Post-Op Instructions for Children
Dr. Paul Takemoto and our team want to help you to take care of your little one after dental treatment. That is why we provide post-op instructions in our office that can help your child recover comfortably and quickly after his or her appointment. As an added convenience, we have included post-op instructions for children here as well. We encourage you to contact Moorpark Smiles Dental at 805-553-1980 today if you have any questions or concerns or to book your child’s next visit with our dentist in Moorpark, California.
Numbness
If your child is numb following his or her dental appointment, keep a close eye as he or she can bite or pinch the cheek, tongue, or lip. We recommend that your child eat or drink food that does not require chewing until the numbness wears off. Things like broth, pudding, yogurt, and ice cream are great choices. Numbness typically lasts about two hours from the beginning of the dental appointment.
Dental Fillings
After having a dental filling placed, your child’s gums may be sore near the treated tooth. His or her treated tooth may also be sore. To help relieve this discomfort, have your child eat soft foods and chew on the opposite side of the mouth.
Tooth Extractions
If your child has a tooth extracted, have him or her bite on cotton gauze for about 20 minutes to stop the bleeding. Apply pressure for another 10 to 20 minutes if the bleeding continues. Avoid sharp food items like chips for three to four days after extraction, as they can poke the area. On the day of your child’s procedure, do not allow your child to drink from a straw, have carbonated beverages, or spit, as these can all disturb the extraction area and cause discomfort.
Dental Sealants
After dental sealants are placed, your child may resume regular eating and drinking immediately. To prevent fractures to his or her sealants, help your child avoid chewing on ice or hard candies. Sticky candies should also be avoided, as these can pull out dental sealants. Dental sealants do not prevent all decay, therefore brushing and flossing is still needed.
Discomfort
If your child is experiencing discomfort, give your child ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) in the appropriate dosage every four to six hours as needed. In many cases, children only need one dose, as they tend to recover more quickly after dental work than adults. If your child bit his or her tongue, cheek, or lip while numb, keep the area clean and use salt water rinses for discomfort.