Anesthetic/Numbing
After local anesthesia, your child may feel numbness in the lip, cheek, or tongue for approximately two hours following the appointment. Many children dislike the sensation of being numb — please remind your child that the feeling is only temporary and will wear off. Monitor your child closely so that he or she does not chew, scratch, suck, or play with the numb area. These actions can cause anything from minor irritation to severe swelling and abrasion of the tissue, leading to a white patch that takes roughly two weeks to heal. Keep your child on a liquid diet until the anesthesia wears off.
Medications for Post-Op Pain
If your child experiences any discomfort after the procedure, you may give an appropriate dose of Children's Tylenol, Motrin, or Advil. Either acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help manage pain. Follow the dosage instructions on the packaging based on your child's age and weight, or as directed by your pediatric dentist.
Composite Filling
Some soreness in the gums around the treated tooth and mild sensitivity are normal for 24 to 48 hours. However, if your child has difficulty biting down fully or experiences pain when biting after one to two weeks, please contact our office.
Stainless Steel Crown & Space Maintainer
Your child will be numb for a crown and sometimes for a spacer, so please also follow the post-op instructions for anesthetic/numbing. Because the crown or spacer must be seated just below the gumline, expect your child's gums to be sore for two to three days, and the 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 it, as continuous force and pressure can pull it off. Your child should avoid sticky, hard candies such as taffy, suckers, Starbursts, and caramels for the life of the crown or spacer; although it is cemented to the tooth structure, these foods can loosen it. If the appliance comes loose, save it and make an appointment as soon as possible.
Extraction
Your child will be numb, so please also follow the post-op instructions for anesthetic/numbing.
During the first 24 hours, it is important that a blood clot forms on the extraction site to stop bleeding, reduce pain, and speed healing. To protect the clot and avoid the pain of dry socket, your child should not spit, suck on candies, or drink through a straw.
Bleeding. Some bleeding and oozing is expected for several hours, and spitting or using a straw may provoke it. Keep firm pressure on the gauze pack for 30 minutes, then discard it. If bleeding is more than slight, place sterile gauze or a moistened tea bag over the area and again apply firm pressure for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues or is not controlled, call our office immediately.
Discomfort. Mild to moderate discomfort is normal for the first 24 to 48 hours after an extraction. Please follow the pain medication instructions provided by your child's dentist.
Swelling. Some degree of swelling is normal and can be minimized with ice or cold packs applied to the face at the extraction site for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, followed by 15 to 20 minutes off. Do this only during the first 24 hours. Swelling will peak around the second or third post-operative day and then slowly recede.
Diet. A soft or liquid diet is recommended for the first few days following surgery.
Care of the Mouth. Resume brushing and flossing, but clean gently around the site for about a week.
Activity. Do not allow your child to participate in strenuous activity for the first 24 hours, as this may increase bleeding from the extraction site. Activity may need to be limited — sometimes a nap is a good idea.
Note. If antibiotics were prescribed, continue taking them for the full length of time indicated, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone.
Questions about your child's recovery? Galaxy Smiles For Kids is happy to help — call our office any time.