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What To Expect

Post Operative Instructions

Here is a list of instructions we provide to families following dental surgery including fillings and/or extractions. 

Your Child's recovery

Activity: your child should refrain from engaging in vigorous physical activity for the next 24 hours. I encourage parents to keep their child on the couch, in front of a TV, or busy with books/video games during this time. If your child is feeling nauseas, be cautious with TV or video games as these activities can exacerbate nausea and vomiting.

Hydration: please keep your child well hydrated over the next 24 hours. Start basic – clear fluids. This will aid in your child’s recovery and prevent dehydration.

Oral Hygiene: avoid brushing or flossing your child’s teeth for the next 24 hours. Your child’s mouth is healing, and aggressive brushing or tangy toothpaste will likely make him or her more upset.

Pain Control: your child may have received pain medication similar to Advil through their IV. This, in addition to local anesthesia, will keep your child comfortable in the immediate post-operative period. Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) are typically adequate for pain control into the evening. Please follow the nurses’ recommendation to ensure that you are timing these medications appropriately.

Additional Instructions

Local Anesthetic/Freezing: if local anesthesia was used during your child’s surgery, the “freezing” sensation will last two to three hours following the surgery. Be sure that your child does not accidentally bite or chew his or her lip, tongue and cheek. If your child is hungry during this time, offer foods that do not require your child to chew.

White Filling(s): white fillings can result in a certain amount of sensitivity to cold, hot and/or pressure 24 to 48 hours after placement.

Silver Filling(s): your child should avoid foods that are hard or crunchy such as popcorn, nuts or seeds. Flossing should be done carefully, making sure to pull the floss out from between the teeth instead of moving it up and down.

Stainless Steel Crown(s): keep your child’s diet soft for the next 24 hours. Furthermore, avoid foods that are sticky such as bubble gum, toffee, fruit rolls or sticky candies for a minimum of 24 hours. Flossing should be done carefully, making sure to pull the floss out from between the teeth instead of moving it up and down. Bleeding, redness and tenderness around the crowns is completely normal and should resolve in 48 to 72 hours. If a crown becomes loose or falls off, please phone the office as soon as possible to schedule an emergency appointment. Please save the crown and bring it with you to the appointment.

Extraction(s): stitches were placed to control bleeding in the immediate post-operative period. These stitches will dissolve typically in five days but may fall out tonight. This is OK. If bleeding is heavy, have your child bite down on the gauze for at least 10 minutes directly over the extraction site(s). Change the gauze as often as necessary. If you run out of gauze, a damp washcloth can also be used. Light bleeding is normal for up to 24 hours. Swelling and tenderness is also normal, and should resolve in 48 to 72 hours. Your child should avoid using straws and sucking or spitting for a minimum of 3 days after surgery, as this could delay healing. Keep your child’s diet soft for the next five days and gradually increase the firmness of the foods as tolerated.

Schedule an appointment with us today for a beautiful, healthy smile.

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Conveniently located in the heart of Edmonton, Avenue Pediatric Dentistry proudly deliver all aspects of dental care to infants, children and teenagers, as well as those of all ages with special needs.

560 First Edmonton Place
10665 Jasper Avenue NW
Edmonton, Alberta, T5J3S9

Contact

Tel: 780-428-7761
Fax: 780-428-1032
Email: [email protected]

HOURS

Monday 7:30a.m.–3:30p.m.
Tuesday 7:30a.m.–3:30p.m.
Wednesday 7:30a.m.–3:30p.m.
Thursday 7:30a.m.–3:30p.m.
Friday 7:30a.m.–2:30p.m.

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