they are anesthetized and do not realize the saliva collecting has not been swallowed. 
    • NO STRAWS USE, SIPPY CUPS, CARBONATED DRINKS, EXCESSIVE ACTIVITY, RINSING, SPTITTING OR TOOTH BRUSHING FOR TODAY ONLY. 
    • The day after surgery, the mouth may be rinsed with warm salt water and normal brushing may resume. The surgical areas will be healing and may be sensitive so wiping the adjacent tooth surfaces may be indicated.  Swelling, stiffness and slight bruising marks are normal signs of healing and can be expected to appear in some cases.

         Dietary:

    • Recommend soft food diet which includes the following: mashed potatoes, ice cream, eggs, pasta, pudding, soups, or whatever your child will tolerate.  Avoid crunchy foods such as chips as they can get lodged into the extraction site until the site has properly healed (typically 48-72 hours).

         Activity:

    • Do not allow your child to participate in strenuous activity for the first 24 hours as this may increase bleeding from the extraction site.

         Pain:

    • Recommend Motrin (Ibuprofen) or Tylenol as needed and directed for post-surgical discomfort. If symptoms persists for 24 hours and your child experiences severe pain, swelling, fever or excessive bleeding, please call the office immediately.

      

    Patient Care for Stainless Steel Crown, Zirconia Crown & Space Maintainer 

    • Your child will be numb so please follow care instructions above. 
    • RECOMMEND LIMITING EXPOSURE TO STICKY CANDIES/FOODS, CHEWING GUM, OR HARD CANDIES TO PREVENT ANY DAMAGE TO THE CROWN OR SPACE MAINTAINER.
    • It can be common for gum tissue around the crown and/or band to be red and/or irritated for a few days after treatment however with good oral home care the area should heal.
    • It may take a few days for your child to adapt to the crown and/or space maintainer, so please monitor them. Do not let them pull or pick at the crown or space maintainer as continuous pressure and force can pull it off.
    • If the crown or space maintainer comes off, please keep the crown or spacer/ appliance and contact the office immediately.

         Dietary:

    • Recommend a softer diet they can tolerate on the day of treatment and then resume as normal.

         Pain:

    • Your child may complain of discomfort when biting, chewing, applying pressure after the crown and/or space maintainer has been placed. Recommend Tylenol or Motrin as needed.  If medication is required for more than 48 hours consistently or symptoms persist, please call the office immediately.

     

    Patient Care after Restorations (Fillings)

    • Your child will be numb so please follow care instructions above.  
    • RECOMMEND LIMITING EXPOSURE TO STICKY CANDIES/FOODS, CHEWING GUM, OR HARD CANDIES TO PREVENT ANY DAMAGE TO THE RESTORATION.
    • The composite material used to restore your child’s tooth to health today takes about 12 hours to fully set or harden, therefore modify his/her diet to what they tolerate for the rest of the day.
    • Recommend brushing and flossing as normal.
    • It is common for larger restorations to induce some temperature sensitivity. If your child is complaining of sensitivity for more than 1 week, please call our office.
    • If the restoration feels “high” and does not allow the other teeth to close together, if may adjust itself in a day. If it continues to touch prematurely, it will need to be adjusted in the office. Please call the office.

         Dietary: 

    • Recommend a softer diet they can tolerate on the day of treatment and then resume as normal. Recommend smaller bite sizes for chewy types of foods as your child is adjusting to the new restoration.

         Pain:

    • Your child may complain of discomfort when biting, chewing, or applying pressure after the restoration has been placed. Administer Tylenol or Motrin as needed. If medication is required for more than 24 hours consistently or your child experiences severe pain, swelling or fever, please contact our office.

     

    Patient Care after Sealants

    •  It is common for your child to have some discomfort when biting down after the sealants have been placed due to the nature of the application. Within a few days, the sealant material is expected wear down to your child’s natural bite and the discomfort should stop.
    • RECOMMEND LIMITING EXPOSURE TO STICKY CANDIES/FOODS, CHEWING GUM, OR HARD CANDIES TO PREVENT ANY DAMAGE TO THE SEALANTS.

     

    RECOMMENDED FOOD LIMITATIONS:

    • Sticky and Chewy: gum, caramels, Mike and Ikes, Laffy taffy, Milk Duds, licorice, Gummy Bears, jelly beans, beef jerky, Starbursts, Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Pops, caramel apples, Dots, Sio-Pokes, Hot Tamales, Now & Later, etc.
    • Hard and Crunchy: nuts, popcorn, ice, Sweet Tarts, Salted Nut Rolls, Peanut M &M’s, Almond Joy, Heath Bars, Grape Nuts, suckers, hard candies, Jolly Ranchers, lemon drops, jaw breakers, corn on the cob must be cut off cob, apples and carrots need to be sliced thin.
  • Hygiene After Care

    Patient Care after Hygiene Visit

    • A thorough teeth cleaning may produce some gum bleeding and swelling and may cause discomfort of the teeth and gums. This is not due to a “rough cleaning”, but due to tender and inflamed gums which results from substandard oral home care.
    • If your child experiences more bleeding and discomfort than normal after his/her cleaning visit, we recommend the following for 2 to 3 days:
      • Warm salt water rinses 2 times a day (1/4 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water)
      • Use Children’s Motrin or Tylenol as directed for discomfort.
    • Recommend assisting your child with oral home care (brushing 2 x/day, nightly flossing, and healthy diets) to reduce discomfort at hygiene visits and prevent decay.
    • Please contact our office if any questions or assistance is needed.
  • Trauma After Care

    Patient care after trauma – First 24 hours

         Initial Healing:

    • The gingival (gum) tissue may appear dark and bruise- like in color which is normal.  Typically, the healing process will “LOOK” worse even though your child will feel better.
    • Recommend cleansing the tooth surfaces as best you can with either gentle wiping with a clean cloth or gentle brushing with no toothpaste.  The objective here is to limit the bacteria and plaque buildup on the teeth to promote efficient and effective healing.
    • If gingival (gum) tissue is red and raised or a blister/ pimple appears, contact our office immediately to be seen.
    • If an unknown fever develops or any other unknown symptoms develop, contact our office immediately.
    • If the tooth changes color, it means internal bleeding is occurring.  This outcome may result with the tooth recovering and remaining healthy.

         Dietary:

    • Recommend a soft diet that hydrates and nourishes your child.  Slowly introduce foods that your child can tolerate and reduce the portion size for ease during chewing.
    • Initially avoid straws, sippy cups, pacifiers, and any cups requiring the lips to create the vacuum seal to suck.  This movement can release clots and may require muscles movements from injured areas which could create more discomfort.

         Pain:

    • Recommend Ibuprofen and Tylenol as directed for discomfort.
    • Recommend a cold compress to the swollen areas or Popsicle/ wrapped Ice cube.

    Please do not hesitate to call the office if there are any questions!