Post-Op Instructions

Your child has had local anesthetic for their dental procedure:

• If the procedure was in the upper or lower jaw, the tongue, teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will be numb or asleep.

Often, children do not understand the effects of local anesthesia, and may chew, scratch, suck, or play with the numb lip, tongue, or cheek. These actions can cause minor irritation, or they can be severe enough to cause swelling and abrasions to the tissue. Please monitor your child closely for approximately 2-3 hours following the appointment. It is often wise to keep your child on a liquid or soft diet until the anesthetic has worn off. For those children returning to school after their treatment, please notify the teacher or childcare provider of the above instructions.

Please do not hesitate to call the office at (408) 866-8883 if there are any questions.

1. Your child has had 1 or more teeth “wiggled” out.
2. The gauze needs to stay in place with biting pressure for 30 minutes. This will reduce the amount of bleeding.
3. Give your child the appropriate dose of children’s Tylenol, Motrin or Advil when you take the gauze out (NO aspirin). Your child should only need this for approximately 12 to 24 hours. If pain persists beyond 72 hours, please call our office.
4. Your child should eat only soft, bland food for the first couple days – nothing sharp, crunchy or too hot or cold because the area may be a sensitive. Encourage plenty of liquids (water, soups, juices, etc.). Let your child determine when a regular diet can be reintroduced.
5. NO spitting or drinking through a straw or “sippy” cup. The force can start the bleeding again.
6. A clean mouth heals faster. Gentle brushing around the extraction site can be started immediately along with warm saltwater rinses (1/4 teaspoon to a glass of water) to aid with any discomfort.
7. Activity may need to be limited. Sometimes a nap is a good idea.
8. Swelling after an extraction is not uncommon and should not cause alarm. If this occurs, apply an ice pack for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off as needed in the 24 hours following tooth removal.
9. Your child’s cheek, lip and tongue will be numb for approximately 1-2 hours. Please be very
   careful that your child does not bite at his/her cheek or pick at this area. As this area “wakes up” it may feel funny. A self-inflicted bite injury is the most common post-op complication. Please keep an eye on your child!

If you have any questions or should any complications arise, please call the office at (408) 866-8883. If after hours, please call (808) 366-9338 or email at hello@southbaykidsdentistry.com.

By forming a thin covering over the pits and fissures, sealants keep out plaque and food, thus decreasing the risk of decay. Since, the covering is only over the biting surface of the tooth, areas on the side and between teeth cannot be coated with the sealant. Good oral hygiene and nutrition are still very important in preventing decay next to these sealants or in areas unable to be covered.

Your child should refrain from eating ice and hard or sticky candy. This tends to fracture or displace the sealant material. Normal retention of a sealant is up to two to three years. Sealants that become displaced in the first twelve months will be replaced at no charge.

The American Dental Association recognizes that sealants can play an important role in the prevention of tooth decay. When properly applied and maintained, they can successfully protect the chewing surfaces of your child’s teeth. A total prevention program includes regular visits to the dentist, the use of fluoride, daily brushing, and flossing, and limiting the number of times sugar-rich foods are eaten. If these measures are followed and sealants are used on the child’s teeth, the risk of decay can be reduced or may even be eliminated!

A thorough cleaning unavoidably produces some bleeding and swelling and may cause some tenderness or discomfort. This is not due to a “rough cleaning”, but to tender and inflamed gums from insufficient oral hygiene. We recommend the following for 2-3 days after cleaning was performed:

1. A warm saltwater rinse 2 – 3 times per day ( 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water)
2. For discomfort use Children’s Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed for the age of the child

Please do not hesitate to contact the office at (408) 866-8883 if the discomfort persists for more than 7 days or if there are any questions.