Extractions:

The gauze needs to stay in place with biting pressure for 15-30 minutes. This will reduce the amount of bleeding.

Give your child the appropriate dose of children’s Tylenol, Motrin or Advil when you take the gauze out (NO aspirin). Your child should only need this for approximately 12 to 24 hours. If pain persists beyond 48 hours, please call our office.

Allow your child to begin eating only soft foods (mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, yogurt, jell-o, etc) for the first 24 hours. Please avoid sharp, crunchy foods because the area may be a sensitive. Encourage plenty of liquids (water, soups, etc.). You can transition to a regular diet as the gum tissue begins to heal.

NO spitting or drinking through a straw or “sippy” cup for 24 hours. The force can start the bleeding again.
A clean mouth heals faster. Gentle brushing around the extraction site can be started immediately along with warm salt water rinses (1/4 teaspoon to a glass of water) to aid with any discomfort.

Activity may need to be limited.

Your child’s cheek, lip and tongue will be numb for approximately 1-2 hours. Please be very careful that your child does not bite at his/her cheek or scratch this area. As this area “wakes up” it may feel funny. A self-inflicted bite injury is the most common post-op complication. Please monitor your child closely.

Care of the Mouth after Local Anesthetic

Your child has had local anesthetic for his/her dental procedure:

• If the procedure was in the lower jaw… the tongue, teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will be numb.
• If the procedure was in the upper jaw… the teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will be numb.

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. Please watch your child closely for approximately two hours following the appointment. It is our recommendation to keep your child on a liquid or soft diet until the anesthetic has worn off.

Conscious sedation is a way of using medication to relax a child without the loss of consciousness.

Who should be sedated?

Dr. Schwartz may recommend conscious sedation for children with severe anxiety and/or the inability to cooperate during treatment. He will discuss the pros and cons of sedation on a case-by-case basis.

Why use conscious sedation?

Conscious sedation aids in calming a child so that he or she can accept dental treatment in a more relaxed state. This can prevent injury to the patient and provide a better environment for delivering quality dental care.

Is sedation safe?

Advanced education in pediatric dentistry offers advanced training to administer, monitor, and manage sedated patients. Dr. Aaron is both certified in CPR/Pediatric Advanced Life Support and exceed the standard of care in his monitoring and emergency equipment.

General anesthesia provides a way to effectively complete dental care in an operating room facility in a hospital. Usually only children with severe anxiety and/or severe tooth decay are recommended for general anesthesia. Typically, these children are very young or have compromised health concerns.

Is general anesthesia safe?

YES. While normal risks are always present with surgery, a pediatric anesthesiologist will put your child to sleep. They are responsible for delivering the general anesthesia, monitoring and the medical care of the child. Many precautions are taken to provide safety for the child during general anesthesia care. Anesthesia personnel, who are trained to manage potential complications, monitor patients closely during the general anesthesia procedure. We can discuss the benefits and risks involved with general anesthesia and why it is recommended for your child’s treatment.

What special considerations are associated with the general anesthesia appointment?

Usually, your child’s surgery is performed as an “outpatient” basis. Surgery will occur in the morning and your child will be discharged in the afternoon to return home.

A physical examination – is required prior to a general anesthesia appointment to complete dental care. This physical examination provides information to ensure the safety of the general anesthesia procedure. We will advise you about any evaluation appointments that may be requested.

Prior to surgery – Gently discuss with your child about the appointment; this may reduce anxiety. Explain to them that they are “going to go to sleep when their teeth are being fixed”. Avoid using words like “hurt”.

Eating and drinking – You will be informed about food and fluid intake guidelines prior to the appointment.It is absolutely essential that no food or liquids be consumed after midnight the night before surgery.

Changes in your child’s health – If your child is sick or running a fever, contact us immediately! It may be necessary to arrange another appointment.

Usually, children are tired following general anesthesia. You may wish to return home with minimal activity planned for your child until the next day. After that, your child will usually be able to return their routine schedule.

The majority of children stop sucking on thumbs, fingers, pacifiers or other objects on their own between two and three years of age without any harm being done to their teeth or jaws. However, children that repeatedly suck on a finger, pacifier or other object over long periods of time may cause the upper front teeth to tip toward the lip or not come in properly. We will carefully monitor the direction of tooth eruption into the mouth. Often times, problems that arise related to oral habits will correct themselves if stopped in a timely manner. However, the longer the habit persists, the more likely it will cause a permanent malformation of the jaw and related skeleton.

