Tonsillitis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, Surgery, and More

Tonsillitis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

(continued)

What to Expect After Surgery

Tonsillectomy is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia and typically lasting between 30 minutes and 45 minutes. It is most commonly performed in children.

Most children go home about four hours after surgery and require a week to 10 days to recover from it. Almost all children will have throat pain, ranging from mild to severe, after surgery. Some may experience pain in the ears, jaw, and neck. Your child's doctor will prescribe or recommend medication to ease the pain.

During the recovery period, it's important for your child to get enough rest. It's also important to make sure your child gets plenty of fluids; however, you should avoid giving your child milk products for the first 24 hours after surgery. Although throat pain may make your child reluctant to eat, the sooner your child eats, the sooner he or she will recover.

For several days after surgery, your child may experience a low-grade fever and small specks of blood from the nose or saliva. If the fever is greater than 102 degrees Fahrenheit or if you see bright red blood, call your child's doctor right away. Prompt medical attention may be necessary.

Answer:

Never
(0)

Good
(1-3)

Better
(4-6)

Best
(7)

You are currently

Only 18.5% of Americans never floss. You are missing out on a simple way to make a big difference in the health of your mouth. Regardless of how well you brush, plaque still forms between your teeth and along your gums. Floss removes food trapped between the teeth and removes the film of bacteria that forms there before it turns to plaque, which can cause inflamed gums (gingivitis), cavities, and tooth loss. Try flossing just one tooth to get started.

You are one of 31% of Americans who don't floss daily. You are missing out on a simple way to make a big difference in the health of your mouth. Regardless of how well you brush, plaque still forms between your teeth and along your gums. Toothbrush bristles alone cannot clean effectively between these tight spaces. Flossing removes up to 80% of the film that hardens to plaque, which can cause inflamed gums (gingivitis), cavities, and tooth loss. Aim for 3 more days!

You are one of 31% of Americans who don't floss daily, but you're well on your way to making a positive impact on your teeth and gums. Regardless of how well you brush, plaque still forms between your teeth and along your gums. Toothbrush bristles alone cannot clean effectively between these tight spaces. Flossing removes up to 80% of the film that hardens to plaque, which can cause inflamed gums (gingivitis), cavities, and tooth loss. Aim for all 7 days!

Only 50.5% of Americans floss daily, and good for you that you are one of them! Regardless of how well you brush, plaque still forms between your teeth and along your gums. Toothbrush bristles alone cannot clean effectively between these tight spaces. Flossing removes up to 80% of the film that hardens to plaque, which can cause inflamed gums (gingivitis), cavities, and tooth loss. Congratulations on your good oral health habit!

SOURCES:

American Dental Association, Healthy People 2010

Today in Oral Care