Dental Surgery After Care
Explanation | Activity and care | Diet | Medications | When to call the Doctor | Follow-up care
What should I expect after surgery?
Following are symptoms you can expect your child to experience after he / she has dental treatment under general anesthesia. He or she may experience:
- Slight bleeding from the mouth if teeth have been removed
Nausea or vomiting
- Pain in the mouth, jaw or neck
- A slight rise in temperature for 24 hours
- Drowsiness for several hours after returning home
Activity and care guidelines
- Insist on rest and quiet activities for 24 hours after surgery
- Closely supervise your child's activities for the rest of the day if he / she appears unsteady due to the medications given
- Do not allow your child to use straws for 48 hours if he / she has teeth removed
- Allow your child to brush his / her teeth the same day of surgery
Diet
- Begin your child's diet with clear liquids such as apple juice, soft drinks, water, Kool-Aid", gelatin or Gatorade". You may increase the diet slowly to include milk and soft foods. Keep on a soft diet for 24 hours if any tooth / teeth was / were removed.
- Advance to a regular diet as tolerated.
- Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids.
Medications
- An acetaminophen product (Tylenol", Panadol") may be given every four to six hours to help relieve pain and elevated temperature. Other medications may be suggested by your doctor.
- Avoid use of aspirin and Pepto-Bismol" products.
Call the doctor
- If your child's vomiting persists for more than four hours
- If your child's temperature remains above 101°F (38.3°C) for over 24 hours
- If your child has difficulty breathing
- If you are unable to control your child's pain with acetaminophen (Tylenol") or any other prescribed medication
- If you have any other quesitons or concerns
Follow-up care
A follow-up appointment should be made as indicated by the dentist.
Contact Us
For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
Rev. 5/06
