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Patient Instructions

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Instructions Following Preventive Visits

  • 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 Dental Procedures

  • Instructions Following Local Anesthesia

    During today's visit, one or more of your child teeth and gums were numbed with local anesthetic, in order to provide the necessary treatment. We would like to inform you that the soft tissue, including lips and tongue in the work area will be without sensation for a period of 2 or more hours. It should be observed carefully so that he/she will not purposely or inadvertently bite his/ her tongue, lip, or inner cheek surface.

  • 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 your child Children’s Tylenol, Advil or Motrin as directed for the age and weight of your child.

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

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

  • Instructions Following an Extraction

    1. Bite on cotton gauze, change every 5-10 mins until bleeding stops.

    2. Make sure cotton gauze can always be seen; otherwise it can become a choking hazard.

    3. Give Ibuprofen every 4hrs as needed for pain.

    4. If swelling occurs use ice against cheek.

    5. DO NOT drink from a straw.

    6. Soft diet today, 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 (2 mins twice daily).

    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 methods for two months when antibiotic is 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. Caramels, Taffy, Suckers, Jolly Ranchers, Skittles, Starburst, Airheads… NO NO NO

    2. NO Gum of any kind

    3. NO ice chewing

    4. Plain chocolate of any kind is fine

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