Post Operative Instructions

Your child had the following procedure performed today: 

[ ] Resin Fillings

[ ] Stainless Steel Crowns

[ ]Extraction

[ ]Exposure of unerupted tooth [ ]Frenectomy

[ ]Gingivectomy

[ ]Space maintainer

[ ]Other: __________________________________

This will require special care and attention over the next few days. Please follow the instructions checked below. Contact us with questions or if unusual symptoms develop. [ ] Numbness: The mouth will be numb approximately 1.5-2 hours. Watch to see that your child does not bite, scratch, or injure the cheek, lips, or tongue during this time.

[ ] Bleeding: Bleeding was controlled before we discharged your child, but some occasional oozing (pink or blood-tinged saliva) may occur. Hold gauze with firm pressure against the surgical site until oozing has stopped. You may need to change the gauze or repeat this step. If bleeding continues for more than 2 hours, contact us.

[ ] Surgical Site Care: Today, do not disturb the surgical site. Do not stretch the lips or cheeks to look at the area. Do not rinse vigorously, use mouthwash, or probe the area with fingers or other objects. Beginning tomorrow, you may rinse with warm salt water (1⁄2 teaspoon salt with 1 cup water) after meals. Please do not use straws or expectorate for 7 days.

[ ] Daily Activities: Today, avoid physical exercise and exertion. Return to normal activities as tolerated.

[ ] Diet: After all bleeding has stopped, the patient may drink cool non-carbonated liquids but should NOT use a straw. Encourage fluids to help avoid dehydration. Cold soft foods (eg, ice cream, Jello, oatmeal, pudding, yogurt) are ideal the first day. By the second day, consistency of foods can progress as tolerated. Until healing is more established, avoid foods such as nuts, chips, and popcorn that may get lodged in the surgical areas.

[ ] Oral Hygiene: Keeping the mouth clean is essential. Today, teeth may be brushed and flossed gently, but avoid stimulating the surgical site. Soreness and swelling may not permit vigorous brushing of all areas, but please make every effort to clean the teeth within the bounds of comfort.

[ ] Pain: Because some discomfort is expected, you may give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) before the numbness wears off. Do NOT give aspirin to your child. Follow the instructions on the bottle for dosing based upon your child’s age/weight. If pain is not relieved by one of these medications, please contact us.

[ ] Space maintainers: Your child had a space maintainer placed today. It was placed with permanent cement that is designed to stay in place until the permanent tooth begins to erupt. 

● Excessive drooling for 2-3 days is normal.

● Speech alterations are normal until your child becomes use to the appliance.

● Avoid chewing any sticky or crunchy foods (i.e. starbursts, skittles, gum, jolly ranchers, peanuts, ice, etc).

● If the appliance becomes loose for any reason, please bring your child in immediately.

[ ] Prescription: You were prescribed [ ] pain medicine [ ] antibiotics [ ] oral rinse [ ] other

Watch for:

[ ] Swelling: Slight swelling and inflammation may occur for the next 2 days. If swelling occurs,

ice packs may be used for the first 24 hours (10 minutes on then 10 minutes off) to decrease swelling and/or bruising. If swelling persists after 24 hours, warm/moist compresses (10 minutes on then 10 minutes off) may help. If swelling occurs after 48 hours, call our office.

[ ] Fever: A slight fever (temperature to 100.5°F) is not uncommon the first 48 hours after surgery. If a higher fever develops or the fever persists, call our office.

[ ] Dry Socket: Premature dissolving or loss of a blood clot following removal of a permanent tooth may result in a “dry socket”. This typically occurs on the 3rd to 5th day after the extraction, with a persistent throbbing pain in the jaw. Call our office if this occurs.

Contact and Location:

– Placentia

1041 E Yorba Linda Blvd #311. Placentia, CA 92870 

(714) 528-8252

– Garden Grove

12777 Valley View St #222, Garden Grove, CA

92845 (714) 893-7539

– Costa Mesa

2750 Harbor Blvd B6, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 

(714) 592-0039

– Cerritos

13047 Artesia Blvd -Ste C100, Cerritos, CA 90703 

(562) 542-2526

– Tustin

13931 Carroll Way -Ste C, Tustin – Orange County, CA 92780 

(714) 486-1419

– Long Beach

4251 Long Beach Boulevard, Suite A, Long Beach, CA 90807 

(562) 270-9719

– Lake Forest

21751 Lake Forest Drive #21, Lake Forest, CA 92630 

(949) 250-1100

After Hours Emergency Line: (714)-485-6211