Palo Alto Pediatric Dentist
We understand that trying to find a nearby pediatric dentist you can trust is difficult, that is why we make it easy for you to work with us.
(650) 289-9200
4149 El Camino Way, Suite B, Palo Alto, CA, 94306
help@youngteeth.com
(650) 289-9200
Post-Surgical Pediatric Dental Care For Kids
Depending on how well your child takes care of their oral health; depends on how often you need to bring them in for a visit our dental practice. Our goal is to catch any oral health issues early, to ensure that we can find a solution sooner rather than later. However, for those children who have experienced a root canal, surgical extraction, or have recently had a filling or crown placed, there are recommendations they should follow.
List of Services
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Diet
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.
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Pain Relief
After a major procedure, most discomfort can be managed with an over-the-counter pain reliever. 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 an appointment with our pediatric dentist.
Avoid using straws, spitting, vigorous swishing of fluids, and smoking, as all these activities can interfere with the healing process.
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Proper Care
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 practice to setup an appointment.
Your child’s gums may be tender around the tooth that has been worked on. Keeping their gums clean with gentle flossing, brushing, and rinsing with warm saltwater (1/2 tsp of regular table salt in 8oz of warm water) will help their gums recover more quickly.