Post Operative Instructions
IN OFFICE DENTAL TREATMENT
Every child reacts differently to local anesthetic. Almost all children get a little upset and may cry some when the anesthesia is initially wearing off. For some children the numb feeling wears off quickly, while for others it may take several hours. In general expect your child to be numb for 1 – 1.5 hours after you leave the office. It is important that you wait until your child’s anesthesia wears off before feeding them so that they don’t bite on their cheek.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS FROM THE DENTAL TREATMENT:
Some mouth soreness is to be expected if your child had some teeth extracted or some fillings or crowns placed. New fillings and crowns often feel strange initially. Occasionally the gums around new crowns can be red or grayish looking, inflamed and bleed with brushing. This normally clears up within 1-2 days provided the area has been kept clean. It is important to begin brushing around new fillings the same day that they are placed. If your child is having some sensitivity you can run their toothbrush under hot water to make it softer or have them rinse with warm salt water to sooth the tissue.
Because there is saliva in your child’s mouth clotting will not occur in the same way that it does elsewhere on their body. Some minor bleeding, especially from extraction sites is expected and can normally occur for several hours. Remember that a little bit of blood mixed with a lot of saliva can look like a lot of “red stuff”. Any bleeding from extractions can be controlled by having your child bite on some folded gauze placed over the extraction site for 20 minutes.
Pain - Because of expected discomfort, give your child either Children’s Motrin or Children’s Tylenol “by the clock” for today. “By the clock” means every 4-6 hours for Tylenol and every 6-8 hours for Motrin. Having one of these medications in their bloodstream will insure that your child remains comfortable, it is much easier to prevent the onset of discomfort by having these medications in your bloodstream then it is to try and take them once you are uncomfortable.
FUTURE APPOINTMENTS: Unless otherwise instructed by the doctor your child does not need an official follow up visit. However, if your child is having problems, or if you have any questions please call the clinic at any time (day or night).
GENERAL ANESTHESIA DENTAL PATIENTS
Every child reacts differently to general anesthesia. Almost all children get upset and cry some when the anesthesia is initially wearing off. Some are angry and combative. Some children wake up quickly, leave the hospital within an hour and a half and recover almost completely within several hours. Other children wake up more slowly, can be at the hospital for several hours and can be tired for the rest of the day. Almost all of the children are back to normal by the next morning.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS FROM THE GENERAL ANESTHESIA:
Nausea and vomiting, sore throat, hoarseness, sore nose, bleeding from the nose, drowsiness, irritability, sleep and a rise in temperature (fever) are possible post-anesthesia complications.
Eating - If your child is hungry, let them eat a small amount of soft food first (yogurt, Jell-O or soups). Wait 10-15 minutes if they do not experience any nausea or vomiting, let them eat a little bit more and wait again. If after this first 30 minutes they feel fine then they are ok to eat normally. Keep the food soft and easily chewable for the first day to minimize any discomfort your child may have from chewing and swallowing. Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids.
Activities - Plan on a quiet day to allow your child to recover from the general anesthetic. Closely supervise any activities for the rest of the day. Your child may take a nap after you get home, if he/she does go to sleep, check regularly on them to make sure they are not getting sick to their stomach and are breathing normally.
Pain - Because of expected discomfort and a slight fever, give your child either Children’s Motrin or Children’s Tylenol “by the clock” for the next 2 days. “By the clock” means every 4-6 hours for Tylenol and every 6-8 hours for Motrin. Having one of these medications in their bloodstream will insure that your child remains comfortable, it is much easier to prevent the onset of discomfort by having these medications in your bloodstream then it is to try and take them once you are uncomfortable.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS FROM THE DENTAL TREATMENT:
Some mouth soreness is to be expected if your child had some teeth extracted or some fillings or crowns placed. New fillings and crowns often feel strange initially. Any bleeding from extractions can be controlled by having your child bite on some folded gauze placed over the extraction site for 20 minutes. Occasionally the gums around new crowns can be red or grayish looking, inflamed and bleed with brushing. This normally clears up within several days.
FUTURE APPOINTMENTS: We would like to see your child in 1-3 weeks to check on their healing and to see how they are doing. However, if your child is having problems, or if you have any questions please call the clinic at any time (day or night).