Parents, thank you for trusting DFK with your child’s dental care.
Follow these post operative instructions to help with your child’s care, comfort and recovery. If you have any additional questions, please contact us.
Care of the Mouth After Extractions
- Keep your fingers and tongue away from the extraction area.
- Watch your child closely and do not allow them to chew or suck the lips, tongue, or cheek while they feel numb
- Do not spit excessively
- Do not rinse the mouth for several hours
- Do not drink through a straw
Bleeding
Some “oozing” or mild bleeding is expected. If unusual or sustained bleeding occurs, place cotton gauze or tea bag firmly over the extraction area and bite down or hold 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
Use Children’s Tylenol, Motrin, or Advil, as directed for any discomfort.
Care of Mouth after Fillings & Crowns
- Watch your child closely and do not allow them to chew or suck the lips, tongue, or cheek while they feel numb
- Gums may be sore after dental work. For gum discomfort,
- Use a warm salt water rinse 2-3 times per day. (1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water)
- Use Children’s Tylenol, Advil or Motrin as directed
Care of Sealants
- A thin coating of sealant material was placed on the biting surfaces of your child’s teeth which may make his/her bite or may feel “high” for a few days
- Maintain good brushing to increase the longevity of the sealant
- Avoid ice or hard candies that may fracture the sealant
Oral Discomfort After a Cleaning
A thorough cleaning produces some bleeding and swelling and may cause discomfort or some tenderness.
This is not due to a “rough cleaning” but, to inflamed gums from insufficient oral hygiene.
For any soreness:
- Use a warm salt water rinse 2-3 times per day. (1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water)
- Use Children’s Tylenol, Advil or Motrin as directed
Care of the Mouth After Trauma
- Keep the traumatized area clean. A soft wash cloth often works well during healing to aid the process
- Ice or popsicles should be administered during the first 24 hours to keep the swelling down
- Maintain a soft diet for two to three days, or until the child feels comfortable eating normally again
- Traumatized teeth may darken or discolor. This could be an indication of a bruised nerve or a dying nerve (pulp)
- Watch for infection (gum boils) in the area of trauma
- Contact DFK if swelling re-occurs or if a gum boil or gum pimple appears