After Care Instructions
Instructions Following Preventive Visits
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 children’s ibuprofen or Tylenol as directed for the age and weight of your child.
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.
Instructions Following Dental Procedures
Monitor your child closely for approximately two hours following the appointment. It is often wise to keep your child on a liquid or soft diet until the anesthetic has worn off.
Remind your child to refrain from touching, biting, sucking, or playing with the numb area. If your child does bite her lip, please be aware that this will cause a lot of swelling for 2-3 days afterward. The only treatment available for this swelling is to apply ice to the area and over the counter pain medication. Please call the office if this happens and you are concerned.
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 children’s ibuprofen or Tylenol as directed for the age and weight of your child.
Please brush the crown with parental supervision for 2-3 days to avoid the gingiva from swelling. If bleeding or swelling occurs a few days after placement, dip the child’s toothbrush in some listerine mouthwash and brush the gingiva around the crown.
If the crown comes off, save the crown and call the office to have it recemented. If there is a tooth attached to the crown when it comes off, it is likely that this crowned tooth is exfoliating naturally and no treatment is indicated.
Please brush the crown with parental supervision for 2-3 days to avoid the gingiva from swelling. If bleeding or swelling occurs a few days after placement, dip the child’s toothbrush in some listerine mouthwash and brush the gingiva around the crown. If the crown comes off, save the crown and call the office to have it recemented. If there is a tooth attached to the crown when it comes off, it is likely that this crowned tooth is exfoliating naturally and no treatment is indicated.
Please instruct your child not to rinse, spit, or drink through a straw. Have them keep their fingers and tongue away from the area. If unusual or sustained bleeding occurs, place slightly moistened cotton gauze firmly over the extraction area, and bite down or hold in place for thirty minutes. Repeat every thirty minutes until the area is no longer bleeding. Biting on a warm tea bag can also stop the bleeding. If a spacer comes off, please save the spacer and call our office to have it recemented.
Maintain a soft diet for a day or two or until the child feels comfortable eating normally again. Avoid strenuous exercise and physical activity for the rest of the day after the extraction.
For discomfort use children’s ibuprofen or Tylenol as directed for the age and weight of your child. If sensitivity or discomfort continues for more than 24 hours, please contact our office.
It is important that after-care of the wound is done properly. The goal is to not have the frenum re-form. Stretches are important for the tongue and the upper lip for the first 7-10 days post-op. Please see www.TongueTieAL.com for the proper way to stretch and massage the area with coconut oil or vitamin E. For post-op pain, please use ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed.
Frenectomy Care - Click the links below