Post Op Procedures

When your child has had a procedure at the dentist’s office—whether  a routine cleaning or some more advanced treatment—you want to know what to do next: in that time period following the dental procedure. Here are our recommendations:

Dental Examination/X-Rays and Prophylaxis (Teeth Cleaning)

1. After a dental cleaning (prophylaxis), let your child wait for 20 to 30 minutes prior to eating or drinking. This allows the surfaces of the teeth to full absorb the fluoride delivered in the cleaning process.
2. If your child has had fluoride varnishes applied, your child can eat and drink right away. These materials require only a short time to “set”. However, your child should not brush the teeth for six hours.

Dental Treatment Without Use of Local Anesthetics

1. Although your child’s mouth will not be numb, we still recommend waiting for any dental materials we use to fully set. The composite or tooth-colored fillings harden by exposure to a dental light as they are placed. However, the material needs the opportunity to “rest” for 30 minutes to one hours before your child chews any food.
2. Drinking liquids immediately after the treatment is all right if the beverages are not extremely cold or hot. Such temperature extremes can cause several temperature changes within the filling.
3. Your child can brush and floss the teeth normally after you arrive home.
4. It is recommended that your child avoid sticky, chewy candies such Fruit Roll Ups and caramels. Avoidance will help protect the placed sealants (protective materials applied to the deep grooves of the molars) and composite or tooth-colored fillings.

Dental With Use of Local Anesthetics

1. Dental anesthetics numb not only your child’s tooth but the surrounding gums, tongue and lips as well.
2. Usually, dental treatment in the lower jaw causes a more severe numbness. Due to the way that the anesthetic is administered, a wider area can be affected. This area may include the tongue. Anesthesia for the upper teeth is more local but can include the cheeks and upper lip.
3. Following the dental treatment in which local anesthetics were used, watch your child carefully for at least two hours. Do not allow your child to eat during that period. Some children do not understand the effects of local anesthesia and may want to chew, scratch or suck the numb area. This can cause serious damage to the tissues, which will be very painful once the anesthetic wears off.
4. You can place a piece of folded gauze in your child’s mouth that your child can bite on. This will help keep the mouth free from injury.
5. There may be mild soreness associated with the treatment. If necessary, use children’s Tylenol or Motrin, according to package directions. If severe pain persists, contact our office.