Caring For Your Child After Treatment
- Your child’s mouth could be numb for up to four hours. Care should be taken to see that your child does not bite or chew on the numb areas. Frequently remind your child their mouth is “asleep”, that it will “wake up” in a few hours, and not to chew or rub it where it is numb. Feed your child soft foods only such as pudding, jell-o, milk shakes, or ice cream. Avoid foods that require chewing until the numbness has completely worn off.
- If your child had nitrous-oxide (“Laughing Gas”), they will be free of its effects within minutes after they stop breathing it. Occasionally, there is some drowsiness and your child may want to nap when they get home. Nausea is very rare. There are no other side effects.
- If a tooth was extracted, your child should bite on the gauze we provided. After ten minutes, remove the gauze. If the bleeding continues, open the pack of sterile gauze we gave you and have your child bite on it for an additional ten minutes. Excessive bleeding is very uncommon. Contact the office if you are concerned about the amount of bleeding.
- Moderate to severe pain from the dental procedures your child received is very uncommon. Some children may cry due to the lingering numbness. But few children experience significant pain. If your child is uncomfortable, give Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) or Acetominophen (Tylenol®). Aspirin should never be given.
- If you are concerned about how your child is doing, or if there are any questions, feel free to call the office. If there are questions after hours, our answering machine will instruct you how to contact me. Please don’t hesitate to call!