Care of the Mouth After Local Anesthetic

• If the procedure is in the lower jaw, your tongue, teeth, lips, and surrounding tissue will be numb.
• If the procedure is in the upper jaw, your teeth, lips, and surrounding tissue will be asleep.
• Often, children don't understand the effects of local anesthesia and may chew, scratch, suck, or play with numb tissue. These actions can cause minor irritations or, if aggressive, cause swelling and abrasions. Monitor your child closely for approximately two hours following the appointment
• Keep your child on a liquid or soft diet until the anesthetic has worn off.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call the office.

Care of the Mouth After Trauma

• Please keep the damaged area as clean as possible using a soft washcloth.
• Watch for the darkening of traumatized teeth, as it could indicate nerve death of the pulp.
• Place an ice pad over the tissue during the first 24 hours to control the swelling.
• Our office needs to see the patient immediately if the tissue swells again.
• Watch for infection or gum boils in the injured area. If you see signs of this problem, call the office as soon as possible.
• Maintain a soft diet for two to three days or until the child feels comfortable eating normally again.
• Avoid sweets or foods that are extremely hot or cold.
• If the dentist prescribes antibiotics or pain medicine, follow the specified instructions.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with our office.

Care of the Mouth After Extractions

• Don't scratch, chew, suck, or rub your lips, tongue, or cheek while they're numb. Watch your child closely so they don't injure the tissue before the anesthesia wears off.
• Don't rinse the mouth for several hours.
• Don't spit excessively.
• Don't drink carbonated beverages for the rest of the day.
• Don't drink through a straw.
• Keep fingers and tongue away from the extraction area.

Bleeding

Some bleeding after the procedure is completely normal. However, if the tissue bleeds excessively or for a sustained period, place a cotton gauze or tea bag firmly over the area and bite down or hold it in place for fifteen minutes. Repeat if necessary.

• Maintain a soft diet for a day or two or until the child feels comfortable eating normally again.
• Avoid strenuous exercise or physical activity for several hours after the extraction.

Pain 

If your child experiences discomfort, use Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed according to the child's age. If the dentist prescribes medicine, follow the directions on the bottle.

If you have any questions, please call our office.

Care of Sealants

By thinly covering teeth pits and fissures, sealants keep out plaque and food and decrease the risk of decay. Since sealants only protect the tooth's biting surface, areas on the side and between teeth remain vulnerable. Therefore, good oral hygiene and nutrition are essential in preventing decay.

Your child should refrain from eating ice or hard candy, which tends to fracture the sealant. We also recommend scheduling regular dental appointments, so your child's dentist can check if the sealants are still in place.

The American Dental Association recognizes that sealants play an important role in preventing tooth decay. When properly applied and maintained, sealants can successfully protect the chewing surfaces of your child's teeth. A total prevention program includes:

• Regular visits to the dentist
• Use of fluoride
• Daily brushing and flossing
• Limiting the intake of sugar-rich foods

If your child has sealants and follows these healthy habits, the risk of decay reduces considerably and can even become non-existent!

Oral Discomfort After a Cleaning

A thorough cleaning will usually produce some bleeding and swelling and may cause tenderness or discomfort. These effects don't happen because the cleaning was aggressive and damaging but because your gums are tender and inflamed from insufficient oral hygiene. We recommend following these tips for two to three days after a cleaning:

• Mix one teaspoon of salt and one cup of warm water and rinse your mouth 2 to 3 times a day.
• If your kid experiences pain or discomfort, use Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed according to the child's age.

Please don't hesitate to contact the office if the discomfort persists for more than seven days or if you have any questions.