Pediatric Dental Procedure Recovery Care Guide
How To Care For Your Child’s Mouth After a Local Anesthetic (Numbness)
If your child just had a pediatric dental procedure that was in their lower jaw, the tongue, teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will most likely be numb or tingling.
If the procedure was in the upper jaw, the upper teeth, upper lip and surrounding tissue will be numb or even tingling as well.
Very young children don’t understand the effects of Novocain or local anesthesia. They might chew, scratch, suck, or play with the numb lip, tongue, cheek or mouth in general. This may cause irritations or they might even be severe enough to cause damage, swelling and abrasions to their mouth.
Monitor your child closely for at least two hours following pediatric dental procedures. It’s good practice to keep your child on a liquid or soft diet until the anesthetic has worn off or even refrain from eating or drinking anything at all until local anesthetics have completely wore off.
How to Care For Your Child’s Mouth After Sealants Were Applied
Sealants keep out plaque and food by forming a thin layer over very small openings in your child’s teeth known as “pits and fissures,” which decreases the risk of tooth decay. This layer is only over the biting surface of the teeth – it can’t be applied on the side and between teeth. Good oral hygiene, diet and nutrition are still very important when it comes to preventing tooth decay next to these sealants or in areas unable to be covered. For instance, parents should try to prevent their child from eating or drinking after brushing their teeth before bedtime even if they’ve had fluoride sealants applied. Pediatric dental sealants can last up to 10 years depending on how careful they are after the application.
Your child should also refrain from eating ice or hard candy, which may break the sealant down. Regular dental appointments are recommended in order for Dr. Marielena Torres, DDS to be certain the sealants remain in place and do their job which is preventing cavities!
The American Dental Association recognizes that sealants can play a significant role in preventing tooth decay in children. When properly applied and maintained, sealants can successfully protect the chewing surfaces of your child’s teeth in general. But it’s not a replacement for a total prevention program which includes regular visits to the dentist, the use of fluoride, daily brushing, daily flossing, and limiting the number of times sugary foods are given to your child. If parents help their child follow these practices and sealants are used on the child’s teeth, the risk of decay can be reduced or may even be eliminated! Dr. Marielena Torres is just as excited as you are when we don’t find any cavities at all!
What To Do if Your Child Experiences Oral Discomfort After a Dental Cleaning
A good pediatric dental cleaning often produces some bleeding and swelling post treatment. It may also cause some tenderness or discomfort for your child. This is not because of a “rough cleaning.” It’s often due to tender and inflamed gums from cleanings being overdue. We recommend the following for 2-3 days after cleaning was performed:
- A warm salt water rinse 2-3 times per day. (1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water)
- For pain or discomfort use Children’s Tylenol, Advil or Motrin as directed by the age of the child. This can make a huge difference if your child is experiencing any pain post procedure.
How To Care For Your Child’s Mouth After Receiving a Tooth Filling
If your child had to have a filling done, and if an anesthetic has been used, their lips, tongue and cheek may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Help your child avoid chewing any food and avoid any hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off. It is very easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while they are experiencing numbness or tingling.
It is normal to experience some hot, cold & pressure sensitivity after their pediatric dental appointment. Injection sites in the gums or cheeks may also be sore. Over the counter Ibuprofen (Motrin) or Tylenol (one tablet every 4 hours as needed for pain) can work well to eliminate pain or tenderness. You can have your child chew on the same side as their composite (tooth colored) fillings as soon as the anesthetic completely wears off, since those types of fillings are fully set as soon as you leave the office. If your child has received silver fillings, have them avoid chewing on that side for the next 8 hours since silver fillings take longer to completely set.
Caring for Your Child’s Mouth After Metal Crowns
Crowns and bridges are often completed in two appointments. Following anesthesia the teeth are prepped for a permanent bridge/crown and an impressions are taken. The impression is very important. Dr. Marielena Torres DDS may have to take more than one impression in some cases. Good impressions have a direct influence on the precision of your child’s permanent bridge or crown. After impressions are finished, a temporary crown will often be placed on the teeth for protection. The size, shape, and color of the temporaries don’t resemble the final restoration. A temporary crown can be easily removed, so extra care must be taken not to knock it loose before your child’s permanent crown is placed.
Don’t let your child chew sticky foods such as caramel or chewing gum. When flossing, use STANDARD floss and not those flossers with the handles on them. Pull the floss out the side and don’t pop it through contact with the tooth next to it. You will often not be able to floss between your child’s teeth by their temporary crown. If their temporary crown comes off, you can place some Fixodent (available at any pharmacy) inside it and put it back on, then call Dr. Marielena Torres DDS during normal business hours and we will re-cement it Don’t leave your child’s temporary crown off, even if they have no discomfort. If they feel the bite is not correctly balanced, please call for an appointment for a simple adjustment.
