After Care / Post-Op Instructions

Extractions of Primary Teeth

• Your child will have a numb lip, cheek and/or tongue for 30 minutes to two hours following the extraction. Please monitor your child, making sure they don’t chew on that side until it is once again "awake".
  
• Keep your child’s diet soft for 24 hours. Avoid hard, crunchy foods
• Keep your child’s activity monitored for the remainder of the day - no high activity, please!
• Continue biting on pressure gauze for 30 minutes
• It is not uncommon to have a light bloodstain on the pillow the night of the extraction. Often just rubbing on the pillow while asleep will cause a mixture of saliva and blood flow that may cause concern. A small amount is within normal range.
• If bleeding persists the day after the extraction, please call the office at 757-496-8300

Extractions of Permanent Teeth

• DO NOT RINSE MOUTH TODAY. Tomorrow rinse mouth gently every 3 to 4 hours (especially after meals) using one-half teaspoon of salt to an 8 oz. glass of very warm water. Continue rinses for several days.
• BLEEDING. Continue to bite down with firm pressure on gauze pads placed over the extraction site for at least one-half hour. Following extractions, some bleeding is to be expected. If persistent bleeding occurs, replace gauze pads over bleeding area and bite down firmly for one-half hour. Repeat if necessary.
• SWELLING. Ice bag or chopped ice placed in a plastic bag and wrapped in a towel should be applied to operated area - one-half hour on and one-half hour off for 24 hours.
• PAIN. For mild to average pain use any over the counter medication you use for a headache. (Advil, Motrin, Tylenol) Use as directed. If the doctor feels you need something stronger, it will be prescribed for you.
• FOOD. Light diet is advisable during the first 24 hours. Cool, soft foods are best.
• BONY EDGES. Small sharp bone fragments may work through the gums during healing. These are not roots. If annoying, return to the office for their simple removal. They normally resolve on their own.

If any unusual symptoms occur, call the office at once at 757-496-8300. Proper care hastens recovery and prevents complications.

Fillings, Crowns and other Operative Procedures

• Following a procedure in which the lip or cheek are numb, be careful not to chew or eat on the affected side. Avoid hard crunchy foods at the next meal.
• A repair or new filling or crown makes a change, however small, in the way teeth fit together. The tongue and cheeks will notice a change and adapt to the new addition, too.
• Thermal sensitivity is not uncommon if the decay or preparation was deep, close to the nerve. If the tooth is responding and healing, sensitivity only lasts for a short time after the cold is introduced. Gradually over time the thermal sensitivity decreases, as the tooth develops a healed, protective layer.
• If a filling, crown, or other restoration feels "high" and does not allow the other teeth to close together, if may adjust itself in a day or two. If it continues to touch prematurely, it might need an adjustment at the office. Please call if you need to be examined.
• Pain might be experienced due to muscle tightness or tenderness following operative procedures. Common remedies would be Tylenol, Advil, Motrin or other over-the-counter medications. If the pain persists overnight and the doctor has not advised you to expect discomfort, please call the office for instructions at 757-496-8300.

Accidents with Trauma

First 24 hours

• Soft diet
• Apply cold compresses and/or Popsicle, Slurpies, and ice chips Warm salt water rinses after meals, if child is old enough to rinse out
• Tylenol for discomfort, not aspirin
• Cut food in small pieces, and chew with the back molar teeth If patient is a toddler, keep hard toys away for a few days
• Gum tissue may appear black and blue and swollen. This resolves quickly, in 48-72 hours If gum tissue was involved and bleeding, there will be traces of blood on the pillow after naps or sleeping the first 24 hours.

Monitor after initial healing

• Gum tissue may appear discolored or gray as part of the normal healing process. If gum tissue is bright red and /or fever is present, the child should be examined; antibiotics are usually indicated.
• Change in tooth color means internal bleeding; however, the tooth may recover and remain healthy.
• Blister or pimple on the gum tissue above the tooth means the tooth needs attention.

Braces or Orthodontic Appliances

• Every retainer, appliance or braces are custom designed for an individual patient. Care is taken so that they fit properly, but the newness will often make clear speech difficult for a few days. Speak slowly, until the tongue becomes accustomed to the new addition.
• Pain can occur when orthodontic treatment first begins. Muscle soreness and tooth soreness can last for 24-48 hours. During any sore periods of time, a soft diet, with food cut into small bites will minimize discomfort.
• White wax is available to pinch off and place on a sharp archwire, bracket or band. The wax that you received at the office is also available in grocery stores and pharmacies. This will protect the irritated cheek or gum tissue.

Content used with permission from James McIlwain, D.D.S.