Post-Op Instructions

In an effort to provide safe, comfortable care, we encourage you to review our pre- and post-operative instructions, which are intended to facilitate a smooth operation and safer recovery.

Post-op Instructions Zirconia “White Colored” Crowns

If your child receives a resin crown, please keep in mind that these are not natural teeth.
They’ll be more likely to fracture if not cared for properly
This cement takes about 12 hours to achieve its final set. A soft diet for the rest of the day is suggested.
Crowns may come off if your child eats sticky candies, chewing gum, lollipops, etc. Please avoid these as long as your child has any crowns on his/her teeth.
It is not unusual for the gum tissue around the crown to be red, and or irritated for several days. Salt-water rinses can be used.
Brush the area gently today; thereafter you may resume normal brushing and flossing.
If the crown is on a baby tooth, it will fall out with the tooth when the permanent tooth is ready to erupt.
Should a crown become loose, please remove it and contact the office. This is not an emergency as the tooth under the crown is repaired and should not cause any discomfort to the child
Avoid biting into hard foods like apples or carrots
Refrain from using your teeth to open sports bottles or water bottles with a sippy top
Avoid using your teeth to open wrappers
As always, avoid sticky candy such as suckers, taffy, Starburst, Tootsie Rolls etc.

Post-op Instructions For Space Maintainers

The Space Maintainer that your child has had placed today is cemented onto the tooth with a dental cement that contains fluoride.
This cement takes about 12 hours to achieve its final set. A soft diet for the rest of the day is suggested.
Space Maintainers may come off if your child eats sticky candies, chewing gum, lollipops, etc. Please avoid these as long as your child has any Space Maintainers on his/her teeth.
It is not unusual for the gum tissue around the Space Maintainer to be red, and or irritated for several days. Salt-water rinses can be used.
Brush the area Gently today, thereafter you may resume normal brushing and flossing.
Should a Space Maintainer become loose, please remove it and contact the office. This is not an emergency.

Post-op Instructions Pulpotomy

This is treatment of the nerve of the tooth after it has been exposed by decay or fracture. A tooth that has had a nerve treatment is generally covered with a stainless steel crown for protection, and there is normally not much discomfort after this procedure.

Post-op Instructions For Stainless Steel Crowns

The Crown that your child has had placed today is cemented onto the tooth with a dental cement that contains fluoride.
This cement takes about 12 hours to achieve its final set. A soft diet for the rest of the day is suggested.
Crowns may come off if your child eats sticky candies, chewing gum, lollipops, etc. Please avoid these as long as your child has any crowns on his/her teeth.
It is not unusual for the gum tissue around the crown to be red, and or irritated for several days. Salt-water rinses can be used.
Brush the area gently today; thereafter you may resume normal brushing and flossing.
If the crown is on a baby tooth, it will fall out with the tooth when the permanent tooth is ready to erupt.
Should a crown become loose, please remove it and contact the office. This is not an emergency as the tooth under the crown is repaired and should not cause any discomfort to the child.

Oral Hygiene of Composites (White Fillings)

Composites rely on EXCELLENT oral hygiene (cleanliness of the teeth) for longevity, durability, and esthetics (looks) Plaque buildup on these teeth will reduce the success rate of your child’s fillings(s). It will also contribute to secondary decay, risking the survival rate of the tooth by new decay growing closer or into the pulp or nerve of the tooth.

Children under the age of six require an adult or parent’s help in proper brushing and flossing habits at home. This will help ensure the appearance of your child’s filling(s) and also help to keep the composite intact.

Good eating habits will also contribute to the success of the anterior composite. Biting into chewy, sticky, or hard foods should be avoided at all times. These foods can chip or cause total loss of the filling(s).

Our office policy is to replace a filling that we have previously placed (with in 1 year) if it breaks or fails due to a possible flaw in the material. There will be a charge for a re-placement if your child’s oral hygiene is poor and/or the gingival tissues are not healthy.

Your child’s dental health is our number one goal at My First Dentist. Please follow these recommendations for your child. A happy, healthy smile encourages your child’s confidence.

After Surgery

Once the procedures have been completed, your child will be taken to the recovery room where nurses will carefully check his or her vital signs. The effects of general anesthesia can last for many hours. Post op instructions will be given along with the necessary prescriptions if needed.

