Pediatric Post-Op Instructions

The goal of Dream Dental is to prevent problems and not allow minor matters, such as a cavity, to become a major problem requiring surgery and tooth extraction. Despite the most attentive care and adherence to good hygiene practices, problems do arise that require surgery to correct. This can result from a number of things, including tooth decay, impacted teeth, and roots, periodontal disease, fractured teeth, maladjusted teeth, orthodontic care, periodontal disease, and tooth abscess. If your child requires oral surgery, there are a few things your Dream Dental family dentist will recommend postoperative instructions.

INSTRUCTIONS

• Immediately following surgery, there will be bleeding. Have your child bite on gauze for thirty minutes. This will allow the blood to clot and ease the bleeding. A slight amount of bleeding will continue throughout the night. This should subside within 24 hours.
  
  
• Do not allow your child to rinse their mouth for the first day and night. Rinsing can cause bleeding. The morning after oral surgery, you should rinse their mouth with warm water or a saline solution of ½ teaspoon of salt added to 8 ounces of water every 2-4 hours of the day and after a meal.
  
  
• Do not allow them to brush their teeth until the morning after surgery. The next day, brush their teeth as normal only take great care to clean the teeth without touching the wound. Your dentist may recommend Peridex be used after surgery. Your dentist will advise you when to use Peridex. Usually, it is twice a day following brushing.
  
  
• Your child may resume eating as soon as the anesthesia has worn off and if they feel well enough to do so. Some caution, however, is advised. Do not eat food that is too crunchy, hot, or spicy for 3-4 days following surgery. Encourage them to eat soft food such as mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, etc. Encourage liquids such as soup, broth, fruit juice, milkshakes, and ice cream. Drinks must not be too hot, nor should a straw be used.
  
  
• Swelling and discomfort around the area of the surgery are natural. To ease these, crush some ice, put it in a plastic bag, and wrap the bag in a towel. If possible, ice should be applied in 20-minute cycles with 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. After 24-48 hours, the swelling should subside to a tolerable level.
  
  
• For the first few days following surgery, the head be kept elevated. At bedtime, it is recommended you add an extra pillow or two.
  
  
• For the first few days, avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting. Contact sports should be avoided for 2 weeks. Aside from this, your child can resume their normal routine the day after surgery.
  
  
• If after 4-5 days you notice the pain increasing and/or bleeding, call your pediatric dentist. Occasionally, the clot will dissolve prematurely, requiring minor measures to enable healing.
  
  
• Your dentist may prescribe pain killers and/or antibiotics. Take all medication exactly as directed and continue to do so until the prescription is exhausted. If, after taking prescription medicine, you notice any unusual symptoms, stop taking the medication and call your dentist immediately. If no medication is prescribed, you may find an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory such as Tylenol will ease the discomfort.
  

Please call us if you have any further questions.