Post-Op Information

General Tips for Post-Treatment Recovery

No matter the procedure, there are universal tips for helping your child recover comfortably. After an appointment involving dental work or orthodontic adjustments, it’s normal for your child to experience mild discomfort. Here are some general guidelines to follow:

Ease into Eating: For the first day or two, encourage your child to stick to soft, cool foods like yogurt, applesauce, or mashed potatoes. Avoid anything too hot or crunchy, which could irritate sensitive areas or newly adjusted braces.
Manage Discomfort: If your child complains of soreness, an over-the-counter children’s pain reliever such as ibuprofen can help. Follow the dosage instructions on the label.
Oral Hygiene Matters: Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential during recovery. Please support your child in gently brushing and rinsing their mouth as directed by our team. This helps reduce the risk of infection and promotes healing.

If you need more specific treatment information, the advice below is tailored to different common procedures.

After a Filling

Fillings are a standard and routine procedure, but your child’s treated tooth may feel a little tender or “different” for a day or two. Here’s what you can expect:

Numbness Awareness: The anesthetic will likely numb your child’s mouth for a few hours after the procedure. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t accidentally bite their cheek, lip, or tongue during this time.
Sensitivity to Temperature: It’s normal for the treated tooth to be temporarily sensitive to hot or cold foods. This sensitivity should decrease after a few days.
Eating After a Filling: If we place a composite (tooth-colored) filling, your child can eat as soon as they feel ready. However, they may initially prefer softer foods.

If your child experiences ongoing pain or sensitivity for more than a week, give us a call so we can ensure everything is healing correctly.

After a Tooth Extraction

Having a tooth removed can feel intimidating, but your child’s mouth will heal quickly with proper care. Follow these steps for a safe recovery:

Control Bleeding: Your child will leave our office with a piece of gauze over the extraction site. Maintain light pressure on the gauze for about 20–30 minutes. If bleeding persists, replace it with fresh gauze.
Avoid Straws: For the first 24 hours, your child should avoid using a straw, as the suction can dislodge the clot forming over the extraction site, leading to complications such as dry sockets.
Stick to Soft Foods: Foods like pudding, smoothies, or ice cream can be soothing—and tasty! Keep away from spicy or crunchy foods until the extraction site has healed.
Oral Hygiene: It’s essential to keep your child’s mouth clean, but for a couple of days, have them avoid brushing directly over the extraction site. After meals, a gentle rinse with warm salt water can help keep the area clean.

Some swelling and mild discomfort are normal after an extraction, but if your child experiences significant swelling, severe pain, or signs of infection (like a fever), please contact us immediately.

After Braces or Orthodontic Adjustments

Orthodontic care is exciting, but adjustments to braces or getting an orthodontic appliance for the first time can lead to temporary soreness. Here’s how to keep your child comfortable as they adapt:

Soft Diet at First: After adjusting or new braces, we recommend avoiding soft foods to minimize discomfort. Think mac and cheese, yogurt, or even a nice bowl of soup (just not too hot!).
Wax for Relief: Braces can sometimes irritate the cheeks or lips. Orthodontic wax is a lifesaver—apply it to the brackets or wires irritating to provide instant relief.
Pain Control: Soreness after adjustments is common, and it can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Encourage your child to chew sugar-free gum—it may feel counterintuitive, but chewing can help alleviate soreness by improving blood flow.
Avoid Sticky Foods: Remind your child to avoid sticky, hard, or chewy foods that could damage their braces or wires.

Your child’s comfort is our priority. If they continue to experience excessive pain or if part of their braces becomes damaged, please get in touch with us.