caring for your child:

tooth extraction

 

Dr. Tiffany and her team celebrate your child’s successful dental visit!  We are honored to partner with you in building your child’s lifelong, happy, and healthy smile. To ensure a smooth and gentle recovery, please follow this guide carefully.

 

1. Managing Numbness (The First 1–3 Hours)

After the procedure, your child’s mouth may feel numb, tingly, or “asleep” due to the gentle anesthetic used. This sensation is completely normal and is intended to keep your child comfortable while the effects last.

• Supervision is Key: Carefully monitor your child for the next 1 to 3 hours, until the numbness has completely worn off.
• Prevent Injury: Because children cannot feel their mouths during this time, they may accidentally bite or scratch their cheeks, lips, or tongue. Supervision helps prevent these accidental injuries.
• Soft Diet Only: Offer only cool, soft foods—such as yogurt or smoothies—until all numbness has disappeared.

 

2. Bleeding & The "Healing Clot"

It is normal to see pink or blood-tinged saliva for up to 24 hours.

• The Gauze: Leave the gauze pad in place for 30 minutes with gentle, steady bite pressure.
• Changing Gauze: If oozing continues, replace it with fresh folded gauze and repeat pressure for 30 minutes.
• Do Not Disturb: Remind your child not to touch the spot with fingers or tongue. We need to protect the blood clot, which acts as a "healing bandage."

 

3. Eating & Drinking (The First 24 Hours)

Wait until the numbness is completely gone before eating.

• Soft & Cool: Offer yogurt, applesauce, pudding, or ice cream.  Avoid hot foods.
• NO STRAWS: Do not allow your child to use straws. The sucking motion can dislodge the healing clot.
• Hydration: Ensure your child drinks plenty of water.

 

4. Pain Management & Swelling

• Pain Management: If needed, you may use over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil), dosed according to your child’s weight, to help with any discomfort.  NO ASPIRIN
• Swelling: If swelling occurs, apply a cold pack to the face for 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off.

 

5. Hygiene & Activity

• Rest: Avoid vigorous physical activity for the first 24 hours.
• Cleaning: Brush and floss other teeth but avoid the extraction site on the first day.
• Rinsing: Do not spit forcefully or rinse vigorously for 24 hours.

 

⚠️ When to Call Our Office

Please call us immediately if you notice:

• Bleeding: Heavy bleeding that does not stop after 24 hours.
• Pain: Uncontrolled or worsening pain.
• Infection: Fever, increased redness, swelling, or pus.