POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

Local Anesthesia for Fillings & Crowns

Your child will be numb for several hours in the area of the lips, cheeks, tongue, and the outside skin near the treated area.
You may give age-weight appropriate Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) to ease the post-operative discomfort and help the anesthesia wear off easier. You may give it every 4-6 hours as needed.
Your child may eat and drink immediately after the appointment, but give your child liquids or soft food. Make good choices – give them nothing they have to chew excessively while they are numb.
Take is easy for the rest of the day. Do not plan to return to activities or school this day.
Do not allow your child to chew, bite, suck, pick, or scratch the numb area. This can result in lip or cheek bite injury. The area will be very sore and swollen and will get better in 5-10 days. Call our clinic if this happens. Over the counter liquid Benadryl-Maalox 50/50 mix (swish and spit) works as a magic mouth rinse to help the pain after lip or cheek bite injury.
Your child may brush as normal.

Bite on gauze for 15-30 minutes to help control bleeding. We tell kids that “it looks a little red” where the tooth used to be and the gauze soaks it right up.
Soft/liquid diet for the first 1-2 days and nothing hard or crunchy like Doritos, Pretzels, or Pizza Crust. Cool/cold foods like milkshakes and crushed ice may feel best for the first 6-12 hours.
Do not use straws, rinse the mouth forcefully, or blow the nose for about 24 hours.
A towel on your child’s pillow will help, because saliva maybe “pink” for 24-48 hours.
Do not brush teeth in the extraction area for 24 hours after surgery.