If your child is enjoying a sugary or starchy snack during the day, it is more than likely that their teeth and gums are being exposed to decay-causing elements. If they do consume these things, we recommend they brush and floss their teeth after they are consumed or try and stay away from them altogether. In most cases, a soft diet is recommended for the first 48-hours after a procedure and to chew on the other side of the mouth and avoid hard and sticky foods. Also avoid foods that break into small pieces when chewed, such as raw vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and popcorn.

It is important to note that there may be sensitivity to hot and/or cold, pressure, and swelling after a dental procedure. In most cases, any discomfort will subside dramatically within the first 24-48-hours.

After a major procedure, most discomfort can be managed with an over-the-counter pain reliver. If more pain control is necessary, please contact our clinic. Pain medications work best when taken before the pain reaches its worst. Pain medications should be taken on a schedule and never more than the recommended dose. An acute or persistent toothache is common with most orthodontic treatment, however, another cause of toothache is decay. Decay is a bacterial infection that can spread through many parts of the tooth, and even into the gum tissue. Sometimes, a toothache indicates there may need to be root canal treatment — a procedure that not only relieves the discomfort but can also keep a tooth from needing to be extracted. Other times, the discomfort may be caused by a loose filling or by a crack. The only way to know for sure what is causing a toothache is to make a visit with our pediatric dentist.

Avoid using straws, spitting, vigorous swishing of fluids, and smoking, as all these activities can interfere with the healing process.

When brushing, we recommend using a soft-bristle toothbrush as it is gentler on teeth and gums. As for toothpaste, this depends on your child’s oral health as there are different toothpaste recommendations depending on their individual needs. If you are curious about which toothbrush or toothpaste is best for your child, please call our clinic to set up a visit.

Your child’s gums may be tender around the tooth that has been worked on. Keeping their gums clean with gentle brushing, flossing, and rinsing with warm saltwater (1/2 tsp of regular table salt in 8oz of warm water) will help their gums recover more quickly.