Post Op Instructions
Post Treatment Instructions for Fillings and Crowns
Post Treatment Instructions for Extractions (Tooth Removal)
Post Treatment Instructions for Space Maintainers
Post Treatment Instructions for General Anesthesia
Post Treatment Instructions for Fillings and Crowns
1) NUMBNESS: The effects of local anesthetic are usually over in 2-3 hours. Watch so your child does not bite the cheek, lips, or tongue. Some children describe this numb feeling as pain because it is an unfamiliar feeling for them.
2) DIET: During the first 24 hours following the appointment, follow a soft food diet. (A silver filling does not acquire 100% of its strength for 24 hours.) If a stainless steel crown is inserted, avoid sticky foods.
3) PAIN: Some discomfort may occur when the numbness wears off. This can be managed with Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) every 6-8 hours or Tylenol every 4-6 hours. Do not exceed the recommended dosage in a 24 hour period.
Post Treatment Instructions for Extractions (Tooth Removal)
1) NUMBNESS: The effects of local anesthetic are usually over in 2-3 hours. WATCH YOUR CHILD CLOSELY AS THEY ARE NUMB to make sure he/she does not bite his/her cheek, lip or tongue. Some children describe this numb feeling as pain, because it is an unfamiliar feeling for them.
2) PAIN: Some discomfort may occur when the numbness wears off. This can be managed with Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) every 6-8 hours or Tylenol every 4-6 hours. Do not exceed the recommended dosage in a 24 hour period.
3) DIET: Encourage clear liquids to avoid dehydration. Your child should eat soft foods for the next 24 hours.
4) BLEEDING: Some bleeding is normal for the next 24 hours. This bleeding can be easily controlled by applying pressure with gauze. Avoid drinking through a straw for 24 hours.
5) BRUSHING: Resume twice daily brushing in 24 hours
Post Treatment Instructions for Space Maintainers
The purpose of your child's space maintainer is to keep open the space needed for a permanent tooth that has yet to erupt. It will be left in place up to the time when the new permanent tooth can be seen breaking through the gum tissues.
Space maintainers will hold space that your child would have naturally had had a tooth not needed to be removed. Having a space maintainer does not mean that your child will never need braces. However, in some cases, space maintainers can decrease or eliminate the chance of needing braces, decrease treatment time in braces and/or make crowding less severe until braces are placed.
It is important that your child avoid the foods that are listed below. These foods can get wrapped around the wire, can bend the wire and can get stuck in the band, causing the appliance to break or become loose. Your child should avoid prying or poking at the wire.
If the space maintainer happens to break or becomes loose, please be sure to call our office so that we can decide if the appliance needs to be recemented or remade.
Foods to Avoid:
Sticky and Chewy: Gum, caramels, Mike and Ikes, Taffy, Milk Duds, Licorice, Gummy bears, Jelly beans, Beef Jerky, Starbursts, Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Pops, Carmel Apples, dots, Sio-Pokes, Hot Tamales, Now & Later, etc.
Hard and Crunchy: Nuts, popcorn, ice, sweet tarts, Salted Nut Rolls, Peanut M &M's, Almond Joy, Heath Bars, Grape Nuts, Suckers, Hard Candies, Jollie Ranchers, Lemon drops, Jaw Breakers, Corn on Cob must be cut off cob, apples and carrots need to be sliced thin.
Post Treatment Instructions for General Anesthesia
1) The effects of the medication are usually over in 6-8 hours. Your child may continue to be a little drowsy after that. Attempt to have your child rest/sleep on his or her side during the recovery period. Some children experience irritability for short periods of time; this will soon pass.
2) A tube was passed through your child's nose and into the windpipe to deliver anesthetic gases; there may be some tenderness around the nose as well as soreness in the throat. In addition, the tube was held in place with adhesive tape and the skin may be a little red in that area. This is temporary and requires no treatment.
3) ACTIVITY: Your child should be kept indoors and activity restricted for the rest of the day. Allow your child to rest and closely supervise any activity for the remainder of the day.
4) PAIN: Some discomfort may occur. This can be managed with Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) every 6-8 hours or Tylenol every 4-6 hours. Do not exceed the recommended dosage in a 24 hour period.
5) DIET: Wake your child periodically and encourage clear liquids to avoid dehydration (water, sprite, juice, Jell-O, etc.). Small drinks taken frequently are preferable to taking large amounts for the next 24 hours. Soft food, not too hot, may be taken when desired. Again, encourage clear liquids often.
6) FLUORIDE: Your child's teeth may appear yellow from the fluoride varnish brushed on. This is to strengthen and protect the teeth. You can brush it off tomorrow.
7) BLEEDING: Resume normal brushing 24 hours after the procedure. Brushing the gums around the stainless steel crowns will encourage faster healing (some bleeding when brushing is normal) until the area heals.
8) BRUSHING: Resume normal brushing 24 hours after the procedure. Brushing the gums around the stainless steel crowns will encourage faster healing (some bleeding when brushing is normal) until the area heals.
9) TEMPERATURE ELEVATION: Your child's temperature may be elevated to 101� F/38� C for the first 24 hours after treatment. Tylenol or Ibuprofen and fluids will help alleviate this condition.
10) SEEK ADVICE - CALL:
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If vomiting persists beyond 4 hours
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If the temperature is above 101 F/38 C
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If there is difficulty breathing
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If any other matter causes you concern
IMPORTANT!
Congratulations. Your child is free of cavities! Today is the day to start healthy habits to last a lifetime.
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Brush your child's teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
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Limit juice, soda, kool-aide and any other drink containing sugar or acid to 4 ounces per day in a cup. Instead, encourage water, plain milk and whole fruits and vegetables (apples, oranges, strawberries, carrots, cucumbers).
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Discourage frequent snacking on foods high in sugars (crackers, cookies, candies).