Emergencies & Post-Operative Instructions

Emergencies

If your child has an accident, please call our office as soon as possible.  If it is after hours emergency, the office answering machine will connect you with Dr. Kubovich. 

Time is critical after a dental trauma has occurred.  The faster you act the better the chances of saving the tooth.  If a permanent tooth has been knocked out, gently rinse, but not scrub the tooth under cool water.  Replace the tooth in the socket if possible.  If this is impossible, place the tooth in a clean container of milk and come to the office immediately. 

If the tooth is fractured bring along any pieces that you can find.

Please keep the traumatized area as clean as possible.  A wet towel or cloth may be used to help heal the area.

If the swelling should re-occur please call our office as soon as possible.  Ice should be administered during the first 24 hours to keep swelling to a minimum.

Watch for darkening of traumatized teeth.  This could be an indication of a dying nerve (pulp).

Watch for infection (gum boils) in the area of the trauma.  If infection is noticed, call the office so we may examine the area.

Maintain a soft diet for two to three days, or until the child is ready to return to a normal diet.

Avoid sweets or foods that are extremely hot or cold.

If antibiotics or pain medications are prescribed, follow the prescription as directed.

If you have any further questions or concerns please do not hesitate to call the office at (515) 225-0066.

Post Operative Instructions

Care of the mouth after Local Anesthetic
Your child has had local anesthetic for their dental procedure:

• If the procedure was on the lower jaw…the tongue, teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will be numb or asleep.
• If the procedure was in the upper jaw…the teeth, lip and surrounding tissues will be numb or asleep.

It is important that you pay close attention to your child for two hours or until the numbness subsides.  Children often will scratch, chew, suck, or play with the numb area.  These actions can cause mild irritations or be severe enough to cause swelling and abrasions to the tissue.  We recommend liquids only until the anesthetic has worn off. 

If you have any questions or concerns please call the office.

Extraction Post Operative Instructions

Watch your child closely for two hours or until the numbness wears off to avoid injury to the lip, check or tongue.  Do not allow your child to scratch, suck, or bite the numb area.

Keep cotton gauze in place with slight pressure for 20 to 30 minutes.  Replace the gauze with a new piece as needed.  If bleeding re-occurs later place a piece of gauze with pressure for 20 minutes.  A tea bag may also be placed at the extraction site to help control bleeding.  Repeat as needed.

Give your child the appropriate dosage of children’s Tylenol or Motrin as soon after the procedure as possible.  DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN.  Most discomfort should subside within 24 hours.

• Avoid drinking through a straw or sippy cup.  Encourage plain liquids (water).
• Avoid spitting.
• Avoid strenuous activity for several hours following the extractions.
• Maintain a soft diet for one or two days, or until the child feels comfortable returning to a normal diet.
• Keep the extraction area as clean as possible.  Use warm salt water rinses ¼ teaspoon of salt to a glass of water.  Do not swish forcefully.
• It is not uncommon to have swelling after an extraction.  Apply an ice pack for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off as needed following the extraction. 

If you have any questions or concerns please call the office (515) 225-0066.

Care for Stainless Steel Crowns
Stainless steel crowns are indicated for the restoration of baby and permanent molars when the teeth have large cavities, when pulp (nerve) therapy has been performed, or as temporary restorations for fractured teeth.  Also, in cases where failure of other restorative methods (silver or white fillings) has occurred, and the defect is too large for another filling, a stainless steel crown is indicated.

The gums around the tooth may be irritated for several days and may even bleed when brushing.  Continue brushing and flossing as usual, as clean gums will heal faster and stay healthy.  Your child may experience some mild or temporary soreness in the area of the crown.  If any discomfort occurs your child may take ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) as needed.

A thorough cleaning unavoidably produces some bleeding and swelling and may cause some tenderness or discomfort.  This is not due to a "rough cleaning", but to tender and inflamed gums from insufficient oral hygiene.  We recommend the following for 2-3 days after cleaning was performed:
1)  A warm salt water rinse 2 - 3 times per day 
    ( 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water)
2)  For discomfort use Children's Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as
     directed for the age of the child.
If you have any questions or concerns please call the office (515) 225- 0066.

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