Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)

Discoloration on the tongue, cheeks, gums, and lips may occur and should resolve within seven to ten days. Apply vaseline repeatedly on areas of discoloration. Fluoride varnish is typically applied after SDF application, so your child’s mouth may have a sticky residue from the fluoride. SDF is a temporary solution to hold off traditional restorative options, so improving at home oral hygiene and diet in conjunction with SDF will improve your child’s oral health. At regular check up appointments, the doctor will determine if SDF re-application is recommended.

Sealants

Once applied, your child can eat or drink normally. Avoid chewing hard candy or ice to prevent cracks in the sealants. Your child may say their teeth feel different when biting, as a new adhesive coat has been applied over the grooves on the chewing surfaces to act as a barrier for food. However, dental sealants may not completely prevent cavities, as good oral hygiene and proper dietary habits will also determine your child’s overall oral health. Routine dental exams will help the dentist determine whether the sealants are chipping or wearing down.

Fillings/Crowns

Your child may say their teeth feel different when biting after fillings or crowns, but they will get used to it. Children’s crowns are different than adult crowns in that they are pre-fabricated; kids crowns are not custom made like adult crowns. With crowns, avoid sticky or chewy foods (gummies, taffy, chewing gum, caramel, etc.), which may cause the crown to dislodge. If the crown comes off, save it and call our office as soon as possible for us to recement the crown. It is normal to feel discomfort around the areas of the crowns or fillings for up to a week following the procedure. Offer your child ibuprofen or Tylenol in dosages according to their age and weight to alleviate any discomfort.

Extractions

Soreness is normal. Manage your child’s pain with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) at dosages according to your child’s age and weight. If pain is not relieved by one medication, you may alternate acetaminophen and ibuprofen every three hours. Do NOT give aspirin to your child. 

Minor swelling may occur for the next two days. Ice packs may be used for the first 24 hours (10 minutes on and 10 minutes off) and keep the head elevated. If swelling persists after the first 24 hours, warm moist compresses (10 minutes on and 10 minutes off) may help. A slight fever (temperature up to 100.5°F) may occur the first 48 hours after surgery. If a higher fever develops or if a fever persists after 48 hours, call our office. Occasional oozing  (pink or blood-tinged) saliva may occur. If bleeding persists, place pressure with a clean gauze or paper towel or bite on a cold moist tea bag. If bleeding continues for more than two hours, contact us.

Clean your child’s teeth as tolerated. If your child’s gums are sore from a procedure, try light brushing and a warm salt water rinse (½ teaspoon salt with one cup water). Avoid brushing the extraction area for at least 24 hours and brush the other areas. Do not disturb the surgical site at the date of treatment. Avoid stretching the lips or cheeks to look at the area. Avoid rinsing rigorously or probing the area with fingers or other objects. 

The patient may drink cool, noncarbonated liquids. Encourage fluids to help prevent dehydration. Cold soft foods (applesauce, ice cream, smoothies, pudding, yogurt, etc) are ideal the first day. Avoid hot, spicy, or crunchy foods. Until extraction areas are more healed, avoid nuts, sunflower seeds, and popcorn that may get lodged in the surgical sites. 

Nitrous

The most common side effect from nitrous oxide is nausea and vomiting, which can occur during or after the procedure. At our office, your child will be given 100% oxygen before being discharged, so the nitrous will no longer be in his or her body, so most children will feel normal afterwards. Some children may feel tired, so avoid any strenuous activities immediately following the procedure. 

Numbing/Local Anesthesia

The sites of local anesthesia (tongue, lips, cheeks) will be numb for two to four hours. This oftentimes can be a strange feeling to young children, so some kids will say that their mouth is hurting, but it is just the uncomfortable sensation of being numb.

Your child can have liquids or eat softer foods with a spoon while still numb. Watch your child closely so he or she does not bite, pick, scratch, or injure the cheek, lips, or tongue during this time that they are still numb. He or she will not have sensation in the mouth and when the numbness wears off, any lip or cheek bite can result in severe self-inflicted trauma and pain.

Sedation

With any type of sedation, your child should not go to school for the remainder of the day. Oftentimes, they are fine to go the next day. Please ask us and we will make a recommendation, but ultimately this is up to you as the parent.

Avoid physical exercise and exertion. Return to normal activities as tolerated.