Caring For Your Child’s Mouth After Receiving a Pulpotomy
Monitor your child closely so that he/she does not bite their tongue, cheek or lips until the anesthesia effect wears off.
Avoid eating until the numbness from the general anesthesia wears off. Typically, this takes about ONE to TWO hours.
A temporary dental filling is placed to protect your treated tooth between appointments. It’s common for a small portion of your temporary filling to wear away or break off. If the entire filling falls out, please call Dr. Torres DDS so it can be replaced.
Your child should avoid eating, drinking water or rinsing for 30 minutes so the cement or filling which is placed over the tooth can cure.
Help your child avoid chewing food on the side of your mouth where the surgery was performed.
Your child should preferably have only soft diet like rice, macaroni, spaghetti, noodles, or similar foods for the first 1-2 days after the this procedure. Help your child avoid hard and hot food for 2-3 days such as chips, pizza crust, hard cereals, any crunchy foods.
Help your child avoid brushing the teeth on that area for that same night just after this treatment. Continue brushing and flossing as normal on the next day but use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush lightly.
Please ensure your child takes the prescribed medicines after this treatment. If your child experiences any side affects from their prescribed medicines, call Dr. Torres DDS immediately and our team will provide advice.
Parents should not a warm pack over the area of treatment as excessive heat can loosen the filling or cause damage to the treatment area.
Call us immediately if the child has any of these symptoms:
- Increasing pain or pain that lasts more than a few days
- Unusual Swelling or Pain
- Increasing sensitivity to heat and cold
- Inability to chew on the tooth
- Allergic reaction to medication
After your child’s pulpotomy a crown or cap is usually recommended. Failure to have the tooth properly restored with a permanent crown in a timely manner (generally within a few days) significantly increases the possibility of failure of the pulpotomy procedure or tooth fracture possible further damage. Please follow all recommended aftercare and call Kid’s World Pediatric Dentistry.
Caring For Your Child’s Mouth After Lip & Tongue Tie Procedure
Taking proper care of your child’s mouth following gum surgery is critical to the success of their treatment.
Don’t allow them to eat for about 3 hours following the surgery. Then, a soft or liquid diet, including warm soup or instant breakfast, is advised for the next 2-3 days. It’s best for your child to avoid carbonated drinks and hard, brittle foods such as chips, or other crunchy foods that can injure the surgical site. Drinking plenty of fluids and eating a well-balanced diet are important to your child’s recovery.
Moderate discomfort may begin as the anesthesia wears off. Children’s pain relievers may be recommended to relieve any tenderness or discomfort, and may be taken within the first hour after surgery. It’s important to take any antibiotics as it can be a major player in the healing process. If your child has a reaction to a medication such as nausea, or skin rash, stop taking it immediately and call Dr. Marielena Torres DDS.
Slight bleeding or oozing after the surgery can be normal and may occur at intervals for the first 24-48 hours. Help your child avoid rinsing or excessive spitting which can disrupt clotting, so don’t let them rinse for at least 4 hours.
If bleeding persists:
- Apply a moistened gauze pad, or tea bag, with moderate pressure to the bleeding site for 20 minutes. Repeat, if necessary.
- Help your child stay calm and quiet; lie down with the head elevated on 2-3 pillows.
- If the bleeding persists call Dr. Marielena Torres DDS and our staff will assist you.
Slight swelling is common in the healing process. To minimize excessive swelling, place an ice bag or a cold pack, or a moist compress over the involved site for 10-20 minute intervals. Repeat this several times as needed over the next 48 hours. If the swelling increases or discomfort develops, call our office.
It is extremely important to keep your child’s teeth and gums clean following surgery. The tissues in your child’s mouth will heal faster. Brush your child’s teeth very lightly the first night if recommended by Dr. Marielena Torres DDS. Then begin flossing the next day, allowing the floss to very gently touch the gums of the surgical area. Again, use traditional floss, not the floss with the built-in handles because they can get stuck. Don’t force the floss vigorously between the tooth and the gums as this will prevent the new attachment from developing normally. Also, refrain from using any irrigation devices such as the Water Pik or any tooth brush that is electronic. Gentle care is needed during the healing process.
