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Post-Operative instructions

Care of the mouth after local anesthetic

If the procedure was in the lower jaw, your child's tongue, teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will be numb or asleep.

Often, children do not understand the effects of local anesthesia. They may chew, scratch, suck or play with the numb lip, tongue or cheek. These actions can cause minor irritations, swelling and abrasions to the tissue. Please watch your child closely to make sure they're not injuring the lip, tongue or cheek before the anesthesia wears off.

Monitor your child closely for approximately two hours following the appointment. You will want to keep your child on a liquid or soft diet until the anesthetic has worn off.

Please call the office if you have any questions.

Care of the mouth after trauma:

  • Please keep the traumatized area as clean as possible.

  • Watch for darkened primary teeth. This could be an indication of a dying nerve (pulp). Darkened permanent teeth require a trip to the endodontist for a root canal.

  • If initial swelling from the trauma should re-occur, please call our office so we can see the patient as soon as possible. During the first 24 hours, you or your child may apply ice to keep swelling to a minimum.

  • Watch for infection (gum boils) in the area of trauma. If you notice an infection, please call our office so we can see the patient as soon as possible.

  • Maintain a soft diet for two to three days, or until the child feels comfortable eating normally again.

  • Avoid sweets and extremely hot or cold foods.

  • If the dentist prescribes antibiotics or pain medicines, please follow as directed.

Please call the office if you have any questions.

Care of the mouth after extractions

  • Do not scratch, chew, suck or rub the lips, tongue or cheek while they feel numb or asleep. Please watch your child closely so they don't injure their lip, tongue or cheek before the anesthesia wears off.

  • Do not rinse the mouth for several hours.

  • Do not spit excessively.

  • Do not drink carbonated beverages for the remainder of the day.

  • Do not drink through a straw.

  • Keep fingers and tongue away from the extraction area.

  • Bleeding: Some bleeding is to be expected. If unusual or sustained bleeding occurs, place cotton gauze or a tea bag firmly over the extraction area and bite down or hold in place for 15 minutes. Repeat if necessary.

  • Maintain a soft diet for a day or two, or until your child feels comfortable eating normally again.

  • Avoid strenuous exercise or physical activity for several hours after the extraction.

  • Pain: Use Children's Tylenol, Advil or Motrin as directed for the age of the child. If the dentist prescribed medication, please follow the directions on the bottle.

Please do not hesitate to contact the office if there are any questions.

Care of sealants

Sealants keep out plaque and food by forming a thin covering over pits and fissures, thereby decreasing the risk of decay. Good oral hygiene and nutrition are still very important in preventing decay next to these sealants or in areas that are unable to be covered.

Your child should refrain from eating ice or hard candy, which tends to fracture the sealant. Regular dental appointments allow Dr. Nichols to be certain the sealants remain in place.

The American Dental Association recognizes that sealants can play an important role in the prevention of tooth decay. When properly applied and maintained, they can successfully protect the chewing surfaces of your child's teeth. A total prevention program includes regular visits to the dentist, the use of fluoride, daily brushing and flossing, and limiting the number of times your child eats sugar-rich foods. If your child has sealants and you follow these measures, you will reduce the risk of decay and perhaps even eliminate it.

Oral discomfort after a cleaning

A thorough cleaning often produces some bleeding and swelling, and may cause tenderness or discomfort. This is not due to a "rough cleaning," but to tender and inflamed gums from insufficient oral hygiene. We recommend you take the following measures for two to three days after your child had a cleaning:

  1. Rinse with a warm salt water rinse two to three times per day (1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water);

  2. For discomfort, use Children's Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed for the age of the child.

Please contact the office if the discomfort persists for more than seven days, or if you have questions.