- Monitor your child and be sure they do not bite, chew, suck, scratch, or rub the part of their mouth that is numb, such as their lips, cheek, and/or tongue.
- An injury to their cheek, lip, or tongue may bleed or appear red and raw. Swelling will occur and the injured areas will turn to a white or yellowish color as part of the healing process.
- If possible, refrain from feeding your child until the numbness wears off and normal feeling has returned. If unable to refrain from eating, instruct them to eat on the side that is not numb and encourage nourishment that doesn't require chewing. A friendly reminder to always rinse with water after eating or drinking, especially smoothies or shakes (if your child had a tooth removed, avoid using straws for one day).
- If an injury has been sustained, clean the area with warm salt water rinses and apply a cold pack to the side of the injury. Keep pressure with a clean gauze to help stop any bleeding.
- For further information, contact us at 808-488-1988.
- Keep the gauze on the extraction site with pressure for 30-45 minutes.
- Do not to touch the gauze to check the site or change out the gauze too often as this will prolong bleeding. Consistent pressure is the best way to stop any bleeding.
- If the area is still bleeding after 30-45 minutes, replace with a new gauze that is slightly moist and maintain pressure for another 30-45 minutes.
- If you cannot stop the bleeding, contact us at 808-488-1988.
- Maintain fluid intake but do not use a straw for the first 24 hours.
- Begin with soft foods at room temperature or cooler for the first 24 hours.
- Do not rinse or brush the teeth in the area for the first night after the tooth removal.
- Do start brushing, flossing, and normal home care the following day.
- Discover if your child is interested in trading their tooth with the Tooth Fairy so the Tooth Fairy knows to pick-up their tooth.
White (Composite) Fillings: The filling is fully set and ok to chew on once any numbness has gone away. You may not see the filling as it is tooth colored. These fillings require dry conditions and take the longest to complete as each step of placing the filling is technique sensitive and requires a set amount of time to complete before moving on to the next step.
Silver (Amalgam) Fillings: These fillings are the best option under wet conditions (unable to keep the mouth dry during the filling). Please allow 24 hours for the filling to fully set, so please help your child to avoid hard foods until the following day.
Glass Ionomer Fillings: These fillings are not as strong as the white or silver filings, but perform well under slightly wet conditions and release fluoride to decrease further decay. These fillings are a good alternative to white fillings when we are unable to keep the mouth dry, when the patient's cooperation requires a very fast procedure, or in children with a high risk of further decay. Please allow 24 hours for the filling to fully set, so please help your child to avoid hard foods until the following day. Avoid hot food or beverages and brush the area very lightly for the first day.
These appliances may be required when a baby tooth is removed before they would naturally fall out during your child's growth. This helps to maintain space for the permanent teeth to grow out normally. You child may have discomfort for the first few days and will require time to get used to the appliance in their mouth.
- Avoid eating for 2 hours and stick to soft foods for the first day.
- Remind your child to brush the appliance and the tooth it's on as bacteria will grow on it like they do on teeth.
- Please avoid hard or sticky foods as these types of foods may break or damage the appliance, requiring the cost and time to replace it.
- If the appliance becomes loose or falls out, please keep the appliance and call us at 808-488-1988.
Your child may be referred to another dental or medical professional for further care. Please schedule an appointment with these professionals so that your child can reach or maintain their optimal well-being.
For example, we may recommend a visit with your pediatrician to check your child's allergies or tonsils as this could affect their quality of sleep, growth, and development. While we cannot diagnose any medical conditions such as sleep apnea, we are familiar with the dental signs and symptoms that may suggest underlying medical concerns could be affecting your child's growth and development.
Sometimes, the expertise of another dental professional will be needed for your child's care. At 'Aiea Pearl City Dental Care, we are a family office of general dentists, like a family physician. Sometimes, your physician will refer you to a cardiologist or endocrinologist so that you may receive the best healthcare possible. In the same way, the knowledge and experience of a dental specialist such as an orthodontist, oral surgeon, or pediatric dentist may be in the best interest of your child's care.
Please consider, it is normal for your child to be afraid of the dentist and it is ok if we are unable to provide care to them. If so, it may be in your child's best interest to be referred to a pediatric dentist who has received the proper training in child development and behavior management, rather than delaying dental care or further traumatizing your child during subsequent dental visits. Some of us adults are still scared of the dentist, the dark, or bugs!
Thank you for allowing us to care for your family. Please contact us if you have any questions, concerns, suggestions or requests as we are always learning and growing on this never ending journey to providing a caring experience for you and your family.