Numb lips, cheeks, and tongue
Local anesthetic can last 2-4 hours. Kids may chew or suck on numb tissue without realizing it. Keep meals soft, avoid crunchy foods, and watch closely until feeling returns.
Fillings, crowns, and space maintainers
Mild soreness is normal. Avoid sticky candy and hard biting the first day. If a crown, filling, or appliance feels loose, breaks, or comes off, call us so we can decide the right next step.
Extractions
A little oozing is common. Keep fingers, straws, and hard foods away from the area. Use any gauze or medication instructions exactly as given by the clinical team.
After sedation
Plan a quiet day at home. Your child may be groggy, emotional, or unsteady. Follow the written sedation instructions, keep an adult with them, and do not return to normal activity until our team says it is safe.
Call right away for these
- Bleeding that does not slow with pressure.
- Swelling that is getting worse, spreading, or affecting breathing/swallowing.
- Fever, rash, or signs of medication reaction.
- Pain that is not improving with the instructions we gave you.
- A dental crown, filling, spacer, or appliance comes loose.
when in doubt, call
We would rather answer early.
If something feels off after a visit, or if you are not sure whether your child needs to be seen, call the office. For severe swelling, trouble breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, or a major injury, seek emergency care first.