After your child’s appointment, it’s natural to want to know exactly what to expect once you’re back home. Most children settle quickly after routine dental treatment such as a filling, crown, pulpotomy or extraction, and any discomfort is usually mild and short-lived. This guide covers some general, practical aftercare principles that apply to many common in-chair treatments. It isn’t a substitute for the specific instructions your child’s clinician gives you on the day — those will always be tailored to the exact treatment your child had, and are the ones to follow first.
Please note: this article does not cover recovery from treatment under general anaesthesia (GA). GA involves different, more detailed aftercare instructions, which are provided separately as part of your child’s GA pathway.
While the numbness wears off
If your child has had an injection to numb the area, that numb feeling can take a little while to fully wear off after the appointment. During this time:
- Avoid hot food and drinks until sensation has fully returned, to prevent accidental burns.
- Keep an eye on younger children in particular. A numb lip, cheek or tongue can feel unusual, and some children will chew, suck or bite the area without realising — which can cause soreness or swelling that has nothing to do with the treatment itself.
- Soft, cool foods are a good choice while your child is still numb, as they’re gentler and easier to manage.
Once the numbness has completely worn off, normal eating and drinking can usually resume.
Mild discomfort or sensitivity is common
Some mild discomfort, tenderness or sensitivity around the treated tooth is fairly common after procedures like fillings, crowns, pulpotomies and extractions. This generally settles on its own within a short period. Every child and every treatment is a little different, so rather than expecting a fixed number of days, the best guide is the trend: discomfort that is gradually easing is expected, while discomfort that is getting worse is not.
Your child’s clinician will let you know if any pain relief is appropriate for your child, and how to give it. Please follow their specific instructions, or check with your pharmacist or GP if you have questions about dosing — we don’t recommend making dosing decisions based on general information alone.
Eating and drinking afterwards
For the first little while after treatment — especially after an extraction or any procedure involving numbing — it’s a good idea to offer soft, cool foods rather than anything hot, hard, crunchy or chewy. Think yoghurt, mashed foods, smoothies or similar. This helps protect the treated area while it settles and reduces the chance of your child biting down awkwardly while still numb.
Your child’s clinician will tell you if there’s anything specific to avoid for their particular treatment, such as chewing on one side or avoiding certain foods for a longer period.
Keeping the area clean
Unless your child’s clinician has told you otherwise, gentle oral hygiene can continue as normal around the treated area. Brushing gently, rather than skipping the area altogether, generally helps rather than hinders healing. If a specific area needs to be avoided or treated more carefully for a period, this will be explained to you at the appointment.
Once your child has recovered, keeping up with routine check-ups and preventive care is the best way to protect their smile going forward. If you’re wondering about the cost of that ongoing care, for eligible children CDBS can help with routine check-ups, X-rays and preventive services — our guide to CDBS explains more.
What to watch for
Most children recover from routine dental treatment without any trouble. Occasionally, something doesn’t settle the way it should, and it’s better to check in with us than to wait and see. Please contact Tooth Town if you notice:
- Pain that is getting worse instead of settling
- Swelling that is increasing rather than reducing
- A temperature or fever
- Bleeding that doesn’t settle with firm, gentle pressure
- Anything that doesn’t seem to be improving the way you’d expect
You know your child best. If something feels wrong, it’s always okay to call us rather than wait.
Frequently asked questions
How long will the numbness last after my child’s appointment?
It varies from child to child and depends on the type of injection used. Your child’s clinician can give you a general idea on the day, but the safest approach is simply to watch for sensation returning before offering hot food or drinks.
Is it normal for my child to be a bit off their food afterwards?
A slightly reduced appetite on the day of treatment is common, particularly while the mouth still feels unusual. Soft, cool foods are often easiest. If your child isn’t eating or drinking at all, or seems unwell, please get in touch with us.
My child says it still hurts a little the next day — is that okay?
Mild, gradually improving discomfort a day or so after treatment isn’t unusual. If the discomfort is getting worse rather than better, or your child seems increasingly unsettled, please call us so we can check in.
Can my child go to school or day care the next day?
Many children return to their normal routine the following day, but this can depend on the specific treatment your child had. your clinician will let you know if anything different applies in your child’s case.
What if I can’t tell whether what I’m seeing is normal?
That’s completely understandable, and exactly the sort of thing to call us about. We would always rather you check in than worry at home wondering whether something needs attention.
Does this guide apply after a general anaesthesia (GA) procedure?
No. GA recovery involves separate, more detailed instructions specific to the hospital and procedure, which will be provided to you individually as part of your child’s GA pathway.
What to do next
If your child has had dental treatment recently and something doesn’t seem quite right, or you’re simply unsure whether what you’re seeing at home is expected, please don’t hesitate to call our Coorparoo practice. We would always rather talk it through with you than have you guessing. Contact Tooth Town and our team will help you work out the best next step for your child.
This guide is general information and doesn’t replace the specific aftercare instructions given by your child’s clinician following their individual treatment. If you have any concerns about your child’s recovery, please contact Tooth Town directly.