PEDIATRIC PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS SATELLITE BEACH

Quick Dental Guide for Kids & Parents

What should you do after your child has had a cleaning? What should they NOT do? Rather than searching for these answers in reference to a variety of procedures online, we’ve gone ahead and addressed them right here. After reading over everything below, if you still have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out.

 

Instructions Following a Prophy (Cleaning)

Your child may experience some tenderness for a day or two. If this persists, you may have them rinse with warm salt water 2-3 times per day. For discomfort, you may also give your child Children’s Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed for the age and weight of your child.

Instructions Following Fluoride Treatment

Patients should not rinse, eat, or drink for at least 30 minutes to maximize the fluoride’s direct contact with the teeth.

Instructions Following Sealant Placement

Your child may notice that the tooth feels different because of the new sealant. The teeth and bite will feel normal again in a couple of days. Your child should avoid sticky, crunchy, or hard foods for 24 hours following the placement of the sealant. NO ICE CHEWING!

Instructions Following Local Anesthesia

We would like to inform you that the soft tissue, including lips and tongue, in the work area may be without sensation for a period of 2 or more hours. Your child should be observed carefully so that he/she will not purposely or inadvertently bite his/ her tongue, lip, or inner cheek.

Instructions Following Restorative Treatment (Filling or Crown)

Make certain that your child is not eating or chewing while numb. Please make sure they do not bite their cheeks, lips, or tongue, as doing so can cause injury to the soft tissue. Your child should avoid sticky, crunchy, or hard foods for 24 hours. If your child experiences sensitivity or discomfort, you may give them Children’s Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed for their age and weight.

Instructions Following Pulp Treatment (Pulpotomy/Pulpectomy/Baby Root Canal)

If your child is experiencing sensitivity after this treatment, you may give them Children’s Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed for their age and weight. If sensitivity or discomfort continues for more than 24 hours, please contact our office.

Instructions Following a Tooth Extraction

  1. Bite on cotton gauze and change every 5-10 mins until the bleeding stops.
  2. Make sure cotton gauze can always be seen, otherwise it can become a choking hazard.
  3. Give Ibuprofen every 4 hours as needed for pain.
  4. If swelling occurs, use ice against the cheek.
  5. DO NOT drink from a straw.
  6. Soft diet today, and be sure to avoid hot, spicy, or greasy foods. No popcorn for a week.
  7. Avoid sports and heavy physical exertion today. Your child may resume playing sports tomorrow.
  8. No rinsing or spitting today. Skip tooth brushing tonight. Resume normal brushing tomorrow.
  9. Tomorrow- rinse mouth with one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.
  10. If your child was given antibiotics, please ensure that they take all of them as directed until gone. Young women need to know antibiotics reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use alternate BC methods for two months when antibiotics are taken.

Instructions Following Placement of Stainless Steel Crowns and Space Maintainers

The following activities will loosen, remove, or break stainless steel crowns, space maintainers, or sealants…

  1. NO to the following: Caramels, Taffy, Suckers, Jolly Ranchers, Skittles, Starburst, Airheads
  2. NO gum of any kind
  3. NO ice chewing
  4. HOWEVER, plain chocolate of any kind is fine!