After extractions:
1.Please do not allow your child to rinse or spit excessively or the blood clot will not stabilize in the extraction site and your child will continue bleeding. Rinsing and swishing creates suction in the mouth which is not good for the healing process. Do not allow your child to drink through a straw as this also creates suction in the mouth.
2.Your child may be numb after a filling has been completed. We use a short-acting anesthetic for children that wears off within 45 minutes. Please watch your child during this time so that he/she does not chew on their tongue, lips, or cheeks. Children tend to do this because their mouth feels strange, but they can injure themselves and have pain once the anesthetic wears off.
3. Give your child their recommended dosage of Tylenol or Motrin for children every 4-6 hours as needed for the first 24 hours after his/her extraction.
4. Excessive excercise in sports is not recommended for at least 24 hours after an extraction.
5. Soft food is recommended for the first 24 hours after an extraction (e.g. mashed potatoes, chicken soup, ice cream, popsicles)
6. If your child develops a fever or feels worse and not better 3-4 days after their extraction, please call your dentist. This usually does not occur with extraction of baby teeth but may mean that your child has an infection.
After fillings:
1.Your child may be numb after a filling has been completed. We use a short-acting anesthetic for children that wears off within 45 minutes. Please watch your child during this time so that he/she does not chew on their tongue, lips, or cheeks. Children tend to do this because their mouth feels strange, but they can injure themselves and have pain once the anesthetic wears off.
2. Your child may eat on his/her filling immediately if it is a permanent tooth-colored filling or within a half-hour if it is a temporary sedative filling.