AFTER CARE
Preventative Visits
Following a Cleaning
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 hygiene at home.If your child experiences gum bleeding or mouth discomfort after teeth cleaning, we recommend the following for 2 to 3 days: For gum bleeding and swelling rinse 2 times daily with warm salt water rinse (1/4 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water) For mouth discomfort use children’s Motrin or Tylenol appropriate for your child’s age and weight as directed by the manufacturer that has worked for your child in the past. To prevent your child from feeling any discomfort at the next cleaning, maintain twice daily teeth brushing, nightly flossing and good oral habits. Please do not hesitate to call the office if there are any questions.
Following Fluoride Treatment
After your child's fluoride treatment, it is recommended that they do not brush or floss their teeth for 1 hour. Also, do not eat anything that is hot (temperature), sticky, and chewy for one hour. After that, normal hygiene should be resumed.
Following Sealant Placement
Following its application, a sealant may feel a bit different when biting down. This will gradually disappear. Sealants also may leave a taste in your child’s mouth, this will also quickly disappear. Your child may rinse with water and/or eat immediately after sealant placement. Always avoid chewing on ice cubes, jaw breakers, cough drops or other hard and crunchy foods. The sealant may chip or break if these foods are eaten especially just after placement. Sealants can remain in place for many years if they receive proper care. Our doctors will evaluate the integrity of the sealants at every checkup appointment.
Dental Procedures
Following Anesthesia
If your child has received numbing medication for his/her dental care, the lips/tongue/cheek may be numb for up to two hours afterward. Please observe them carefully and discourage touching, sucking, or chewing on the numb areas. These activities can severely damage the mouth. Lips can take more than a week to heal if left completely alone. Only very soft foods and liquids are recommended if your child is hungry. After, the two hours have passed, any food except sticky, hard foods are allowable. Youngsters generally do not like the feeling of anesthesia and often tell parents it hurts. Young patients do not know any other way to express or verbalize the ballooning (fat), tingly feeling.
Following Filling or Crown
If your child has received fillings or crowns, you can USUALLY expect numb lips. Occasionally, children have gum sensitivity or redness after white fillings or crowns are placed. Sometimes dabbing Benadryl elixir on the gum tissue can help alleviate the sensitivity reaction. If necessary, applying the elixir for several days can make your child more comfortable.
Following Pulpotomy / Pulpectomy / Baby Root Canal
Your child will experience numbness for a couple of hours after treatment. Keep a close eye on your little one so that they do not chew on or damage their delicate tissue. Do not allow them to eat food that requires chewing for two hours after treatment is complete. Reassure your child and let them know that their sleepy tooth will wake up shortly and that what they are feeling is normal. Because we place crowns on all teeth that have had a pulpotomy, their gum tissue may feel sensitive and appear slightly bruised. Brush and floss the area to assist with healing. This will heal within a few days to a week. If your child continues to have pain after 24 hours, please make sure to give us a call.
Following an Extraction
If your child has had a tooth (or teeth) extracted, they will almost ALWAYS have numb lips. Avoid forceful spitting, use of straws, pacifiers, bottles, and drinking of carbonated or hot beverages as these cause prolonged bleeding and/or pain. Oozing may be normal for a day or two. Cooler, foods are recommended as they help stop oozing, swelling, and pain.