Dental and Oral Home Care

Dental Surgery After Care

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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
Care after dental 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