What can I do to stop my child’s habit?

The majority of children stop sucking habits on their own. Some children may need the help of their parents. When your child is old enough to understand the possible results of an oral habit, we will encourage your child to stop. We will explain to them what happens to the teeth if he/she doesn’t stop. It is very important to get children to want to stop and to realize that it is a part of growing up.This will greatly increase their chances of terminating the habit.Once your child wants to stop, a reward system and earnest reminders will help he/she accomplish the goal.If all other options have been exhausted, we will discuss with you the use of a fixed dental appliance to exhaust the habit.

Athletic mouth protectors are soft plastic mouth guards made specifically for your child’s teeth. They protect the teeth, lips, cheeks and tongue. They can help protect children from such serious head and neck injuries as concussions and jaw fractures. Increasingly, organized sports are requiring mouth guards to prevent injury to their athletes. Research shows that most oral injuries occur when athletes are not wearing mouth protection.

For the average child, the ideal time for orthodontics will be just before the last of the primary/baby teeth naturally fall out. This will usually occur at approximately eleven. However, there are circumstances in which children benefit from phase I or interceptive orthodontics. For this reason, the American Association of Orthodontists typically recommends that children have a screening appointment with an orthodontist at age seven. At this time, the orthodontist will discuss future treatments, including the timing of such treatment.

Yes. Some children with disabilities are more susceptible to tooth decay, gum disease or oral trauma. Certain medications, special diets, or oral habits detrimental to dental health are common among special-needs children. If preventive dental care is started early and followed conscientiously, every child can enjoy a healthy smile.

How can I prevent dental problems for my special-needs child?

A first dental visit (Well-Care visit) by age one will be the beginning to a lifetime of good dental health. We will obtain a full medical history, perform an examination of your child’s teeth and gums, and then develop a preventive care plan specifically designed for your child’s needs.

Will preventive dentistry benefit my special-needs child?

Yes! Your child will benefit from the preventive approach recommended for all children- effective daily brushing and flossing, moderation of snacking and proper amounts of fluoride. Adequate oral home care takes minutes a day and will prevent many dental problems. Regular professional cleanings and fluoride treatments will help prevent or help catch problems early if they should arise.

Is Pediatric Dentistry of Smyrna prepared to care for special-needs children?

Specialty education in pediatric dentistry provides additional training that focuses specifically on the care for children with special health-care needs. Our office is designed to be physically accessible for special-needs patients.

If your child has a dental emergency during office ours, please call our office as soon as possible.We will see you child immediately. If it is an after-hours emergency, a pager number will be given on the answering machine. If you are unable to reach a member of our team, proceed to the emergency room to ensure treatment in a timely manner.If your child lost consciousness related to the injury call 911.

Treating a permanent tooth that has been “knocked out” within the first few minutes is critical for the survival of that tooth. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, gently rinse, but do not scrub the tooth under water. Replace the tooth in the socket if possible. If this is impossible, place the tooth in a glass of milk or a clean wet cloth and come to the office immediately. If the tooth is fractured, please bring in any pieces you can find.If a baby tooth is knocked out, we do not recommend putting the tooth back in the mouth.

Our normal schedule may be delayed in order to accommodate an injured child. Please accept our apologies in advance should an emergency occur during your child’s appointment.

Parents are invited back to accompany their child during the initial examination and during any treatment your child may receive. Parents are always allowed to accompany any child three years of age or younger We do encourage parents, however, to allow children to enter the treatment area alone if we think your child will behave better and have a more positive experience. Please let our receptionist know if you request special accommodations. If your child needs to be sedated for treatment or needs hospital dentistry care under general anesthesia, parents are asked not to accompany their child. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Although primary teeth are often called baby teeth, the first tooth is usually lost around age six, while primary molars are normally lost between 10 to 13 years of age. Primary teeth are necessary for proper chewing, speech, development of the jaws, and esthetics. Taking care of primary teeth is important for proper oral function, to prevent cavities on permanent teeth, and to prevent pain and infections from occurring.