What To Do If Your Child Is Biting Their Lip After a Pediatric Dental Procedure
Children who are new to pediatric dental care might experience numbness or tingling sensations in their lips, tongue or cheeks for several hours post-treatment. This may result in your child gnawing or biting their lips. It’s very important for parents to monitor their child and prevent them from doing any damage to their mouth until the numbness or tingling goes away. Here are some tips for dealing with your child biting their lip post-procedure:
- Pain relief: Use Tylenol or Motrin as needed for discomfort.
- Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling.
- Opt for soft, cold foods to minimize irritation.
- Avoid spicy or acidic foods that could aggravate the area.
Kid’s World Pediatric Dental and Dr. Marielena Torres DDS in San Antonio Texas always provides the best pediatric dental care for your child. Our staff will work together to guide parents on the best prevention possible for your child’s dental health as well as expert guidance for post procedure care. Thank you for choosing our pediatric dental practice.
Caring for Pediatric Dental Expanders
What exactly are dental expanders for children and why do some children need them?
No matter what name they go by, though, the purpose of dental expanders remains the same. It can be confusing at first because not all kids will need expanders, even if they are getting an early start on dental treatment. On the other hand, some get expanders as the first step in their care.
Why Are Dental Expanders needed in some cases to Improve Dental Health?
Dental Expanders and braces later in childhood increases the ability of your teeth to take on the extreme impact they may experience every day. Getting expanders at the right time can set your child up with excellent dental health while they are growing up!
Parents might question why their child might need some orthodontic care so early, when they still have all of their baby teeth. The dental expander is one reason why. It’s the first stage in braces and It is used when your dentist spots a problem in the way your child’s permanent teeth are growing in.
Dental Expanders help widen your child’s jaw or palate to make sure there will be enough room for the adult teeth to grow in safely. Getting started early sets your child up for the growth of their new permanent teeth, ensuring they’ll have room for them.
What Are Dental Expanders and How Are They Used?
Dental Expanders are like small, minimalistic braces. They get great results for the majority of children. There are two types of expanders. Depending on the case, a child might need one type or may use both types:
Upper Jaw Expanders: Upper jaw expanders connect to the child’s back molars. These expanders can be adjusted to widen in increments of about a quarter of a millimeter. They work with the gap between the two halves of the roofs of their mouths that children have as they grow up.
Lower Jaw Expanders: For Lower jaw expanders, there isn’t a gap in the lower jaw, and they work differently. Rather than exerting gentle pressure on the jaw, they gently push against teeth leaning inward. This moves the teeth into a straighter position, opening up more space on your child’s lower jaw.
What’s it like to have Dental Expanders?
Children quickly adapt to their dental expanders. The expanders need to be adjusted to be effective. Upper jaw expanders might get uncomfortable if they are not adjusted in the right position. If they are uncomfortable, parents should contact Dr. Torres DDS and her team will make some adjustments. However, It does take a few days to get used to talking with your new dental expanders. Depending on your child’s age, you might see occasional lisping or drooling. This usually passes within a few days and it is never a permanent thing.
What If parents spot a Gap After Using an Expander?
Because the front teeth are the first thing people see– not just in children, but people of any age – it is easier to see if front teeth change position. When a dental expander is utilized, it’s not out of the ordinary to see the two front teeth separate a tiny bit. At a certain stage, this is what you want to see.
As your child’s palate expands, all of their teeth are moving. Their teeth will spread into stronger alignment. If a tooth gap persists long into your child’s treatment, it may be a sign that your child needs braces later on.
Your child’s teeth should never hurt, sting, or feel sensitive as a result of this natural movement. And any gaps that appear will respond to timely treatment. So, parents shouldn’t worry about that however, be sure you work with your child to brush and floss often to prevent plaque between teeth.
Depending on how long your child’s dental expanders are in, Dr. Torres DDS will schedule follow-up appointments. Be sure to attend all of them. At each appointment, progress is evaluated and new x-rays may be taken. Dental Expanders are adjusted to improve treatment and reduce gaps.
How do we care for my child’s Dental Expanders?
Brushing every day is very important. Brush in the morning, before bed, and after meals. Brush your dental expanders as well, not just the teeth. This keeps bacteria from accumulating on your expanders. Also, help your child choose the right foods while they have dental expanders. It’s best to avoid sticky, gooey foods. The same goes for hard crunchy foods that are really hard to chew, like nuts very hard candy like Nerds, apples and chewing on ice. It’s best NOT to stress your child’s dental expanders or their teeth for that matter.
Don’t let your child chew on “non-food” items out of boredom such as their nails, pens, pencils, toys or anything that will put unnecessary pressure on their teeth or jaw. Most parents will find snacks that work well with their child’s dental expanders.
