Home care is important to maintain a healthy smile, and as with any procedure, post-operative care is important for healthy healing and maintenance. Here are some general tips on how to care for your little one’s smile after certain procedures.
NUMBNESS (LOCAL ANESTHESIA)
- The sensation of being numb after the appointment is typically the most challenging aspect for a child to understand.
- It may take 1-4 hours for the numbness to wear off.
- Avoid eating foods that require much chewing (a soft food diet is recommended).
- Monitor your child closely so that he/she does not bite their tongue, cheek, or lips.
COMPOSITE (WHITE) FILLINGS
- If your child is numb, please follow the post-op instructions for numbness.
- Avoid sticky, hard candies and chewing on ice to prevent breaking the filling or crown.
- Avoid using front teeth to bite directly into hard food such as apples, carrots, and corn on the cob.
- Limit drinking or eating dark-colored beverages and foods as this may cause staining and discoloration of the resin material.
- It is important to note that resin fillings are prone to recurrent decay (new decay around the filling margin) and they should be brushed and flossed like a natural tooth.
- For any discomfort, Tylenol or Ibuprofen is recommended.
STAINLESS STEEL CROWNS / SPACE MAINTAINERS
- To seat the crown or spacer correctly, work must be done just below the gum line; therefore, expect your child’s gums to be sore for 2-3 days. Your child’s gum tissue may bleed upon brushing for the next few days. To help with healing, keep the area clean by gently brushing two to three times a day and flossing.
- It may take a few days for your child to adjust to the crown or spacer. Do not let your child pick or pull at the crown or spacer as continuous force and pressure can pull it off.
- Your child should avoid sticky, hard candies (i.e. taffy, suckers, starbursts, caramels) for the life of the crown or spacer. Although it is cemented onto the tooth structure, these sticky foods can cause the crown or spacer to become loose.
EXTRACTIONS
- Have your child bite on the provided gauze until bleeding is controlled, which may take up to 30 minutes.
- Remember that your child’s cheek, lips, and tongue may be numb for approximately 2-4 hours after the procedure.
- Avoid sippy cups, bottles, straws, and pacifiers for the first 24 hours after the procedure. The sucking action may cause prolonged bleeding.
- Avoid salty, spicy, acidic, or crunchy foods for the first 24 hours as this may irritate the extraction site. Cold and/or soft foods are a great choice (i.e. ice cream, applesauce, mac & cheese, etc.).
- Administer children’s Tylenol or Motrin for any discomfort.
- Do not allow your child to participate in strenuous activity for the first 24 hours as this may increase bleeding from the extraction site.
- A small amount of oozing is normal; however, if bleeding becomes heavy have your child bite on a gauze or tea bag for 15 minutes.
- If bleeding continues or is not controlled, call our office immediately.
