|
Post Operative Instructions
(Pre-Developed Sample)
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
-
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.
-
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.
[Back to Top]
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.
[Back to Top]
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.
[Back to Top]
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!
[Back to Top]
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.
[Back to Top]
|