dental rehab
POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS

Supervision:

  • Your child may be sleepy, dizzy, irritable, or unsteady for the rest of the day.

  • An adult should remain with your child and closely supervise them for the remainder of the day.

  • Do not allow your child to climb, ride a bike, play outside unsupervised, or participate in strenuous activity until fully recovered.

Eating & Drinking:

  • Start with small amounts of clear liquids once your child is awake and alert.

  • If tolerated, gradually advance to soft foods.

  • Good choices include yogurt, applesauce, eggs, pasta, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, smoothies, and soup that is not hot.

  • Avoid very hot foods/drinks while the mouth is numb.

  • Avoid hard, crunchy, sticky, or chewy foods for the first day, especially around areas where teeth were extracted or crowns were placed.

  • Encourage fluids to prevent dehydration.

Numbness:

  • Your child's lips, cheeks, tongue, or gums may remain numb for several hours.

  • Do not allow your child to chew or bite the numb areas.

  • Watch younger children closely because they may accidentally bite their lip or cheek.

Brushing:

  • Continue brushing the teeth as usual, but be gentle around areas that are sore.

  • If extractions were performed, avoid brushing directly over the extraction site for the remainder of the day.

  • Resume normal brushing the following day unless your dentist gives different instructions.

  • Do not allow your child to vigorously rinse or spit on the day of an extraction.

pain:

  • Mild soreness of the teeth, gums, jaw, or throat is common.

  • Give children's acetaminophen (Tylenol) according to your child's weight.

  • Do not give aspirin to children.

  • If pain is severe, worsening, or not controlled with the recommended medication, contact the dental office.

Nausea/Vomiting:

  • Mild nausea or vomiting can occur after general anesthesia.

  • If your child vomits, pause food and drinks briefly, then restart with small sips of clear liquids.

  • If vomiting continues or your child cannot keep fluids down, contact us.

Fever:

  • A mild temperature elevation can occur after anesthesia.

  • Follow your anesthesia team's instructions regarding temperature monitoring and medication.

  • A persistent or significant fever should be reported to your child's healthcare provider.

Activity:

  • Quiet activity at home is recommended for the remainder of the day.

  • Your child should not attend school/daycare or participate in sports on the day of surgery unless specifically cleared.

  • Most children can gradually return to normal activities as they feel comfortable.

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