|

Care of the
Mouth after Local Anesthetic
Care of the Mouth
after Trauma
Care of the Mouth
after Extractions
Care of Sealants
Oral Discomfort
after a Cleaning
Care of the Mouth
after Local Anesthetic
-
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.
-
Monitor your child closely 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 Trauma
-
Please keep the
traumatized area as-clean-as possible. A soft wash cloth
often works well during healing to aid the process.
-
Watch for
darkening of traumatized teeth. This could be an indication
of a dying nerve (pulp).
-
If the swelling
should re-occur, our office needs to see the patient
as-soon-as possible. Ice should be administered during the
first 24 hours to keep the swelling to a minimum.
-
Watch for
infection (gum boils) in the area of trauma. If infection is
noticed - call the office so the patient can be seen
as-soon-as possible.
-
Maintain a soft
diet for two to three days, or until the child feels
comfortable eating normally again.
-
Avoid sweets or
foods that are extremely hot or cold.
-
If antibiotics or
pain medicines are prescribed, be sure to follow the
prescription as directed.
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. 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, Advil, or Motrin 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.
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 be certain the sealants remain
in place.
The American Dental
Association 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, the use of fluoride, daily
brushing and flossing, and limiting the number of times
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
reduced or may even be eliminated!
[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 7 days or if there are any questions.
[Back to Top
|
|