Home Care for Children Having Dental Rehab

Your child may feel sleepy for the next 24 hours after anesthesia. Please do not leave the child alone. Children should rest at home but may be up and about. Don’t let your child do any hard playing or anything that needs quick reflexes for 24 hours. After 24 hours the child can play as always. Begin brushing teeth tomorrow.

Your child may have some nausea and vomiting but this should last a short time. If your child does vomit, wait about 30 minutes before giving liquids such as water or clear juice. If there is no nausea, move slowly to a regular diet. Start with clear liquids and stay away from fatty food and dairy products.

Bleeding: Your child will likely have bleeding around the gums after cleanings, fillings, crowns or extractions. This should stop within a couple of days. Unusual or constant bleeding might happen if teeth were removed. Place cotton gauze or a tea bag firmly over the extraction area. Have the child bite down or hold it in place for 15 minutes. Repeat if needed and call your dental clinic if bleeding does not stop.

Pain: Your child may or may not feel sore. Your child may have a sore throat after anesthesia for 24-48 hours. You may give Children’s Tylenol® (acetaminophen), Motrin® or Advil® (ibuprofen) if needed. Warm salt water rinses (1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup warm water), 2-3 times a day, should follow a cleaning for 2-3 days.

Fever: A low-grade fever, 99-100° F, is normal. If your child still has a fever over 101.5° for 24 hours please call your child’s doctor or urgent care.

Care of the Mouth After Extractions

Watch your child closely for about 2 hours after the visit. Keep your child on a liquid or soft diet until the anesthetic has worn off.

• Do not let your child scratch, chew, suck, or rub the lips, tongue, or cheek while they feel numb or asleep. Watch your child closely so he/she does not injure his/her lip, tongue, or cheek before the anesthesia wears off.

• Do not let your child rinse the mouth for several hours.

• Do not let your child spit a lot.

• Do not let your child drink carbonated drinks (Coke, Sprite, etc.) for the rest of the day.

• Do not let your child drink through a straw for 24 hours.

• Keep your child’s fingers and tongue away from the extraction area.

Children’s Dental Center of Madison

Dr. Liam Smyth  608-833-6545

Dr. Allison Dowd  608-288-1543

Dr. Tony Hernandez 608-825-7500 

Dr. Cecilia Thompson 608-825-7500

Madison Pediatric Dental

Dr. Grace Wenham  608-222-6160

Dr. Beth Blair  608-222-6160