Post-operative Instruction
Please click on the following procedure that your child had for post-operative instruction.
Please follow these instructions following your fluoride varnish treatment
1. Fluoride varnish will remain on your teeth for approximately 4-6 hours. Please follow the guidelines below during that time only:
– Do not brush or floss.
– Avoid hot beverages.
– Avoid hard or crunchy foods.
– Avoid products containing alcohol.
– Avoid other “over the counter” fluoride items such as toothpastes, gels, and rinses.
2. Please resume the activities above following the expiration of the 6 hour window.
3. DO NOT use your prescription fluoride medications such as Gel-Kam or Periomed for three days AFTER treatment.
4. A thorough brushing and flossing of your teeth (after the six hours window) will remove any remaining traces of your fluoride varnish.
Please follow these instructions following the placement of your child’s dental sealants.
- Once sealants are done, your child may resume normal eating and drinking.
- Sealant may feel a bit high when biting down. This will gradually wear away from the high points of the teeth and stay in the pits and grooves. Sealants also may leave a sour taste in your child’s mouth, this will quickly disappear. Your child may rinse with water and/or eat immediately after sealant placement.
- The sealants placed today are guaranteed by this office for 2 years if your child attends his/ her check-up and cleaning appointments every 6 months.
- Your child should avoid hard candies and chewing ice to prevent fractures of his/ her sealants.
- Your child should avoid sticky candies that could pull out his/ her sealants.
- Sealants do not prevent all decay. Flossing is still needed to protect the sides of your child’s teeth.
1. No eating or drinking anything for 30 mintues
2. If there’s stain on the child face, this stain should disappear on its own within one to three weeks. You can wash the area thoroughly with soap and water, 3% peroxide.
3. Tooth-colored fillings that are exposed to SDF may change color. These may be able to be polished off.
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1. The sensation of being numb after the appointment is typically the most challenging aspect for a child to understand
2. It may take 1-4 hours for the numbness to wear off
3. Avoid eating foods that require much chewing (a soft food diet is recommended)
4. Monitor your child closely so that he/she does not bite their tongue, cheek or lips
1. If your child is numb, please follow the post-op instructions for numbness
Avoid sticky, hard candies and chewing
2. on ice to prevent breaking the filling or crown
3. Avoid using front teeth to bite directly into hard food such as apples, carrots and corn on the cob
4. Limit drinking or eating dark colored beverages and foods as this may cause staining and discoloration of the resin material
5. It is important to note that resin fillings are prone to recurrent decay (new decay around the filling margin) and it should be brushed and flossed like a natural tooth
6. For any discomfort, Tylenol or Ibuprofen is recommended
1. Your child will be numb so please follow the post-op instructions for numbness
2. To seat the crown or spacer correctly, work must be done just below the gumline; therefore, expect your child’s gums to be sore for 2-3 days. Your child’s gum tissue may bleed upon brushing for the next few days. To help with healing, keep the area clean by gently brushing two to three times a day and flossing
3. It may take a few days for your child to adjust to the crown or spacer. Do not let your child pick or pull at the crown or spacer as continuous force and pressure can pull it off
4. Your child should avoid sticky, hard candies (i.e. taffy, suckers, starbursts, caramels) for the life of the crown or spacer. Although it is cemented on to the tooth structure, these sticky foods can cause the crown or spacer to become loose
1. Have your child bite on the provided gauze until bleeding is controlled, which may take up to 30 minutes
2. Remember that your child’s cheek, lips and tongue may be numb for approximately 2-4 hours after the procedure
3. Avoid sippy cups, bottles, straws and pacifiers for the first 24 hours after the procedure. The sucking action may cause prolonged bleeding
4. Avoid salty, spicy, acidic or crunchy foods for the first 24 hours as this may irritate the extraction site. Cold and/or soft foods are a great choice (i.e. ice cream, applesauce, mac and cheese, etc.)
5. Administer children’s Tylenol or Motrin for any discomfort
6. Do not allow your child to participate in strenuous activity for the first 24 hours as this may increase bleeding from the extraction site
7. A small amount of oozing is normal; however, if bleeding becomes heavy have your child bite on a gauze or tea bag for 15 minutes
8. If bleeding continues or is not controlled, call our office immediately
PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY……………………………………..
Your child will probably remain drowsy for a while during the day and may likely want to sleep for a short period. Please follow these instructions to help your child today.
1. Limit oral intake to clear liquid for the first few hours. Begin with water and follow with sweet liquids such as sport drinks, clear juice and soda as tolerated. If teeth were extracted, do not use straw. Give your child small sips of lukewarm, 7Up or similar drink. This helps calm the stomach. Also clear liquids such as broth can be given in small amounts.
2. NO SOLID FOOD (milk is also considered a solid food) should be given until your child can walk steadily. Soft food can be consumed following liquids as tolerated, such as scramble eggs, apple sauce, yogurt, mashed potatoes, and soups. Then, you can give small amounts at a time of toast, crackers, rice, etc. If your child is not hungry, do not force him/her to eat, but encourage as much liquid as tolerated.
3. DO NOT allow your child to sleep for more than 1 hour at a time. Wake him/her up for about 5 minutes each hour and give small amounts of liquid. Let your child cry for a little if he/she wishes. The child wears off the medication a little faster this way.
4. Get sharp furniture and lamp cords away from where the child will sleep. Do not place your child on a high bed or couch as he/she may wake suddenly and try to get up in which case he/she could fall.
5. Make sure your child does not bite, chew or suck the inside of the cheek or lip. Some areas of the mouth may remain numb (asleep) for 2 hours where work done.
6. Give proper amounts Children’s Tylenol or Children Motrin if you feel your child is uncomfortable from the dental treatment. Remember, some soreness is to be expected the first day or two.
For some children, a fever of up to 101 degree Fahrenheit may develop for the first 12 hours. Children’s Tylenol Elixir every 3 to 4 hours with plenty of liquids will tend to alleviate this condition as well as treat any postoperative discomfort.
7. It is advisable that you not allow your child to play outside today. He/she may still be unsteady enough to cause problems with balance and injury could result.
8. Reassure your child that you are “proud” of his/her achievement of getting the dental treatment completed.
We want to achieve as much possible reinforcement as possible for your child.
IF VOMITING OCCURS AND PERSISTS BEYOND 4 HOURS, IF TEMPERATURE REMAIN ELEVATED BEYOND 24 HOURS, OR IF YOUR CHILD IS NOT “UP AND AROUND” AFTER FOUR (4) HOURS, OR IF YOU HAVE OTHER SERIOUS CONCERNS FOLLOWING GENERAL ANESTHESIA, PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE AT (707) 685-9819