Treatment Options
Nitrous Oxide Sedation |
Oral Conscious Sedation |
Intravaneous
(IV) Sedation
Most commonly known as
“laughing gas”. It is the mixture of two gases
widely used in pediatric dentistry due to its
calming effects and safety. When it is inhaled, it
has a calming effect on the patient. The relaxed
state it produces in the patient allows him/her to
respond more favorably to treatment. Nitrous
oxide/oxygen is very safe. Your child will remain
fully awake and alert and can respond easily to
stimuli. It is eliminated quickly from the body with
normal breathing.
This is an oral medication
administered and monitored by the pediatric dentist
at the office which allows the child to better cope
with any anxiety or fear.
IV sedation is recommended for
extensive treatment, lack of cooperation due to
young age or sometimes children with special needs.
A board-certified anesthesiologist provides IV
Sedation in our office and monitors your child from
start to finish and during recovery. During IV
sedation your child will be asleep and will not
remember the procedures that have taken place. This
ensures that they safely receive the treatment they
need all at once and that they do not grow to be
afraid of going to the dentist. The anesthesiologist
will talk with you prior to the visit to provide the
pre- and post-anesthesia instructions and answer any
questions you may have.
Post-Op Care
Care of the Mouth After
Local Anesthetic |
Care of the Mouth After Trauma
Care of the Mouth After
Extractions |
Care of Sealants
| Oral Discomfort After a
Cleaning
Care of the Mouth
After Local Anesthetic
- If the procedure was in the lower jaw the
tongue, teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will
be numb or asleep.
- If the procedure was in the upper jaw the
teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will be numb
or asleep.
- Often, children do not understand the
effects of local anesthesia, and may chew,
scratch, suck, or play with the numb lip,
tongue, or cheek. These actions can cause minor
irritations or they can be severe enough to
cause swelling and abrasions to the tissue.
- Monitor your child closely for approximately
two hours following the appointment. It is often
wise to keep your child on a liquid or soft diet
until the anesthetic has worn off.
Please do not hesitate to call the office if
there are any questions.
Care of the Mouth After
Trauma
- Please keep the traumatized area as-clean-as
possible. A soft wash cloth often works well
during healing to aid the process.
- Watch for darkening of traumatized teeth.
This could be an indication of a dying nerve
(pulp).
- If the swelling should re-occur, our office
needs to see the patient as-soon-as possible.
Ice should be administered during the first 24
hours to keep the swelling to a minimum.
- Watch for infection (gum boils) in the area
of trauma. If infection is noticed - call the
office so the patient can be seen as-soon-as
possible.
- Maintain a soft diet for two to three days,
or until the child feels comfortable eating
normally again.
- Avoid sweets or foods that are extremely hot
or cold.
- If antibiotics or pain medicines are
prescribed, be sure to follow the prescription
as directed.
Please do not hesitate to call the office if
there are any questions.
Care of the Mouth
After Extractions
- Do not scratch , chew, suck, or rub the
lips, tongue, or cheek while they feel numb or
asleep. The child should be watched closely so
he/she does not injure his/her lip, tongue, or
cheek before the anesthesia wears off.
- Do not rinse the mouth for several hours.
- Do not spit excessively.
- Do not drink a carbonated beverage (Coke,
Sprite, etc.) for the remainder of the day.
- Do not drink through a straw.
- Keep fingers and tongue away from the
extraction area.
Bleeding - Some bleeding is to be
expected. If unusual or sustained bleeding occurs,
place cotton gauze firmly over the extraction area
and bite down or hold in place for fifteen minutes.
This can also be accomplished with a tea bag. Repeat
if necessary.
- Maintain a soft diet for a day or two, or
until the child feels comfortable eating
normally again.
- Avoid strenuous exercise or physical
activity for several hours after the extraction.
Pain - For discomfort use Children's
Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed for the age of
the child. If a medicine was prescribed, then follow
the directions on the bottle.
Please do not hesitate to call the office if
there are any questions.
Care of Sealants
By forming a thin covering over the pits and
fissures, sealants keep out plaque and food, thus
decreasing the risk of decay. Since, the covering is
only over the biting surface of the tooth, areas on
the side and between teeth cannot be coated with the
sealant. Good oral hygiene and nutrition are still
very important in preventing decay next to these
sealants or in areas unable to be covered.
Your child should refrain from eating ice or hard
candy, which tend to fracture the sealant. Regular
dental appointments are recommended in order for
your child's dentist to be certain the sealants
remain in place.
The American Dental Association recognizes that
sealants can play an important role in the
prevention of tooth decay. When properly applied and
maintained, they can successfully protect the
chewing surfaces of your child's teeth. A total
prevention program includes regular visits to the
dentist, the use of fluoride, daily brushing and
flossing, and limiting the number of times
sugar-rich foods are eaten. If these measures are
followed and sealants are used on the child's teeth,
the risk of decay can be reduced or may even be
eliminated!
Oral Discomfort
After a Cleaning
A thorough cleaning unavoidably produces some
bleeding and swelling and may cause some tenderness
or discomfort. This is not due to a "rough cleaning"
but, to tender and inflamed gums from insufficient
oral hygiene. We recommend the following for 2-3
days after cleaning was performed:
- A warm salt water rinse 2-3 times per day.
(1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water)
- For discomfort use Children's Tylenol, Advil
or Motrin as directed by the age of the child.
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