• IF POSSIBLE, DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO EAT UNTIL THE ANESTHETIC HAS WORN OFF to avoid the accidental biting of their lips, cheek or tongue. If your child is hungry, a smoothie or milkshake is a good alternative until the numbness wears off.
  • MONITOR YOUR CHILD’S ACTIONS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT INTENTIONALLY CHEWING ON OR SQUEEZING THEIR LIPS, CHEEK, OR TONGUE. This sensation of being numb can be completely different for a kid, and they may pick at, bite, scratch, or pressure the region without realizing the damage they are causing. So, it is important to keep a close eye on them to try to prevent this from occurring. If your kid bites his or her lip, cheek, or tongue, apply light pressure with a moist towel to stop the bleeding, then lay an ice pack on the region for 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off for around an hour, three times a day to minimize swelling. You can also give your child a Children’s Tylenol or Children’s Motrin to help with any pain. The area may appear white/red, feel warm to the touch and be swollen but don’t be alarmed, this is normal and does not indicate an infection. These areas should heal within 4-5 days.
  • DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO EAT ANYTHING STICKY, CHEWY OR HARD AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO CHEW ON THE OTHER SIDE. Foods like hard candies, fruit snacks, chewing gum, taffy, caramels, and other sticky foods might dislodge the crown, so avoid them in general. For the first 24 hours, it is recommended to keep your child to a soft diet and have them chew on the other side since the tooth and surrounding gums can be sensitive following any dental procedure.
  • IF YOUR CHILD’S CROWN COMES LOOSE OR COMES OFF, please call our office and please be sure to hold onto the crown and bring it with you to your child’s appointment so it can be recemented if possible.
  • IF YOUR CHILD GRINDS THEIR TEETH, CHECK ON THE CROWN EVERY SO OFTEN. A small hole could eventually wear through the biting surface of the crown or the crown could also deform in shape depending on the severity of your child’s grinding. If this does occur, please call our office and we will determine the best way to proceed.
  • YOUR CHILD’S TOOTH/TEETH MAY FEEL SENSITIVE BUT THIS IS NORMAL and should subside over the next few days. This may include sensitivity to hot, cold and pressure. As long as the sensitivity continues to lessen, there is no need for concern. If the pain is severe or they are unable eat or bite down on the tooth/teeth after 24-48 hours, please call our office.
  • BE CAREFUL WHEN BRUSHING AND FLOSSING. It is important that you and your child continue their normal brushing and flossing routine but it is normal for the tooth/teeth and surrounding gum tissue to be sore and red for the first few days so gentle brushing and flossing of that area may be more comfortable. If your child uses an electric or battery powered toothbrush, you can try turning off the brush and manually brushing that tooth gently if needed.
  • TAKE MEDICATION as instructed by the doctor. To reduce pain or soreness, your child can take Children’s Tylenol or Children’s Motrin as directed per the manufacturer label unless they are allergic or have otherwise been instructed not to take it. The correct dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen for a child is based on body weight. Note that acetaminophen and ibuprofen have different doses and different lengths of time between doses. Also, it may take up to an hour for the medication to start helping. If using only ibuprofen is not helping to make your child feel more comfortable you can try giving the two medications together. When giving acetaminophen and ibuprofen together make sure you do not give acetaminophen more often than once every four hours and ibuprofen more often than once every six hours. NEVER GIVE ADULT MEDICINE TO CHILDREN AND ALWAYS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE LABEL

Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil)

For children 6 months and older

Can give every 6-8 hours

Max daily dose 2400mg / 24 hours

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Can give every 4-6 hours

Max daily dose 3000mg / 24 hours

Please Call our office if:

  • If your child bit their lip, cheek or tongue and the area will not stop bleeding or the injury is significant and you need further assistance
  • If your child bit their lip, cheek or tongue and it is not healing after 5-7 days or it appears infected (typical signs of infection might include continued swelling, drainage, and/or redness).
  • If your child’s crown becomes loose or comes off. Please be sure to hold onto the crown and bring it with you to your child’s appointment so it can be recemented if possible.
  • If the pain is severe or your child is unable to eat or bite down on the tooth/teeth after 24 – 48 hours.

Furthermore, Learn How Bad Oral Health Affects Overall Well-Being in Children