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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
Your child has had local anesthetic for their dental
procedure:
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. Please
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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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