Childrens Post-Op / Pre-Op Instructions
Spacers
This appliance will initially feel strange to your child, but it normally takes only a day or two before they do not even notice it is there. Please do not allow your child to eat sticky, chewy or hard candy, or chew on ice. This can loosen the spacer and cause it to become uncomfortable or ill-fitting. If the spacer DOES come loose or all the way out, please contact the office.
Pulpotomy
This is treatment of the nerve of the tooth after it has been exposed by decay or fracture. A tooth that has had a nerve treatment is generally covered with a stainless steel crown for protection, and there is normally not much discomfort after this procedure.
Stainless steel crown
This is generally placed as a protective covering for a tooth that has had a large amount of structure lost due to decay or fracture. The crown will feel bulky to your child initially, but normally after a day or two it is not noticeable. If the gum tissue is sore and/or irritated after the procedure, the patient can rinse with warm salt water (if old enough to do so—mom and dad to determine) several times a day.
Administer pain medicine as you would normally for a headache, or general aches and pains. Pain relievers work best when administered before the numbness wears off.
Do not allow your child to eat sticky, chewy or hard candy, or chew on ice; this can cause the crown to loosen or come out. If a crown DOES become loose or falls out completely, please call the office for an appointment.
Sealants
Your sealants can come out if you:
- Chew on ice
- Eat hard, sticky candy (taffy, Skittles, Jolly Ranchers, Sugar Daddys, etc.
Precautions for children with crowns or fillings on front teeth
Please have your child refrain from hard foods your child may bit into.
- Apples (They should be sliced)
- Carrots (They should be cut into strips)
- Corn on the cob (Cut the kernels off the cob)
- Ice
- Caramel candy, taffy, Sugar Daddys, or Now-or-Laters
Instructions for Childrens Extractions
- Remember your child's cheek, lips and tongue may be "asleep" (numb) for several hours after treatment
- Have your child bite on the provided gauze for at least 30 minutes or until bleeding stops
- Adminster children's Tylenol BEFORE the numbness wears off and every 4 hours as needed.
- Avoid allowing your child to use a straw or spit for the next 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, have your child rinse with warm salt water 2-3 times a day.
- Do not allow your child to participate in strenuous activities the first 24 hours
- A small amount of pink stained saliva on the childs pillow the first night is nothing to be alarmed about. However, if the bleeding continues or is heavy, CALL THE OFFICE.
Pre-op instructions for Nitrous Oxide
Please refrain from allowing your child food or drink for a minimum of 2 hours prior to appointment time. When your child has food in their stomach when we administer Nitrous Oxide, they often times become nauseous and vomiting may occur.
