Post Op Instructions

Post Op InstructionsWhen your child visits his or her pediatric dentist for a procedure, you may have questions about what to do after treatment is completed. In an effort to ease your mind, our Sugar Land, TX pediatric and special needs pediatric dentistry team has prepared the following post op. instructions to ensure your child gets the best possible care.

In general, whatever your child’s pedodontist needs, due to the numbing process, your child's lip and cheek will be "asleep" for about two hours after treatment. During that time your child should not eat, or bite these irritated areas. For more specific care instructions from Drs. Caldwell and Steinbring—your trusted pediatric dentists—continue reading below.

Dental Crowns

If your child has had a stainless steel crown inserted by his or her pediatric dentist, slight bleeding may occur around the gums for two to three days. It is important to keep these areas clean during that period. You can do this by carefully brushing or rubbing gums around the cheek and tongue side with cotton gauze dipped in salt water.

Be sure to floss gently to remove food particles. Also, to speed healing, have your child use warm salt water rinses for the first couple of days following dental treatment. Routine brushing should resume after that.

Fillings

If your child has had a composite (white) or alloy (silver) filling, the filling will be hard and your child may chew on it as long as his or her lip and cheek are no longer asleep.

Tooth Extractions

If your child has had a tooth extracted, have him or her continue to bite on the gauze for 30 minutes after treatment, replacing it as necessary. Slight oozing and staining of saliva is normal and can be expected for at least one day.

Should HEAVY bleeding continue, call our Sugar Land, TX office. And if your child’s pediatric dentist placed any sutures, they should be removed in our office five to seven days after the extraction.

Restrict diet and liquids for the first 2 hours after the extraction. Following, only consume soft foods for the rest of the day and DO NOT USE A STRAW to drink liquids. Brushing, flossing, and vigorous rinsing should be avoided for 24 hours. Your child should rinse gently with warm salt water after meals in the meantime.

In Regards to Pain Medication

If your child has taken pre-medication such as Demerol and Phenergan, please restrict activity for approximately 3 to 4 hours after receiving treatment at our Sugar Land office. Your child may be slightly off balance and could have difficulty with physical activities such as bike riding, running, climbing, and other forms of exertion. If you child is small, it is not unusual for him or her to take a nap after receiving dental treatment, but during that time period do continue to monitor your child for arousal and cheek biting nonetheless. Tylenol for children can be given for discomfort every four hours. If pain continues, contact our office.

Learn More Today

If you have more questions about post op. dental treatment instructions for your child, don’t hesitate to reach our Sugar Land location. Or, to book an appointment with your pediatric and special needs pediatric dentist today, call (281) 565-5437. We look forward to helping your child smile brighter!