Post Operations Instructions
Local Anesthetic (causes numbness):
Local anesthetic temporarily numbs a selected area of the mouth so extractions may be completed more comfortably. The duration of the numbness lasts approximately one (1) hour for upper teeth and three (3) hours for lower teeth.
- Avoid eating or chewing while the mouth is numb. The cheek, lip, or tongue can be inadvertently bitten and cause tissue damage and/or discomfort.
- Remind young children not to bite, suck, or pinch their lips or cheeks while the numbness is still present. This can also cause tissue damage and/or future discomfort.
When teeth have been extracted at the dental office, bleeding will occur. Biting firmly on gauze or a clean cloth will help the bleeding to stop (a tea bag will also work). If the child is too young to firmly bite on their own, a parent or responsible adult should manually place the gauze or clean cloth on the site of the extracted tooth with firm pressure for approximately 20 minutes. A small amount of oozing through the day is normal.
- Do NOT allow your child to spit.
- Straws or sippy cups should NOT be used for 24 hours after an extraction.
- A soft diet is recommended for 1-2 days or until the child feels comfortable eating normally.
Composite (White) Fillings:
These restorations are hard immediately following the dental appointment. However, eating should be postponed until the numbness has disappeared. Some temporary sensitivity to chewing or temperature may occur. If this sensitivity does not improve or increases over time, please let our office know.
Stainless Steel Crowns (Caps):
These restorations are cemented over the top of the natural tooth after the cavity has been removed. Sticky candies and gum should be avoided to prevent the crown from being pulled off. Baby teeth will be able to wiggle out normally when it is time for the permanent tooth to come in naturally.
Space Maintainers:
The purpose of your child’s space maintainer is to keep open the space needed for a permanent tooth that has yet to erupt. It will be left in place until the time when the new permanent tooth can be seen breaking through the gum tissues.
It is important that your child avoid chewing gum, eating sticky foods like taffy and gummy bears, as well as hard items like ice and hard candy. These snacks can bend the wire, causing the appliance to break or become loose.
Your child should also avoid prying or poking at the wire with his or her fingers. Checking the space maintainer periodically will ensure that it is still properly placed.
If it happens to break or become loose, please be sure to call our office immediately so that we can determine if the appliance can be recemented or if it needs to be remade.
Children’s Tylenol or Motrin is recommended to be given prior to the numbness wearing off to help manage any discomfort.
Sealants:
To care for your sealants, brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day. Be sure to avoid hard and sticky foods that can break or dislodge the sealants. And see your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.