The following information for post-operative care is given to aid you and your child after dental services. Please contact The Dental Ranch if you have questions.
Sealants are placed on the teeth without the use of local anesthesia; however, children may feel that their teeth do not fit together properly for a few hours. Crunching ice should be avoided because it may dislodge the sealant.
If local anesthesia was used to complete your child’s dental treatment, lips , cheeks and tongue may be affected. Because your child may not be able to control the lip, cheeks or tongue, they shouldn’t chew while the area is numb. While the lip , cheeks or tongue is still numb, your child can drink or eat soft foods (milkshake, ice cream, warm soup, Jell-O, etc.). Numbness usually takes 3-4 hours to subside. Your child may tend to bite the affected lip or tongue. It is important to watch your child and stop this behavior to prevent a painful bite.
Your child’s tooth has been covered with a stainless steel crown. This crown is shaped to fit the tooth and cover it completely, strengthening the tooth. Because the crown fits just below the gum line, your child may experience tenderness around the crown for a day or so. Children’s Tylenol is helpful in relieving this temporary discomfort. Your child should keep the area along the gum line clean and may need help with brushing for 2-3 days. The crown should be brushed and flossed just as the rest of the teeth. Your child should avoid sticky, chewy candy (Jolly Ranchers, Now or Later’s, Starbursts, etc.) because they may pull the stainless steel crown off.
It is important to permit a strong clot to form at the site of the extraction. For this reason carbonated beverages (Coca Cola, etc.) should be avoided for 24 hours. To prevent dislodging the clot, do not allow your child to drink through a straw and do not rinse or use mouth wash for at least 24 hours. If spitting is necessary, it should not be done forcefully. Your child should avoid brushing in the area for the remainder of the day. We will keep your child in the clinic until the bleeding stops. If it starts again after leaving the clinic, gentle biting on gauze should stop the bleeding. We will send gauze with you in case you need it. Your child should only have soft foods for today (yogurt, ice cream or popsicle).
Mild swelling and discomfort are normal occurrences following tissue trauma associated with some extractions and some fillings. Any significant swelling or moderate to severe pain needs attention in the clinic so it can be properly treated.
Other articles on Buckaroo dental care:
Buckaroo’s First Visit – learn about what to expect during your child’s first visit to The Dental Ranch and how you can make it an enjoyable experience.
Home Care After Surgery – learn what to expect and how to care for your little Buckaroo after dental surgery.
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