General Post-op Instructions for Common Treatment Procedures:

IF YOUR CHILD HAS HAD FILLINGS OR CROWNS:

1. Remind patient not to chew on lip, tongue, or cheek while the area is numb (1-2 hours)

2. Soft diet and cold liquids for a few hours until numbness is gone

3. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) may be given if any discomfort.

4. Call the office if any problems.

IF YOUR CHILD HAS HAD A TOOTH REMOVED:

1. Bite on rolled-up gauze for 20-30 minutes to control bleeding in area where tooth was removed.

2. Remind patient not to chew on lip or tongue while numb (1-2 hours).

3. Encourage soft diet and cold liquids the first day.

4. Avoid excessive physical exercise the first day.

5. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) may be given if any discomfort.

6. Call the office if any problems.

IF YOUR CHILD HAS A REMOVABLE APPLIANCE:

1. Wear the appliance 24 hours a day.

2. Speech and eating will rapidly improve.

3. Avoid sticky foods

4. Brush appliance thoroughly (all sides) daily.

5. Avoid wearing appliance for contact sports (soccer, baseball, basketball) or where trauma to the face is possible.

6. Always place appliance in plastic box if out-of-the mouth.

IF YOUR CHILD HAS HAD TREATMENT UNDER GENERAL ANESTHESIA IN A HOSPITAL SETTING:

1. Clear liquids initially; if no nausea, advance to soft diet day of surgery.

2. If teeth were removed, apply gauze pressure to area for 20 minutes.

3. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be given for discomfort.

4. If fluoride varnish was applied, brush it off thoroughly prior to bedtime the evening after surgery. It is important to continue to use home fluorides that were prescribed for your child.

5. It is very important to begin thorough brushing and flossing particularly the first few days after surgery. It is normal for some bleeding to occur around new steel crowns, but healing of gum tissue and lessened discomfort will be delayed if plaque is not removed thoroughly.

6. Call Dr. Holman if any questions.

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