After Treatment Care
Local Anesthetic (numbing)
After receiving treatment, your child’s treatment site and surrounding areas can stay numb for up to 2-4 hours. Young children are at greater risk of irritation and abrasions, as they frequently suck on, pull on, scratch or chew on the numb tissue. It is important to watch the child very closely to help prevent extensive damage to the treatment site. It is also important that your child maintains a soft diet until the numbing sensation has stopped. If your child does show signs of a blister, swelling or mild bleeding, these are normal signs of lip trauma and will resolve within two weeks. Rinsing with warm salt water and children’s doses of Tylenol or Motrin are usually good options for pain management until any pain/swelling has reduced to manageable levels.
Laughing Gas (nitrous oxide)
Laughing gas is a mild, short-acting sedative that is used to calm your child during dental treatment. It takes 2-5 minutes for laughing gas to take effect, and a similar amount of time for it to dissipate. After treatment with laughing gas, we will place your child on a 100% oxygen flush, eliminating any nitrous oxide from their system. Your child can resume normal activity immediately after the appointment, unless the doctor has prescribed necessary activity limits based on other procedures your child has had.
After Treatment Pain Management
Sometimes your child may experience discomfort and sensitivity in the mouth after dental treatment has been completed. Our office recommends the use of appropriate doses of acetaminophen or Ibuprofen to help manage pain and discomfort. The child’s soreness in the gums and tooth sensitivity will resolve with time. Normally brushing and flossing is still always recommended
Resin Restorations (white fillings)
After a restoration is placed, your child should be able to eat and drink immediately. However, there are some things your child should avoid: sticky, gooey foods, dark colored foods, and drinks, and chewing on ice or hard candies. Sticky foods can pull off the filling and stain the resin, which cannot be bleached or whitened. As for cleaning the area, your child can brush twice daily and floss once daily. However, expect a minor amount of discomfort or cold sensitivity following any dental procedure.
Occlusion
“Occlusion” refers to your child’s bite. This bite may feel different temporarily after a filling is placed. This sensation should pass in 1 to 3 days. If it doesn’t, please contact our office, as the restoration may need to be adjusted.
Stainless Steel Crowns
A newly placed crown will likely be accompanied by tender or sore gums. Have your child brush and floss normally but expect a little bleeding for the first 1-2 weeks after placement. Have your child avoid sticky foods to avoid dislodging the crown. If the crown is removed, call our office immediately so that we can re-cement the crown as soon as possible.
Space Maintainers
Your child will probably have some general soreness from the pressure placed on the tooth ligaments, as well as tender or sore gums in the specific area of the spacer. Have your child avoid sticky foods and watch your child closely to ensure they are not picking at the spacer with their fingers or tongue. This can dislodge the spacer or space maintainer. If this happens, call our office immediately so we can re-cement the spacer maintainer or replace the spacer as soon as possible.