Operating Room.......

• ACTIVITIES: Do NOT plan or permit activities for your child after treatment. Allow your child to rest. Closely supervise any activity for the remainder of the day. When sleeping, encourage your child to lie on his/her side or stomach.
  
  
• GETTING HOME: Two responsible adults must accompany your child. One adult should drive your child home and a second responsible adult must be available to take care of your child while driving home. Your child should be closely watched for signs of breathing difficulty and carefully secured in a car seat or seat belt during transportation.
  
  
• DRINKING or EATING after TREATMENT: After treatment, the first drink should be plain water. Clear liquids can be given next (fruit juice, sugar-free Kool-Aid, Gatorade, ginger ale, soup broth, etc). Small drinks taken repeatedly are preferable to taking large amounts. Soft, bland food may be taken when desired (mashed potatoes, yogurt, soup, pudding, ice cream, popsicles, etc.).
  
  
• TEMPERATURE ELEVATION: Your child's temperature may be elevated to 101 F (38 C) for the first 24 hours after treatment. Tylenol every 3-4 hours and fluids will help alleviate this condition. Temperature above 101° F (38° C) is cause to notify our office and your pediatrician.
  
  
• EXTRACTIONS: If your child had teeth removed, a small amount of bleeding is normal. Do NOT let your child spit, as this will cause more bleeding. In order to not disturb the blood clot, do NOT use a straw to drink for the first 24 hours. Also, remember that a small amount of blood mixed with saliva looks like more blood than it actually is.
  
  
• BRUSHING: Since your child has had a cleaning and fluoride treatment today, it is not necessary to resume tooth brushing and flossing until tomorrow morning. However, it is very important for you to brush and floss your child's teeth beginning tomorrow morning and on a daily basis thereafter, to prevent infection and future dental problems.
  
  
• SEEK ADVICE: If any of the following problems arise, call Southwest Pediatric Dentistry, or if the office cannot be reached, call the Emergency Department at your local hospital:
  
  
  • If vomiting persists beyond four (4) hours
    
    
  • If the temperature remains elevated beyond 24 hours or goes above 101° F (38° C).
    
    
  • If there is any difficulty breathing or coloration of the skin is poor.
    
    
  • If any other matter causes you concern.