Post Operative Instructions
The following information is provided to aid you and your child after he/she has had routine dental treatment in our office.
Local Anesthetic - Local Anesthetic was used during your child’s dental treatment. As a result their mouth will be “numb” for approximately
2-4 hours. Watch them closely to see that your child does not bite, scratch or injure the cheek, lips or tongue. Some children become very upset (even crying) and complain of pain when they realize their mouth feels “different.” Please do not be alarmed! Many children are unfamiliar with this numb sensation and associate this with pain. Reassure your child that the “funny feeling” will go away in approximately 2 hours.
Nitrous Oxide – Oxygen - “Laughing Gas” was used during your child’s dental appointment. Nitrous Oxide has a proven track record of being very safe, providing exceptional relief of anxiety with the only side effect being that of nausea but only in very rare instances.
Dental Fillings - After the placement of dental fillings, teeth may often be sensitive to hot, cold and pressure for a brief period of time. It is not uncommon for recently filled teeth to require several weeks to feel “normal” again.
Stainless Steel Crowns - Your child’s teeth have been covered with a stainless steel crown which has been shaped to fit the tooth, cover it completely and strengthen the tooth thereby allowing your child to maintain that tooth until it naturally falls out. The gum tissue surrounding the tooth may appear to be bleeding. This is normal! When preparing your child’s tooth for a crown, it is necessary to fit the crown closely to the gum tissue, resulting in some hemorrhaging and bruising of the tissue. Following placement of the crowns some parents will notice a purple or gray color around the gums; this is also normal and will subside over time.
Dental Extractions - After dental extractions your child will have gauze pressure packs placed to control normal bleeding from the site of the extraction. Most dental extractions are routine and it is unlikely that your child will need any pain medication or any antibiotics. Do not allow your child to suck from a straw or drink carbonated beverages for 48 hours – this may prolong bleeding due to disrupting the normal blood clotting process.
Bleeding- Bleeding was controlled before we discharged your child, but some occasional oozing (pink or blood-tinged saliva) may occur. Hold gauze with firm pressure against the surgical site until oozing has stopped. You may need to change the gauze or repeat this step. If bleeding continues for more than 2 hours, contact us.
Surgical Site Care - Today, do not disturb the surgical site. Do not stretch the lips or cheeks to look at the area. Do not rinse vigorously, use mouthwash, or probe the area with fingers or other objects. Beginning tomorrow, you may rinse with warm salt water (½ teaspoon salt with 1 cup water) after meals.
Diet - After all bleeding has stopped, the patient may drink cool non-carbonated liquids but should NOT use a straw. Encourage fluids to help avoid dehydration. Cold soft foods (eg, ice cream, gelatin, pudding, yogurt) are ideal the first day. By the second day, consistency of foods can progress as tolerated. Until healing is more established, avoid foods such as nuts, sunflower seeds, and popcorn that may get lodged in the surgical areas.
Oral Hygiene - Keeping the mouth clean is essential. Today, teeth may be brushed and flossed gently, but avoid stimulating the surgical site. Soreness and swelling may not permit vigorous brushing of all areas, but please make every effort to clean the teeth within the bounds of comfort.
Pain - Because some discomfort is expected, you may give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) before the numbness wears off. DO NOT give aspirin to your child. Follow the instructions on the bottle for dosing based upon your child’s age/weight.
Local Anesthetic - Local Anesthetic was used during your child’s dental treatment. As a result their mouth will be “numb” for approximately
2-4 hours. Watch them closely to see that your child does not bite, scratch or injure the cheek, lips or tongue. Some children become very upset (even crying) and complain of pain when they realize their mouth feels “different.” Please do not be alarmed! Many children are unfamiliar with this numb sensation and associate this with pain. Reassure your child that the “funny feeling” will go away in approximately 2 hours.
Nitrous Oxide – Oxygen - “Laughing Gas” was used during your child’s dental appointment. Nitrous Oxide has a proven track record of being very safe, providing exceptional relief of anxiety with the only side effect being that of nausea but only in very rare instances.
Dental Fillings - After the placement of dental fillings, teeth may often be sensitive to hot, cold and pressure for a brief period of time. It is not uncommon for recently filled teeth to require several weeks to feel “normal” again.
Stainless Steel Crowns - Your child’s teeth have been covered with a stainless steel crown which has been shaped to fit the tooth, cover it completely and strengthen the tooth thereby allowing your child to maintain that tooth until it naturally falls out. The gum tissue surrounding the tooth may appear to be bleeding. This is normal! When preparing your child’s tooth for a crown, it is necessary to fit the crown closely to the gum tissue, resulting in some hemorrhaging and bruising of the tissue. Following placement of the crowns some parents will notice a purple or gray color around the gums; this is also normal and will subside over time.
Dental Extractions - After dental extractions your child will have gauze pressure packs placed to control normal bleeding from the site of the extraction. Most dental extractions are routine and it is unlikely that your child will need any pain medication or any antibiotics. Do not allow your child to suck from a straw or drink carbonated beverages for 48 hours – this may prolong bleeding due to disrupting the normal blood clotting process.
Bleeding- Bleeding was controlled before we discharged your child, but some occasional oozing (pink or blood-tinged saliva) may occur. Hold gauze with firm pressure against the surgical site until oozing has stopped. You may need to change the gauze or repeat this step. If bleeding continues for more than 2 hours, contact us.
Surgical Site Care - Today, do not disturb the surgical site. Do not stretch the lips or cheeks to look at the area. Do not rinse vigorously, use mouthwash, or probe the area with fingers or other objects. Beginning tomorrow, you may rinse with warm salt water (½ teaspoon salt with 1 cup water) after meals.
Diet - After all bleeding has stopped, the patient may drink cool non-carbonated liquids but should NOT use a straw. Encourage fluids to help avoid dehydration. Cold soft foods (eg, ice cream, gelatin, pudding, yogurt) are ideal the first day. By the second day, consistency of foods can progress as tolerated. Until healing is more established, avoid foods such as nuts, sunflower seeds, and popcorn that may get lodged in the surgical areas.
Oral Hygiene - Keeping the mouth clean is essential. Today, teeth may be brushed and flossed gently, but avoid stimulating the surgical site. Soreness and swelling may not permit vigorous brushing of all areas, but please make every effort to clean the teeth within the bounds of comfort.
Pain - Because some discomfort is expected, you may give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) before the numbness wears off. DO NOT give aspirin to your child. Follow the instructions on the bottle for dosing based upon your child’s age/weight.
Watch:
Swelling: Slight swelling and inflammation may occur for the next 2 days. If swelling occurs, ice packs may be used for the first 24 hours (10 minutes on then 10 minutes off ) to decrease swelling and/or bruising. If swelling persists after 24 hours, warm/moist compresses (10 minutes on then 10 minutes off) may help. If swelling occurs after 48 hours, call our office.
Fever: A slight fever (temperature to 100.5°F) is not uncommon the first 48 hours after surgery. If a higher fever develops or the fever persists, call our office.
Dry Socket: Premature dissolving or loss of a blood clot following removal of a permanent tooth may result in a “dry socket”. This typically occurs on the 3rd to 5th day after the extraction, with a persistent throbbing pain in the jaw. Call our office if this occurs.
Fever: A slight fever (temperature to 100.5°F) is not uncommon the first 48 hours after surgery. If a higher fever develops or the fever persists, call our office.
Dry Socket: Premature dissolving or loss of a blood clot following removal of a permanent tooth may result in a “dry socket”. This typically occurs on the 3rd to 5th day after the extraction, with a persistent throbbing pain in the jaw. Call our office if this occurs.