Pediatric Aftercare
Preventative Visits
Following a Prophy (Cleaning)
- After a dental cleaning, your child can resume their normal eating and drinking routine right away.
- Encourage your child to continue brushing and flossing twice a day to maintain a healthy smile.
- It is normal for the gums to feel slightly sensitive or bleed mildly after cleaning; this should resolve within a day.
Following Fluoride Treatment
- After a fluoride treatment, your child should avoid eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes to allow the fluoride to fully absorb and strengthen their teeth.
- If any mild tingling or chalky feeling occurs, it should disappear shortly after the waiting period.
Following Sealant Placement
- Your child can eat and drink normally after sealant placement.
- Sealants may feel slightly raised or textured to your child’s tongue at first, but they will adjust to the sensation within a few days.
- Encourage your child to avoid sticky, hard foods (like candy or ice) that could damage the sealant.
Dental Procedures
Following Anesthesia
- If your child received local anesthesia, their mouth or lips may feel numb for a few hours. Encourage them to avoid biting, chewing, or scratching the numb areas to prevent injury.
- Offer soft foods and keep an eye on them until the numbness completely wears off.
Following Restorative Treament (Filling or Crown)
- After a filling or crown, avoid giving your child sticky or hard foods for the rest of the day.
- Your child may experience mild sensitivity to hot or cold foods for a few days; this is normal and should subside.
- If your child experiences discomfort, over-the-counter pain relief (appropriate for their age) can help, but contact our office if the pain persists.
Following Pulp Treatment (Pulpotomy/Pulpectomy/Baby Root Canal)
- Your child may experience mild discomfort or sensitivity after pulp treatment. Over-the-counter pain relief can be given as directed.
- Encourage soft foods for the first day to prevent irritation.
- Keep an eye on the treated tooth and surrounding gums; if swelling or severe pain occurs, contact our office.
Following an Extraction
- After a tooth extraction, have your child bite down on the gauze pad provided for at least 20 minutes to help form a clot.
- Avoid rinsing, spitting, or using straws for the first 24 hours to protect the clot.
- Offer soft foods and plenty of fluids, avoiding hot or crunchy foods.
- Mild discomfort is normal, and over-the-counter pain relief can be used as directed. If pain, swelling, or bleeding continues, contact our office promptly.