Snug Dental’s Postoperative Instructions
Thank you for trusting Snug Dental with your child’s care. Our top priority is your child’s safety, comfort, and long-term oral health. This page is designed to help you navigate the recovery period after their procedure — providing clear guidance, reassurance, and support every step of the way. With our experienced team, gentle anesthesia care, and commitment to compassionate follow-up, you can feel confident your child is on the path to a healthy, happy smile.
Anesthesia Post-op Care & Expectations
Your child will be drowsy for several hours. Supervise closely and allow rest at home. Do not leave them unattended. Avoid physical activity for 24 hours. Even if your child seems fully awake, they may lack their usual coordination. When resting, keep your child’s head elevated. A soft pillow and lying on their side can help reduce the risk of nausea.
In the first 2 hours, start with clear liquids (diluted apple juice, Pedialyte, Gatorade). After tolerating fluids, offer soft foods such as mashed potatoes, yogurt, scrambled eggs, applesauce, or oatmeal. Avoid dairy (initially), hot, crunchy, spicy, sticky, or greasy foods. Limit straws or sucking motions for 24 hours.
Mild discomfort is expected after anesthesia wears off. It is also common to have a low grade fever (99-100°F) for the first 24 hours. Use children’s Tylenol or Ibuprofen as directed on the bottle. Do not give aspirin. Soreness typically improves within 48-72 hours.
Minor bleeding or pink-tinged saliva is normal for 2-3 hours due to the soft breathing tube that is placed through the nose and into the throat. Avoid straws, rough foods, or forceful coughing for the rest of the day. Crying or vigorous nose-blowing can make bleeding continue so try to keep your child calm and relaxed. If there is throat irritation, offer cool, soothing liquids (water, diluted juice, popsicles) or popsicles help reduce swelling and discomfort.
Some nausea may occur and is a common side effect of anesthesia. Drinking plenty of fluids can help to reduce the chance of vomiting and other post-op symptoms. If vomiting occurs, stop food intake, wait 30-60 mins, then slowly reintroduce clear fluids in small sips. Gradually return to soft foods. If vomiting persists or your child cannot keep fluids down, call our office.
Your child may be irritable, sleepy, or disoriented for up to 24 hours. Offer comfort and a calm environment. These effects are normal and should resolve by the next day.
Call our office at (408) 708-7315 or seek medical attention if your child experiences:
- Severe or increasing pain
- Persistent or heavy bleeding
- Fever over 101°F (38.3 °C)
- Swelling that worsens after 3 days
- Persistent vomiting lasting more than 6 hours
- Difficulty or noisy breathing
- Blood is not slowing down after 1 hour of pressure and your child seems unusually pale, weak, or lethargic (very rare)
- If any dental work becomes loose or falls out
Contact Us
Call or text Snug Dental at (408) 708-7315.
Dental Post-op Care & Expectations
Avoid brushing or flossing the surgical area for 24 hours. You may gently wipe teeth and gums with a soft cloth or brush areas not involved in the surgery. Resume gentle brushing the next day. Rinse with warm salt water (½ tsp salt in 1 cup water) 2–3 times daily to help speed up healing.
Local anesthetic was used during your child’s procedure. Their mouth will be “numb” for approx 2-3 hours. Watch them closely to see that your child does not bite, scratch or injure their cheek, lips, or tongue. Some children may become upset (even crying) and complain of pain when they realize their mouth feels “different.” Please do not be alarmed as many children, especially preschoolers are unfamiliar with this numb sensation and associate this feeling with pain. Reassure your child that the “funny feeling” will go away soon and attempt to distract him/her.
Mild swelling and discomfort are normal occurrences following some dental procedures and usually resolved in 24-48 hours. Children’s Motrin or ibuprofen is indicated (follow the directions on the bottle for children) if pain is unbearable. If your child has significant swelling, bruising or continuous moderate to severe pain, contact us.
Bleeding was controlled with gauze and firm pressure before we discharged your child. Some slight bleeding may occur, particularly if your child is crying, very active and/or running around. Hold gauze with firm pressure against the surgical site until oozing has stopped. If profound bleeding continues for more than 2 hours, contact us. Sometimes bleeding can start again after naps or sleeping due to saliva collecting around the surgical area and softening the blood clot slightly. This is to be expected and should stop quickly with 10–20 minutes of gentle pressure using fresh gauze or a damp tea bag.
Avoid sticky, hard, or chewy foods for the first 24 hours. Some mild sensitivity to hot or cold is normal for a few days.
Crowns may feel “high” for a few days. This usually adjusts naturally as your child chews. Avoid sticky or crunchy foods (gum, taffy, popcorn) to prevent dislodging. Brush around the crown carefully starting the next day. Temporary soreness at the gum line is normal.
Avoid using straws, spitting, or vigorous rinsing for 24-48 hours as it may prolong bleeding and disrupt the normal healing process. A soft blood clot must form in the socket. Disturbing it can cause discomfort or delay healing. Continue soft foods until the area feels healed (about 5–7 days).
Mild soreness or sensitivity is normal. Follow crown instructions if one was placed afterward. Continue regular hygiene to prevent future issues.
No special restrictions. Your child may eat normally after the numbness wears off. Continue routine brushing and flossing.
Avoid hard or sticky foods that could dislodge the appliance. Your child may feel the space maintainer with their tongue for a few days — this is normal. Brush around it gently but thoroughly. Contact us if it becomes loose or falls out.
Sutures (stitches) are placed to help control bleeding and promote healing. If sutures were placed, they will dissolve on their own and do not need to be removed.
We try our best to minimize or eliminate fear, anxiety, and any unpleasant experiences for your child. Sometimes, your child is already afraid before the start of the procedure and may not calm down even with our best efforts and your help. It is best to comfort your child, reassure him/her that everything will be fine, and distract their attention away from the new sensations in their mouth.
