Please note that the following instructions are for common children’s treatments:
Stainless Steel Crowns
Your child has had stainless steel crowns placed to restore badly decayed baby teeth. The decay was removed and in some cases, if the decay was into the nerve of the tooth, the nerve was removed and a special medication placed. This procedure is called a pulpotomy.
The crowns are cemented in place. The gums around them may be tender –slightly painful- for a day or two. The child may mention that his/her “bite” feels funny at first but this will correct itself. Brush these crowns just like the other teeth. They will get wiggly and fall out with the baby tooth at the normal time when the permanent tooth wants to erupt.
Your child must avoid sticky foods like toffee, sticky candy, suckers, bubble gum, etc. as these things may pull off a crown. If a crown does come off they are easily re-cemented but this must be done as soon as possible. Keep the crown and phone your dentist’s office for an appointment to have this done.
If your child had anesthesia for the procedure, please make sure that he/she doesn’t bite his/her cheek or lips till the anesthesia wears off.
Space Maintainers
Your child has had a tooth removed and a spacer cemented. The spacer is meant to hold the space between two teeth for the adult tooth to erupt into the space and drift towards the cheeks or the tongue. When the adult tooth can be seen erupting through the gums, it is time for the spacer to be removed.
Brush the spacer to keep plaque and food from sticking to it. Your child must avoid sticky foods like toffee, sticky candy, suckers or bubble gum as these may damage or pull the spacer out of place. If this happens, the spacer can be easily re-cemented if done as soon as possible. Keep the spacer and phone your dentist’s office for an appointment.
Baby Tooth Extraction
Baby teeth are shorter than adult teeth but may be much wider. The socket will typically bleed for half an hour. Biting on gauze for 30 minutes, if possible, will help keep this under control. Any infection or abscess in the baby tooth should go away once the tooth is removed so no additional antibiotics will be necessary. Children’s Tylenol or Advil is all that may be required for the first few hours after treatment. Brushing can be started again the very next day. Choose foods for the first days that aren’t going to hurt the healing gums. Let your child enjoy a cold drink and/or ice cream after the numbness has gone.
Please make sure that your child doesn’t bite his/her cheek or lips till the anesthesia wears off.
When an anesthetic has been used, your lips and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid any chewing and hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off. It is very easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while you are numb.
It is normal to experience some hot, cold & pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Injection sites may also be sore. If your general health permits, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as (Brufen, Doloraz), Paracetamol such as (Panadol, Tylenol) or aspirin (one tablet every 3-4 hours as needed for pain) work well to alleviate the tenderness. If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days or if the sensitivity to hot or cold increases, contact Dr. Raed M. Abutteen Dental Center at +962 7 9100 8087 8087 9100 7 962+, +962 7 8100 80878087 8100 7 962+ .
You may chew with your composite fillings as soon as the anesthetic completely wears off, since they are fully set when you leave the office.
Remember that it will take time to adjust to the feel of your new bite. When the bite is altered or the position of the teeth is changed it takes several days for the muscles and nerves to recognize the new position of your teeth or their thickness as normal. If you continue to detect any high spots or problems with your bite, please call Dr. Raed M. Abutteen Dental Center office at +962 7 9100 8087 8087 9100 7 962+, +962 7 8100 8087 8087 8100 7 962+ so we can schedule an adjustment appointment.
It is normal to experience some hot and cold sensitivity. The teeth require some time to heal after removal of tooth structure and will be sensitive in the interim. Your gums may also be sore for a few days. Warm salt water rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) three times a day will reduce pain and swelling. A mild pain medication (one tablet of Tylenol or Ibuprofen every 3-4 hours) should ease any residual discomfort.
Don’t be concerned if your speech is affected for the first few days. You’ll quickly adapt and be speaking normally. You may notice increased salivation. This is because your brain is responding to the new size and shape of your teeth. This should subside to normal in about a week.
Daily brushing and flossing are a must for your new dental work. Daily plaque removal is critical for the long-term success of your new teeth, as are regular in office cleaning appointments.
Any food that can crack, chip or damage a natural tooth can do the same to your new teeth. Avoid hard foods and substances (such as nut shells, peanut brittle, ice, fingernails, or pencils) and sticky candies. Smoking will stain your new teeth. Minimize or avoid foods that stain such as coffee, red wine, tea and berries.
If you engage in sports let us know so we can make a custom mouth guard to protect your teeth while being engaged in your sport activity. If you grind your teeth at night, wear the night guard we have provided for you. Adjusting to the look and feel of your new smile will take time. If you have any problems or concerns, please let us know. We always welcome your questions.
Crowns and bridges usually take two or three appointments to complete. In the first visit, the teeth are prepared and molds of the mouth are taken. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the final restoration is being made. Since the teeth will be anesthetized, the tongue, lips and roof of the mouth may be numb. Please refrain from eating and drinking hot beverages until the numbness is completely worn off.
Occasionally a temporary crown may come off. Call Dr. Raed M. Abutteen Dental Center office at +962 7 9100 8087 8087 9100 7 962+ , +962 7 8100 8087 if this happens and bring the temporary crown with you so we can re-cement it. It is very important for the temporary to stay in place, as it will prevent other teeth from moving and compromising the fit of your final restoration.
To keep your temporaries in place, avoid eating sticky foods (gum), hard foods, and if possible, chew on the opposite side of your mouth. It is important to brush normally, but floss carefully and don’t pull up on the floss which may dislodge the temporary but pull the floss out from the side of the temporary crown.
It is normal to experience some temperature and pressure sensitivity after each appointment. The sensitivity should subside a few weeks after the placement of the final restoration. Mild pain medications may also be used as directed by our office.
If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our Dr. Raed M. Abutteen Dental Center office at +962 7 9100 8087 8087 9100 7 962+, +962 7 8100 8087 8087 8100 7 962+ .
Please read and follow these procedures. They will make you more comfortable and will help to prevent any possible complications.
Care of Your Mouth
Start brushing, flossing, and continue your prescribed oral hygiene regime immediately. You may have to GO EASY at first, but make every effort to keep your mouth free of plaque. We recommend rinsing your mouth several times on the day of treatment with warm salt water (use ¼ tsp. salt to 8 oz. water).
Discomfort
Some discomfort is expected when the anesthesia wears off. Usually a couple of acetaminophen or ibuprofen will eliminate any discomfort. Sensitivity to cold or touch may temporarily occur. Removing all plaque from the tooth surfaces and brushing with a fluoride toothpaste or gel that we may prescribe will usually reduce or eliminate sensitivity in a day or two.
Eating
Your next meal should be soft. Avoid any hard, gritty foods such as peanuts, popcorn, chips, or hard bread for at least 3-4 days. Also, it is best to avoid hot, spicy foods and alcohol for at least 24 hours.
Bleeding
Slight bleeding may continue for several hours following the procedure. This is not unusual and should stop. If bleeding persists beyond a few hours, please call our office.
Swelling
Very seldom does swelling occur. If it does, rinse your mouth every couple of hours with warm salt water (use ¼ tsp. salt to 8 oz. water).
Smoking
Please refrain from smoking for 24 hours or longer after scaling and root planing procedures. Tobacco use interferes with the healing.
Exercise
Avoid any aerobic activity, e.g., jogging, tennis, racket ball, or anything strenuous, for the rest of the day. Take it easy.
Be sure to call our office ,if you have any questions or concerns. If you believe you have an emergency situation at any time, call the office at +962 7 9100 80878087 9100 7 962+ Dr. Raed M. Abutteen Dental Center cell phone at +962 7 9100 80878087 9100 7 962+.