Post-Operative Care for Kids
When you think of post-op care, you may think of medical surgeries, but post-op care for kids after dentistry procedures allow you to make sure your children heal properly. Pediatric dentists may perform a number of invasive procedures to keep your kids’ teeth and gums healthy. Do your part by following the post-op care for kids after dentistry. Call Tiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry — in Woodbridge, New Jersey, on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and in Harlem, NY — for safe, effective dental procedures.
What Does Post-Operative Care Mean?
Post-op care for kids after dentistry procedures is an integral part of your child’s dental care. A number of dental procedures — such as a tooth extraction, root canal, or frenectomy — re-quire special care to heal effectively. Proper aftercare also reduces the risk of complications. Pediatric dentists perform a variety of dental procedures as part of:
The pediatric dentists at Tiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry in Woodbridge, New Jersey and in Manhattan work closely with you to deliver the best dental care for your child. The board cer-tified dentists and experienced staff guide you through any needed dental procedures and provide comprehensive aftercare instructions.
Warm salt-water rinses reduce gum bleeding and swelling.
A top pediatric dentist may prescribe medication to ease your child’s mouth discomfort.
Keep hot foods and drinks away from your child immediately after the dental cleaning.
which often follows a cleaning. Give the varnish time to act on the enamel before eating or drinking anything.
At home, if you notice any signs of complications, such as bleeding, contact your dentist. Tiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry offers emergency and urgent care services.
What’s the Aftercare Following a Kids’ Tooth Extraction?
A tooth extraction for a child may be necessary for a badly damaged or decayed tooth. Your dentist may also remove a baby tooth to allow space for a permanent replacement. Post-op care for kids after dentistry treat-ments include:
Ensure your child bites on the provided gauze to control bleeding. Avoid the use of bottles, straws, sippy cups and pacifiers to prevent opening the wound.
Ensure your child doesn’t brush directly on the extraction area for four-to-five days.
Keep the extraction area clean using warm salt-water rinses.
Apply ice packs to the face near the extraction to control swelling.
Avoid crunchy, salty and spicy foods, which may irritate the extraction area. Give your child soft foods, such as cheese and yogurt.
Don’t allow your child to engage in strenuous playing activities for 24 hours to avoid re-injuring the wound.
If the dentist provided medication, use as advised to reduce discomfort and prevent infection.
If the bleeding continues after several hours, contact the dentist immediately.
After a tooth extraction, make sure your child follows these guidelines. Plan for similar guidelines after a pulp treatment. Ease your child back into normal activities and a normal diet.
What’s the Aftercare Procedure for Getting Fillings?
Most children get dental caries, which are small holes in the teeth cause by decay. If the damage gets deep or wide enough, your pediatric dentist often recommends a filling that’s both white for aesthetic reasons and safe from chemicals. Post-ope-rative care after getting a filling includes:
Avoid giving your child crunchy, sticky, chewy or hard foods, such as popcorn, ice, jaw breakers, gum or nuts.
Some tooth sensitivity may occur after a filling, but it’s often temporary. Have the child keep the tooth clean, but if the sensitivity continues or worsens, check with your dentist.
If the filling breaks or becomes loose, call the dentist immediately. Your dentist may replace the failed restoration.
The dentists at Tiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry are only a call away in case of an emergency. If you follow the dentist’s instructions, your child’s smile is in good hands.
What's the Post-Operative Care for Dental Crowns?
A dental crown or cap is a restorative appliance for children with da-maged teeth. Your pediatric dentist cements the tooth-shaped covering over a damaged tooth to restore its original shape and function. A capped tooth is often stronger than the original. After the procedure, the post-op care instructions include:
- Immediate care Make sure your child doesn’t scratch, bite or pick at numb gums or lips. Such habits may lead to other dental problems.
- Pain medication. Your child rarely needs medication to ease discomfort after a crown, but you can allow over-the-counter painkillers if needed for the first 24 hours.
- Oral care. Make sure your child brushes and flosses despite any discomfort. Proper oral care promotes the healing process, and it can’t damage the crown.
- Managing diet. Give your child only soft food after the procedure and avoid crunchy, sticky or hard foods. Sticky foods, such as gum, may pull a new crown off, but it’s unlikely. Keep your child on a liquid diet until the anesthetic has worn off, which minimizes the risk of biting the gum or lips.
- Emergencies. If any discomfort persists beyond 48 hours, contact your dentist.
The pediatric dentists at Tiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry perform many procedures to promote your child’s good oral health. Contact the best pediatric dentist in New Jersey today.
