After Treatment Care

It is normal for your child to have mild stomach irritation after a cleaning. Children tend to swallow small amounts of fluoride during treatment, which may also result in diarrhea and/or vomiting. If this is the case, avoid heavy food or excessive fluid intake. A glass of milk may help calm the effects of the fluoride.

Your child’s lip, gums and cheeks will most likely be numb for up to an hour after the procedure. Because children don’t fully understand the effects of anesthesia, it is important that your child does not chew or poke their lips, gums or cheeks during this time. They may injure themselves if not monitored closely.

Over the counter medications such as Tylenol, Motrin or Advil can be used to help with any pain your child might be experiencing. However, please contact our office if the pain lasts longer than 24 to 48 hours after treatment.

Swelling is a typical reaction after a filling, crown or other restoration. Make sure to keep the gum area clean and free of food particles. Any swelling that does not go down after 24 to 48 hours, or swelling that keeps getting worse, should be reported to our office.

Your child’s lip, gums and cheeks will most likely be numb for up to an hour after the procedure. Because children don’t fully understand the effects of anesthesia, it is important that your child does not chew or poke their lips, gums or cheeks during this time. They may injure themselves if not monitored closely.

After treatment, do not let your child rinse their mouth out, drink carbonated beverages (e.g. Coke or Sprite), or use a straw while drinking for several hours.

Bleeding or Pain

Extractions are typically followed by swelling and bleeding. For about one hour after the extraction, keep pressure on the opening to alleviate bleeding. Your dentist will pack the area with gauze and give you some for home use.

If prolonged bleeding occurs, compress the area with wet gauze or have your child bite on a wet tea bag to stop the bleeding. Have your child follow a soft foods diet and administer OTC pain relievers to minimize pain.

Swelling

If swelling occurs, place insulated ice packs on the affected areas in 10-minute intervals for the 24 hours following the procedure. After the initial 24-hour period, apply warm compresses. If swelling or bleeding continues or the swelling gets progressively worse, please call us to schedule an emergency appointment.

Following the placement of a space maintainer, a certain amount of pain and discomfort is normal and expected. Be sure your child brushes adequately around the area. Follow a soft foods diet and administer an over the counter pain reliever such as Advil, Motrin or Tylenol, to alleviate discomfort.

If the space maintainer comes loose or is completely removed, please save it if possible and contact us to schedule an appointment.

Sealants decrease the risk of decay by keeping out plaque and food. They form a thin coating over pits and fissures over the biting surface of the tooth. Areas in between teeth cannot be coated, so good oral hygiene and nutrition are very important in protecting these unsealed portions of the teeth from decay. Regular flossing and brushing also helps prevent gum disease.

Ice and hard candy should not be eaten because they will fracture the sealant. We recommend regular dental check ups to ensure that your child’s sealants remain in place.

Sealants have been recognized by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as an effective tool in the prevention of tooth decay. They can successfully protect the chewing surfaces of your child's teeth if placed and maintained properly. By visiting our office regularly for check ups, using fluoride, brushing and flossing daily, and limiting the amount of sugar-rich foods consumed, you are helping maintain your child’s dental health. Coupled with sealants, this program lessens and potentially eliminates the risk of decay.

Please monitor your child for the rest of the day. The medication they received will stay in their system for 24 hrs.

• If your child falls asleep, make sure they are sleeping on their side where their airway is not blocked.
•  Please remove gauze if any was used.
•  Indoor, light play for the remainder of the day

Read more about Sedation Options here.