How Long is the Recovery Time From Dental Injury Treatment for Children?

Dental injuries can be common during childhood, but prompt treatment from a pediatric dentistry professional can help restore your child's smile. It is important to have chipped, cracked, broken, or knocked-out teeth evaluated by a dentist, even if the patient is a child and only their baby teeth are affected.

There are many types of dental work that can be used to repair or replace a damaged tooth so your child can regain a healthy smile. Some are quick and relatively painless while others can be invasive and upsetting for younger children. Parents should take the time to prepare themselves for the recovery process to help their children feel back to normal as soon as possible.

Recovery times for common dental procedures

Keep in mind that every child is different; some heal faster than others. Your dentist can give you a more precise timeline based on the extent of the work needed. These are the general expectations for some of the most common types of dental work in pediatric patients.

Fillings

Having a cavity filled during childhood is not a rarity. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 90% of Americans have had at least one cavity by the time they reach age 20. Fortunately, the process is not too difficult and dentists can help keep their pediatric dentistry patients more at ease with the use of nitrous oxide. Once the procedure is complete, your child may feel a little agitated and the site may be a little sore and sensitive, but oral pain should be minimal. They may prefer softer foods for the rest of the day but should feel back to normal by the next morning.

Dental crowns

Dental crowns require a little more work than fillings but the recovery timeline is similar. Pain should be minimal post-procedure, although sensitivity can last for a week or two. Extremely hard or sticky foods should be avoided completely for at least the first few days after having a crown placed, and limited in the future.

Lost teeth

Dealing with an extracted or knocked-out tooth is difficult for patients of all ages and requires a bit more care than other types of dental work. Bleeding is common and may persist for several hours but should continually improve and stop within 12 hours. Your child should rest and avoid too much activity for the first two to three days.

Do not let your child drink through a straw or spit for the first 48 hours; this can dislodge any clotting and lead to bleeding and discomfort. The area may be swollen and painful for a few days so follow your dentist's recommendations about pain medication. Cold compresses and warm salt water can also help. It will take between three and four weeks for the area to heal completely, but your child should be feeling back to normal within the first week.