Fillings
|
Following your child’s filling appointment, the lips, cheeks and tongue may be numb for a few more hours if anesthetic has been used. Be careful with any hot foods or beverages because your child may not be able tell if it is burning them. Watch your child carefully for at least two hours to make sure they do not chew on their lip, cheek, or tongue. It would be best to give your child liquids such as pudding, jello, smoothies or milkshakes until the numbness wears off.
Your child may chew with tooth-colored (composite) fillings as soon as you leave our office. Unlike the old silver fillings, tooth-colored fillings are set during the procedure. Just keep in mind that your child may be numb for a few more hours.
It is normal for your child to experience some hot, cold and pressure sensitivity after a filling has been completed. This should subside after a few days. If your child continues to experience sensitivity or discomfort, or complains that their bite feels strange, an adjustment may be necessary. Please contact us for an appointment at (336) 887-9277
|
CLOSE - Fillings
Extractions
|
After a tooth is removed, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. Make sure your child continues to bite on the gauze “band-aid” for about 30 minutes after the appointment. Light bleeding after you remove the gauze is normal especially if it is mixed with saliva. If heavy bright red or dark clotted bleeding persists, have your child bite on a moist tea bag – tea has an ingredient that helps promote clotting.
Once the blood clot forms, it is important not to disturb or dislodge it.
• Do not let your child drink with a straw or use anything that creates a sucking motion for 24 hours after the tooth has been pulled.
• Do not let your child rinse, spit, or brush for 24 hours.
• Restrict your child’s diet to soft foods for the next 24 hours.
• Remember your child may be numb for a few hours after the appointment, so be sure to test hot foods or drinks to prevent burns.
• Watch your child to make sure lips, cheeks, and tongue are not being bitten or chewed on.
• Limit strenuous activities for the next 24 hours so blood flow is not increased and there is less chance of prolonged bleeding.
• If your child begins to swell, apply a cold compress for thirty minutes on, then thirty minutes off, for the first 24 hours. The next day you may use a warm compress.
• You may give your child Tylenol or Motrin for any discomfort; use as directed on the box.
• If your child was prescribed an antibiotic, make sure it is finished as directed to prevent a return of infection, even if signs or symptoms of an infection have subsided.
• Resume normal oral care after 24 hours, including brushing twice a day and flossing every night. Having good oral hygiene will promote healing.
Your child should feel normal after a couple of days and will be able to resume normal activities. If your child has severe pain, swelling, or prolonged bleeding, please let us know. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office at (336) 887-9277.
|
CLOSE - Extractions
Fluoride Application
|
Following your child’s cleaning appointment, a topical form of fluoride is usually applied onto the teeth. It is in the form of a gel, varnish or foam and may be delivered using a fluoride tray or by simply painting it on the teeth.
In order to make it more effective and allow it to soak onto the teeth, make sure your child does not eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after the appointment. If a varnish has been used on your child, he or she may feel a sticky residue on the teeth for the rest of the day, until you brush that night. This is normal and just means the fluoride varnish is sticking to the teeth and doing its job!
These treatments are perfectly safe and recommended every six months to help strengthen the outer layer of the teeth (enamel) and prevent tooth decay. Your child is supervised during the application to make sure no fluoride is swallowed or ingested.
It is extremely rare for a child to have a reaction to fluoride. However, if you notice anything strange please contact us immediately at (336) 887-9277.
|
CLOSE - Fluoride Application
Space Maintainer (Spacer)
|
After a baby tooth has been taken out or lost too early for the permanent tooth to come in behind it, your child may be given a space maintainer. This holds the space open and allows the permanent tooth to take its normal place in your child’s mouth.
Space maintainers may vary in size and shape, depending on how many teeth were taken out. They are attached by cementing bands on back teeth (much like the bands used on back teeth in braces).
In order to prevent the space maintainer from getting loose or being lost, it is important to keep your child from eating anything chewy, sticky or tacky for the life of the spacer. Space maintainers are removed when your child’s permanent teeth begin coming in. We will check at every appointment to see if it is time to take the spacer out.
Make sure you and your child take extra care of any teeth touching the spacer. Always brush twice a day and floss every night. When space maintainers become loose, it is easy for food and bacteria to get caught between the tooth and the spacer, causing inflammation, decay or infection. So it is important to make sure your child’s spacer is not loose and is cleaned well every day.
Your child may experience some discomfort for the first few days after a spacer has been cemented. This is normal and nothing to worry about. If the pain persists, please call our office. If any stains or spots develop on teeth, or the spacer comes loose or falls out, contact us immediately for an appointment at (336) 887-9277.
|
CLOSE - Space Maintainer (Spacer)
Pulp therapy / Pulpotomy
|
If your child’s tooth had decay that went into the nerve of the tooth, a pulpotomy, or a baby tooth root canal was performed. This is not as invasive as a root canal on an adult tooth, but may still cause some discomfort.
• You may give your child Tylenol or Motrin as directed for pain.
• Remember your child had anesthetic and will be numb for a few hours after the procedure.
• Watch him or her closely to make sure the tongue, lips and cheeks are not being chewed on.
• Test any hot foods or liquids to prevent burns because your child can’t tell if it’s too hot.
• Remember that crowns are cemented on, but chewy or sticky foods may weaken the bond between the tooth and the crown and make the crown become loose or fall out. Chewing gum, fruit chews, caramel, and any tacky candy are not advised.
• If antibiotics or pain medications were prescribed for your child, give them as directed. Always complete antibiotic treatments as prescribed, even if signs or symptoms have subsided, to prevent a return of infection.
• If you notice any bleeding, swelling, or blistering around the tooth, give us a call immediately at (336) 887- 9277.
|
CLOSE - Pulp therapy / Pulpotomy
|