Post-Treatment Instructions

Local anesthesia - (Post-Treatment Care Instructions)
If your child received numbing medicine for treatment of their upper teeth, then his/her cheeks
and upper lip may be numb for 30 minutes up to 1 ½ hours. If they received numbing medicine
for treatment of their lower teeth, then his/her cheeks, lower lip, and tongue may be numb for
up to 2 hours following the procedure.

Please observe your child carefully and discourage touching, sucking, or chewing of the numb areas. These activities can severely damage the lips or tongue; and if damaged they can take a week to heal. We try to leave a cotton roll or rolled-up cotton gauze in place to help prevent injury (and you will be given additional cotton rolls for use after you leave the office). We ask that you make sure the cotton roll is partially hanging out of your child’s mouth so you know where it is at all times (to prevent swallowing or aspiration).

Only very soft foods and liquids are recommended if your child is hungry. Please avoid anything hard, sticky, or crunchy to prevent self-injury from lip, cheek, or tongue biting.

Youngsters generally do not like the feeling of anesthesia and often tell parents it hurts, but they do not know any other way to describe the ballooning, tingly feeling.

Discomfort - (Post-Treatment Care Instructions)
If your child complains of discomfort after the dental appointment, please give your child Tylenol (Acetaminophen) or Advil (Ibuprophen) by weight recommendations and following manufacturer’s instructions. (Ibuprophen may upset their stomach if they have an empty stomach).  It may take up to an hour for discomfort to be alleviated after taking the medication. Rinsing with warm salt water (starting the following day) may help decrease gingival irritation along with normal brushing and flossing. If discomfort persists, please call our office.  

New Restorations - (Post-Treatment Care Instructions)
If your child has received fillings or crowns, you can USUALLY expect numb lips.  Occasionally, children have gum sensitivity or redness after fillings or crowns are placed. Slight bleeding around at the gumline is normal for the first 1-5 days. Do not let this alarm you or stop you from brushing thoroughly (including at the gumline).  Your child’s teeth and gums will only heal nicely if the area is kept clean. Gently applying Benadryl elixir with a Q-tip on the gum tissue can help alleviate the sensitivity reaction.  Gently massaging the gum tissue (10 seconds) around new crowns with a clean, soft cloth or gauze will also help to stimulate healing.

Nerve treatment, pulpotomies - (Post-Treatment Care Instructions)
If your child has had a nerve treatment, please review the discomfort instructions. Usually, children are more comfortable after nerve treatments than adults.

Oral hygiene - (Post-Treatment Care Instructions)
Please start brushing this evening. Use of toothpaste is not necessary and may burn slightly. A soft toothbrush run under warm water works well. Resume normal flossing tomorrow to allow new restorations or cement complete time to set.

Overall - (Post-Treatment Care Instructions)
We want your child to have the best dental experience possible. Some fussiness is very normal and may be a normal reaction for your child. Your child may respond better with praise and distraction following the dental appointment.   

Local anesthesia - (Post-Extraction Home Care Instructions)
If your child received numbing medicine for treatment of their upper teeth, then his/her cheeks and upper lip may be numb for up to 1 ½ hours. If they received numbing medicine for treatment of their lower teeth, then his/her cheeks, lower lip, and tongue may be numb for up to 2-3 hours following the procedure.

Please observe your child carefully and discourage touching, sucking, or chewing of the numb areas. These activities can severely damage the lips or tongue; and if damaged they can take a week to heal.  Your child will be biting on a piece of gauze to control the bleeding (see control of bleeding below) and to also prevent them from injuring their lip, tongue, or cheek. If the bleeding has stopped, but your child is still numb, please roll up a piece of gauze and have your child bite on it toward the front of their mouth to prevent injury.  We ask that you make sure the gauze is partially hanging out of your child’s mouth so you know where it is at all times (to prevent swallowing or aspiration).

Youngsters generally do not like the feeling of anesthesia and often tell parents it hurts, but they do not know any other way to describe the ballooning, tingly feeling.

Control of Bleeding - (Post-Extraction Home Care Instructions)
Your child is biting on gauze to control bleeding following the removal of their tooth or teeth. It is very important for this gauze to stay in the place of the extraction and for your child to remain actively biting on it for 30-45 minutes.  If this gauze becomes soggy, replace it with another and apply pressure by having your child bite on it for another 30 minutes. If gauze is not available, a teabag is an adequate substitute. Slight oozing and staining of saliva is normal and can be expected today (especially after drinking, eating, or sleeping). Moderate bleeding can be controlled by biting on the gauze with pressure. If HEAVY bleeding occurs, call the office at 713-436-4080.

Oral Hygiene - (Post-Extraction Home Care Instructions)
Rinsing and spitting should be avoided for 24 hours. After 24 hours, rinse very gently with warm salt water (1/2 tsp salt per cup of water) after meals. Brushing should be done without toothpaste for 24 hours and also avoiding the extraction site.  Brushing and flossing should be resumed as normal after 24 hours. Don’t forget to also brush the tongue.

Diet - (Post-Extraction Home Care Instructions)
Restrict diet to liquids only for the first 4 hours, then soft foods for the remainder of the day. After 24 hours, nutritious solid foods may be eaten (if your child can tolerate them). Avoid carbonated drinks and drinking through a straw for the first 24 to 48 hours (this can cause dislodgement of the blood clot). 

Discomfort - (Post-Extraction Home Care Instructions)
If your child complains of discomfort after the dental appointment, please give your child Tylenol (Acetaminophen) or Advil (Ibuprophen) by weight recommendations and following manufacturer’s instructions. (Ibuprophen may upset their stomach if they have an empty stomach). Do NOT give aspirin. It may take up to an hour for discomfort to be alleviated after taking the medication. It may benefit your child to take some Tylenol/Advil once you get home and continue for the next 24-48 hours.  Please call the office if discomfort continues for more than 48 hours. Your child may also experience some swelling. Ice (in a plastic bag or moist cloth) can be applied for 20-30 minutes during the first 36 hours if needed.

Overall - (Post-Extraction Home Care Instructions)
We want your child to have the best dental experience possible. Some fussiness is very normal and may be a normal reaction for your child. Your child may respond better with praise and distraction following the dental appointment.  

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at 713-436-4080.