Post-Op Care

Oral Care Following Local Anesthetic

After receiving a local anesthetic, a child may be confused about the numb feeling in their mouth. It can be hard for a child to understand that they can hurt themselves if they chew or bite the area that has been numbed. Although it’s normal for a child to want to suck or play with the numbed area, try to discourage this to avoid any damage or irritation. If the area is irritated, it could prolong the healing process and even lead to swelling or trauma.

The two hours following a child’s treatment is the most important. Injury can occur because your child can’t feel injury harm or discomfort in their mouth, so keeping a close eye on your child during this time is important. Liquids or soft foods are best to help avoid chewing. If your child is chewing food, they may accidentally bite the numbed area and cause injury that will delay the healing process.

In the Event Your Child Bites Their Lip, Tongue or Cheek

If a child bites their lip, tongue or cheek, it will normally heal on its own. This type of injury can take up to two weeks to fully heal, but in most cases the injury will be minor. Applying a cold compress can help reduce swelling. Never apply heat to the injury, as it can make the swelling worse. Bleeding can be treated by applying firm but gentle pressure with a clean cloth. In most cases, the bleeding should stop in 20 minutes or less. If you are unable to stop the bleeding, please give us a call or visit the closest emergency room.

Post-Trauma Oral Care

If dental trauma occurs, be sure to keep the area around the injury clean and apply a cold compress to address the swelling. If your child’s tooth begins to darken, the tooth’s nerve may be dying. If this is the case, infection could set in. One indication of infection is a small bubble appearing on the gums above or below the tooth. If a bubble is discovered, call to make an appointment right away and our team can help by treating the infection and the injury.

Oral Care Following Tooth Removal

If your child has a tooth extraction, they will experience numbness for some time following treatment. We recommend over the counter pain medication for relieving pain as the anesthetic begins to wear off. To help slow bleeding, help your child understand that it’s best not to spit or do any excessive sucking, like drinking from a straw or sucking their thumb. Keep the area around the extraction clean. Brush their teeth with extra care for a few weeks. Your child may experience mild bleeding during brushing, but this is normal following an extraction.

If you have any concerns, give us a call! Our team in Fort Mill, SC is here to help answer any questions that you may have.