Swollen Lips after Procedures

We put high priority on children’s comfort at Kidz Connextion in Phoenix. When children need to be numbed for a procedure, we’re efficient and offer nitrous oxide to relieve their anxiety. But we depend on our patients and their parents to cooperate in order to prevent complications. One potential issue that may come up otherwise is a swollen lip, so we want the families we serve to understand what causes it and what they should do if one develops.

 

The alveolar nerve is what supplies sensations to the chin and lower lip. We often numb it with an injected anesthetic when doing work such as fillings and extractions. Loss of sensation in the lower lip makes it feel rubbery, and children who are new to being anesthetized may bite down on it out of curiosity. But, being numb, they have difficulty judging how hard they are biting, and can easily exert great force. Within hours of being bitten, the ulcerated lip may begin swelling, becoming several times its usual size.

 

The swelling is usually only somewhat uncomfortable, but it may look frightening and interfere with eating and speaking. If it is red and the child has a fever, it may be infected, in which case it would require antibiotics. But if not, it will reduce within a week. Children should be reminded to avoid biting when they go home numb after a procedure, but they can also reduce swelling by applying ice packs for fifteen minute intervals. After forty-eight hours, they may switch to heat packs, as long as they continue alternating the pack on and off every fifteen minutes.

 

Kidz Connextion has three convenient locations in Phoenix, Arizona. To schedule an appointment at 2533 N 75th St, text 623-232-0749. For our office at 2046 N 24th St, text 480-666-5984. For our office at 524 E Baseline Rd, text 480-405-4714. Or, visit Kidz Connextion on our website.

Fillings

Dentists at Kidz Connextion have experience filling cavities for patients of all ages.  Fillings are a great way to preserve teeth that have experienced some decay or are chipped or cracked.  Getting a cavity filled is a standard and non-invasive procedure that is typically completed in a short appointment with local anesthetic.  The area is numbed before a dentist removes any decay from the affected tooth.  The tooth is then thoroughly cleaned and prepared for the filling material.

Amalgam fillings are made from a mixture of metals that bond together to create a hard, strong filling for a compromised tooth.  Amalgam fillings don’t blend in with natural teeth, but they are a durable option and some patients choose to use metal fillings on their back teeth.  Composite fillings are more aesthetically matched to the look  natural teeth.  These fillings are typically used on front teeth and surface cavities.  Once the material is placed, it is trimmed and polished to blend right into a patient’s natural smile. If you or anyone in your family is in need of a filling, please contact us.

Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix.  To find out more, visit our website at Kidzconnextion.com.

Pain around Fillings

Fillings prevent the bacteria that cause tooth decay from hiding in cavities, which means the child hopefully won’t continue to experience tooth aches after receiving treatment. However, the area around the filling is often sensitive for a few hours after its placement. This isn’t normally a cause for concern, but if the pain persists, a visit to Kidz Connextion Dental Care may be necessary.

A filling should not prevent a child from biting down completely. If it is doing so, or a patient has to put themselves in a great deal of pain to bite with force, the filling probably needs to be removed and replaced with one that is shaped to better fit the tooth. (This problem occurs more often with some materials which shrink after they’ve been placed.)

If a patient’s toothache continues days after the placement of the filling, it may be that the tooth pulp became infected from the decay. Our advanced imaging technology can determine whether this has happened. But even if there was nothing wrong with the placement of the filling or the pulp of the tooth, it is possible for the seal holding the filling in place to develop a crack. If that happens, bacteria could enter the crack and begin causing decay, and the tooth would need to be re-treated.

Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix. To find out more, visit our website at KidzConnextion.com.

 

Causes of Sensitive Teeth

As is the case with adults, there are many reasons why children suffer tooth sensitivity. At Kidz Connextion, we strive to help our patients get to the bottom of whatever is bothering them. Usually, the problem is a cavity, but there are some other reasons why a child might particularly be bothered by hot or cold.

People of all ages are advised to use soft-bristled toothbrushes. Brushing too hard or with too hard a brush can actually harm the gums, causing them to recede and the sensitive tooth roots to be exposed. It is also possible for fillings from previous cavities to come loose, which is painful and leaves teeth vulnerable to discomfort from cold. Teeth should also be examined in case they have developed cracks, as often happens in children with autism or ADHD who develop habits of grinding their teeth, in addition to being hypersensitive.

However, sensitivity does not always mean there is a major dental problem. It is normal for teeth that are newly erupted to take some time to get used to different sensations. Baby teeth also tend to be sensitive when they’re about to fall out naturally. Tooth sensitivity could also result from a sinus infection or allergy.

Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix. To find out more, visit our website at KidzConnextion.com.