Your child’s throat may remain slightly sore for 1 to 2 days after general anesthesia.
Your child’s gums and mouth may be sore for several days afterward, depending on the dental procedure.
Use caution when your child eats and drinks for about 30 to 40 minutes after the procedure, soft foods are recommended.
Due to the placement of the tube during surgery, your child may feel dizzy or feel like vomiting.
Give your child only soft foods for the first few hours after undergoing anesthesia.

After Local Anesthetic

Your child has had a local anesthetic (numbing) for their dental procedure. If the dental work was in the lower jaw, your child’s lip, cheek, teeth, and tongue on the side that was treated will feel numb (or asleep) for approximately TWO HOURS following the procedure. If the procedure was on the top jaw, the teeth, lip and some of the cheek will be numb.

Often, children do not understand the effects of local anesthesia. They may chew, scratch, suck or play with the lip, tongue, or cheek because it is numb. Doing so may cause minor irritations or they may be severe enough to cause swelling and abrasions to the tissue. Please monitor your child closely for approximately two to three hours following the appointment. It is often wise to keep your child on a liquid or soft diet until the anesthetic has worn off.

The dental procedure that was done on your child will require good oral hygiene practices to ensure maximum longevity. Please, floss and brush the teeth, gums and the dental work and refrain from sticky and chewy candy that may dislodge your dental work.

Caring for Sealants

A preventative sealant has just been placed on one or more of your child’s teeth in order to prevent cavities in the chewing surface of the back teeth. Sealants do not protect the four other surfaces of each tooth. Routine brushing and flossing are still necessary to prevent cavities.

Following its application, a 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 may also 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.
Always avoid chewing on ice cubes, jaw breakers, cough drops or other hard and crunchy foods. The sealant may chip or break if these foods are eaten especially just after placement.
Sealants can remain in place for many years if they receive proper care. Dr. Darville will evaluate the integrity of the sealants at every checkup appointment.

Post-op Instructions For Extractions

Remember your child’s cheek, lips and tongue may be “asleep” (numb) for several hours after treatment
Have your child bite on the provided gauze for at least 30 minutes or until bleeding stops
Administer children’s Tylenol BEFORE the numbness wears off and every 4 hours as needed.
Avoid allowing your child to use a straw or spit for the next 24 hours.
After 24 hours, have your child rinse with warm salt water 2-3 times a day.
Do not allow your child to participate in strenuous activities the first 24 hours
Cool food, ice-cream, popsicles are okay and will help soothe the area after treatment
A small amount of pink stained saliva on the child’s pillow the first night is nothing to be alarmed about. However, if the bleeding continues or is heavy, CALL THE OFFICE (394-5439).

Post-op Instructions After Laser Frenectomy

Avoid sharp, spicy, and acidic foods / liquids for the first 72 hours.
Post-op discomfort will likely only be mild and can be managed with an over-the-counter medication such as children’s liquid Motrin or Tylenol.
A “white soft scab” will appear for the first 7-10 days while the frenectomy site is healing. This is not an infection and is simply a covering over the healing soft tissue.
Lasers are antibacterial so infection is very unlikely, but feel free to rinse gently with 0.12% Chlorhexidine/warm salt water or dab the rinse onto the surgical site.
For the first 24 hours, cold beverages, ice, “freezies”, or “popsicles” can be applied gently to the surgical site to help minimize swelling.
Brush your child’s teeth normally but be careful not to disrupt the soft tissue while it is healing.
About 7-10 days after the frenectomy performed today, a short post-op visit will be necessary to evaluate healing.
Practice lip tie/ tongue tie exercises 2x/daily.
Apply Vitamin E capsules 2x daily to the area.

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, give us a call to schedule an appointment. 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.
Maintain a soft diet for 2 weeks, 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 you have any questions

Trauma Post Operative Instructions For Patient With A Splint

Take All Antibiotics If prescribed by the doctor
If Splint Loosens Contact office immediately
Salt Water rinses recommended for at least 3 days Or Chlorhexidine If prescribed
Maintain soft diet for 2-3 weeks Examples: Mashed potatoes, Jello, Yogurt, Pudding, Applesauce, Grits, etc
No biting into anything with front teeth
Avoid Contact Sports (Including Band Instruments that Involves The Mouth)
Please do not hesitate to call us with any concerns