Instructions Following Pediatric Dental Care

General Guidelines for all procedures:

Carefully follow all guidelines our office provides, and, most importantly, have your child practice good oral hygiene. Additional instructions following various types of treatment are listed below. In the event of an emergency, please call our office. If your child is experiencing a serious or life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.

Instructions Following Preventive Visits

Following a Prophy (Cleaning)

Your child may experience some tenderness for a day or two. If this persists, you may have them rinse with warm salt water 2-3 times per day. For discomfort, you may also give your child Children’s Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed for the age and weight of your child.

Following a Fluoride Treatment

Patients should not rinse, eat, or drink for at least 30 minutes to maximize the fluoride’s direct contact with the teeth.

Following Sealant Placement

Your child may notice that the tooth feels different because of the new sealant. The teeth and bite will feel normal again in a couple of days. Your child should avoid sticky, crunchy, or hard foods for 24 hours following the placement of the sealant.

Instructions Following Dental Procedures

Following Anesthesia

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. Remind your child to refrain from touching, biting, sucking, or playing with the numb area.

Following Restorative Treatment (Filling or Crown)

Make certain that your child is not eating or chewing while numb. Please make sure they do not bite their cheeks, lips, or tongue, as doing so can cause injury to the soft tissue. Your child should avoid sticky, crunchy, or hard foods for 24 hours. If your child experiences sensitivity or discomfort, you may give your child Children’s Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed for the age and weight of your child.

Following Pulp Treatment (Pulpotomy/Pulpectomy/Baby Root Canal)

If your child is experiencing sensitivity after this treatment, you may give your child Children’s Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed for the age and weight of your child. If sensitivity or discomfort continues for more than 24 hours, please get in touch with our office.

Following an Extraction

Please instruct your child not to rinse, spit, or drink through a straw. Have them keep their fingers and tongue away from the area. If unusual or sustained bleeding occurs, place slightly moistened cotton gauze firmly over the extraction area, and bite down or hold it in place for thirty minutes. Repeat every thirty minutes until the area is no longer bleeding. Maintain a soft diet for a day or two until the child feels comfortable eating normally again. Avoid strenuous exercise and physical activity for the rest of the day after the extraction. For discomfort, use Children’s Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed for the age and weight of your child. If sensitivity or discomfort continues for more than 24 hours, please get in touch with our office.