Emergencies

If your child has an accident that causes pain or trauma to the mouth area, please call our office as soon as possible. If the incident occurs outside of our office hours, you will be prompted to reach our emergency line.

The first 30 minutes following an accident are the most critical for treatment of dental trauma. If a permanent (adult) tooth is knocked out completely and debris is visible on the tooth, gently rinse the tooth under water-DO NOT SCRUB! If possible, gently replace the tooth in the socket. If this is not possible, place the tooth in a glass of milk or in a clean, wet cloth. If we are unable to meet you at the office immediately, we will advise you as to where to take your child to be seen.

If your child fractures an adult tooth, please bring in any pieces you can find. Please note: not all fractures require the patient to be seen immediately.

Our schedule may be delayed in order to accommodate an injured child. We appreciate your understanding and patience should an emergency occur during your child's appointment. We will provide you the same care should your child ever require emergency treatment.

care after trauma

Please keep the traumatized area as clean as possible. Darkening of the affected teeth is a common result following trauma. Our office should be contacted if any swelling occurs in the area. Ice or a cold compress may be applied to the area to reduce swelling.

Watch for infection, which may appear as a "bubble" on the gums adjacent to the traumatized tooth. If infection is noted or suspected, call our office immediately.
Maintain a soft diet for 2-3 days following trauma.
Avoid sweets or foods that are very hot or cold.
If antibiotics are prescribed, follow the prescription as directed.

Please do not hesitate to call or text our office with any concerns or additional questions.

Post-treatment instructions

Local Anesthetic (numbing)

If your child required local anesthetic for their dental procedure, certain areas of the mouth will feel numb for several hours following the appointment. For procedures in the lower jaw (bottom teeth), the tongue, teeth, lip, and surrounding tissue will feel numb or asleep. For procedures in the upper jaw (top teeth), the teeth, lip, and surrounding tissue will feel numb or asleep.

Children often do not understand the effects of local anesthesia and may chew, scratch, suck, or play with the numb area. These actions may cause minor irritations or may be severe enough to cause severe swelling and abrasions to the tissue. Please monitor your child closely for ~2-3 hours following the appointment. We strongly advise keeping your child on a liquid or very soft diet until the anesthetic has worn off.

extractions

If your child has one or more teeth removed or "wiggled out:"

Gauze placed on the extraction site by the dental team should stay in place with biting pressure for 30 minutes following the appointment. This will reduce the amount and extent of bleeding.
Give your child the appropriate dose of Children's Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen when you take the gauze out (NO ASPIRIN!). Your child should only require pain reliever for the first 12-24 hours, if at all. If pain persists, please call our office.
Your child should eat soft, bland food for the first couple days following treatment. Nothing sharp, crunchy, or too hot or cold, as the area may be sensitive. Encourage plenty of liquids.
No spitting or drinking through a straw, as these forces may cause bleeding to recur.
A clean mouth heals faster! Gentle brushing around the extraction site may be started immediately, along with saltwater rinses (1/4 tsp to a glass of water) to aid with any discomfort.
Activity may need to be limited. Ask Dr. Julie or Dr. Taylor if you are concerned about the extent of activities your child may resume following treatment.
Swelling following an extraction is not uncommon and should not cause alarm. If this occurs, apply an ice pack for 15 minutes on/15 minutes off as needed for the 24 hours following tooth removal.
Your child's mouth will be numb following the procedure. Self-inflicted bite injuries are the most common post-treatment complication! Please watch your child carefully!

care of sealants

By forming a thin coating over the pits and grooves on teeth, sealants keep out plaque and food, thus decreasing the risk of decay. Since the coating is only placed on the chewing surface of the tooth, areas on the sides and between teeth cannot be coated with sealant. Good oral hygiene and nutrition are still crucial in preventing decay on areas next to the sealants or in areas that cannot be sealed.

Your child should refrain from chewing ice or hard candy once sealants are placed. This tends to fracture the sealant material. Sealants will be replaced at no charge for two years following initial placement.

The American Dental Association recognizes that sealants play an important role in the prevention of tooth decay. A total prevention program includes regular visits to the dentist, the use of fluoride, twice daily brushing, daily flossing, and limiting intake of foods high in sugar content.

POST-SEDATION INSTRUCTIONS

It is important for your child's safety that you follow these instructions carefully! Failure to do so could result in unnecessary complications.

ACTIVITIES: Do not plan or permit activities for your child following treatment. Allow your child to rest, and closely supervise any activity for the remainder of the day.
GETTING HOME: Your child should be closely monitored for any signs of breathing difficulty and should be carefully secured in a car seat or seat belt while riding in a vehicle.
DRINKING + EATING: Encourage your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day-small sips taken repeatedly are preferable to consuming a large amount at once. Soft, luke-warm food should be given as your child will tolerate it (yogurt, pudding, mashed potatoes, soup, popsicles, etc.).
TEMPERATURE ELEVATION: Your child's temperature may be elevated for the first 24 hours following treatment. Acetaminophen and fluids will help to alleviate this. A temperature above 101 degrees is cause to contact our office or the anesthesia team.
EXTRACTIONS: Please note the instructions above regarding extractions. Also remember that a small amount of blood mixed in with a lot of spit in the mouth looks like a lot of blood! If you have concerns, please contact our office.
BRUSHING: You may resume normal brushing the evening of your child's procedure. Gentle but thorough brushing by an adult will help reduce inflammation and discomfort and aid in the healing process.
WHEN TO SEEK ADVICE: Though not common, if any of the below-mentioned issues arise, please contact our office or your local Emergency Department:
- Vomiting that persists beyond 4 hours
- Any fever that remains beyond 24 hours or reaches above 101 degrees.
- Any difficulty breathing or poor coloration of the child's skin
- Any other matters that cause you concern