POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS
ANESTHESIA
We use local anesthesia for all procedures unless the cavity is very small and we can perform the operation without hurting the child. We do not use any pre-medication, nitrous oxide gas or general anesthesia. The child's mouth will be numb for anywhere between 1-2 hours. During that time, especially in young children, they will have a tendency to either scratch their face or chew on the inside of their mouth or lip. If this occurs they will create a raw sore either inside the mouth or on the lip. Although this looks awful and may be painful it will heal itself in a few days. You may give the child Advil, Motrin or Tylenol for the pain and apply vaseline to the outside of the lip to keep it moist.
EXTRACTIONS
BLEEDING: Keep biting on the gauze at the extraction site for 30 minutes. Following extractions some bleeding is to be expected, if persistent bleeding occurs, replace gauze pads over bleeding area and bite down firmly for one-half hour. Repeat if necessary. SWELLING: Ice bag or chopped ice placed in a plastic bag and wrapped in a towel should be applied to operated area, one-half hour on and one-half hour off for 6 hours. PAIN: For any mild to average pain use any over the counter medication you use for a headache (Advil, Motrin, Tylenol. Do not use Aspirin. FOOD: Light diet is advisable during the first 24 hours. Cool, soft foods are best. BONY EDGES: Small sharp bone fragments may work through the gums during healing, they are not roots. They normally come out on their own. ACTIVITIES: Restrict any sports activities or actions that may cause an increase in heart rate beyond normal for 24 hours so bleeding can be kept under control. SEALANTS
After sealants are placed the child's bite may feel off, this will adjust itself in a day or two. The child should not eat any hard substance (candy), chew gum or ingest any sticky foods for the first 24 hours after the sealants are placed. CROWNS After the crons is placed the child will feel a lot of pressure and may experience pain at the gum line where the crown fits under the gum. Their bite also may feel un-natural for a few days. These symptoms do away on their own within 1-2 days. If the pain is annoying you may give them Advil, Tylenol, etc. For as long as the tooth with the stainless steel crown is in their mouth they should avoid eating anything hard are sticky as it may loosen or pull the crown off. BRACES
After the braces are placed the patient may have some discomfort which Advil, Tylenol, etc. should take care of. The tissues inside of the mouth may develop sore spots until the gums adapt to the braces. We will give the patient wax to put over the bracket until the tissue adapts and hardens. Eating hard or sticky candy while having braces on can cause brackets to loosen, wires to bend in the wrong direction and this will cause a delay in the treatment time. FILLINGS
After a filling is placed there may be a period of adjustment for the patient's bite to adjust. If the filling was deep there may be sensation to cold or hot for a period of time. Usually these symptoms disappear in a few days. |
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John P. Youngman, D.D.S. |
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Dentistry for Children |
727-384-9393 T-W-THU |
