|
Care of the Mouth after Local Anesthetic
|
Care of the Mouth after Extractions
Care of Sealants
|
Oral Discomfort After A Cleaning
Care of the Mouth after Local Anesthetic
Your child has had local anesthetic for
their dental procedure: If the procedure was
in the lower jaw... the tongue, teeth, lip
and surrounding tissue will be numb or
asleep. If the procedure was in the upper
jaw... the 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 irritations or
they can be severe enough to cause swelling
and abrasions to the tissue. Please watch
and stay close with your child for
approximately two hours following the
appointment. It is often wise to keep your
child on a liquid or soft diet until the
anesthetic has worn off. Please do not
hesitate to call the office if there are any
questions.
Back to Top
Care of the Mouth after Extractions
Do not scratch , chew, suck, or rub the
lips, tongue, or cheek while they feel numb
or asleep. The child should be watched
closely so he/she does not injure his/her
lip, tongue, or cheek before the anesthesia
wears off.
* Do not rinse the mouth for several
hours.
* Do not spit excessively.
* Do not drink a carbonated beverage
(Coke, Sprite, etc.) for the remainder of
the day.
* Do not drink through a straw.
* Keep fingers and tongue away from
the extraction area.
Bleeding- Some bleeding is to
be expected. If unusual or sustained
bleeding occurs, place cotton gauze firmly
over the extraction area and bite down or
hold in place for fifteen minutes. This can
also be accomplished with a tea bag wrapped
in a tissue. Repeat if necessary. Maintain a
soft diet for a day or two, or until the
child feels comfortable eating normally
again. Avoid strenuous exercise or physical
activity for several hours after the
extraction.
Pain - For discomfort use
Children's Tylenol, as directed for the age
of the child. If a medicine was prescribed,
then follow the directions on the bottle.
Please do not hesitate to contact the office
if there are any questions.
Back to Top
Care of Sealants
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.
Thus, cavities may still occur on the other
four exposed surfaces of the teeth. 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 or
hard candy, which tend to fracture the
sealant. Regular dental appointments are
recommended in order for your child's
dentist to verify that the sealants remain
in place. The American Academy of Pediatric
Dentistry 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, daily brushing and flossing,
and limiting the frequency of 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
significantly reduced.
Back to Top
Oral Discomfort After A Cleaning
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 salt water 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
if the discomfort persists for more than
seven days or if there are any questions.
Back to Top
|
