Pediatric Denist New Jersey

*POST ANESTHESIA INSTRUCTIONS*

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Your child has had dental anesthesia for their dental procedure.

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• If the procedure was in the lower jaw – the tongue, teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will be numb or asleep possibly for several hours.

• If the procedure was in the upper jaw – the teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will be numb or asleep possibly for several hours.

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Many children do not understand the effects of local anesthesia and may chew, bite, suck, pick, or scratch the numb area. This can cause a very SORE AND SWOLLEN area that will get better in 5 to 10 days. Call our office if this happens. Ice pack and over the counter liquid Benadryl-Maalox 50-50 mix (swish and spit) works as a magic mouth rinse to help the pain after a lip or cheek-bite injury.

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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.

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Your child may brush as normal if they have had a dental filling or crown.

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Your child may experience cold and heat sensitivity and some gum soreness; this usually subsides within a few days to two (2) weeks.

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*CARE OF THE MOUTH AFTER EXTRACTIONS*

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• Patients who have had DENTAL EXTRACTIONS follow all instructions above and;

• Some bleeding is to be expected. Bite on the gauze for 15-30 minutes to help control bleeding. A wet tea bag can be used in place of the gauze. We tell the 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 until the child feels comfortable eating normally again. Nothing hard or crunchy like Doritos, pretzels, or pizza crust. Cool or cold foods: shakes, crushed ice may feel best for the first 6-12 hrs. 

• Do not use straws or rinse forcefully or blow the nose for about 24 hours.

• Do not spit excessively.

• Do not drink a carbonated beverage (Coke, Sprite, etc) for the remainder of the day.

• Keep fingers and tongue away from the extraction area.

• Do not swim for the remainder of the day.

• Do not rinse the mouth for several hours.

• Avoid strenuous exercise or physical activity for several hours after the extraction.

• After the appointment, give age-weight appropriate Acetaminophen (TYLENOL), Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) to help alleviate any possible post extraction pain. You may give it every 4-6 hours as needed. Take prescription medications as directed.

• A towel on your child’s pillow will help because saliva may be “pink” for 24-48 hrs.

• Do not brush teeth in an extraction area for 24 hours after surgery.