CARE INSTRUCTIONS

POST OP INSTRUCTIONS

This page is designed to help answer some of the questions that come up after a dental procedure. Please call us immediately if your answers are not in these pages

EXTRACTIONS AND IMPLANTS

Post op instructions for extractions

Follow these instructions carefully after an extraction to ensure successful healing.
Immediately following an extraction it is important to apply pressure to the extraction site.
This stops the bleeding, allows for clot formation and initiates the healing process. Bite down firmly on the provided gauze pad for up to 60 mins, change out the gauze pad for a dry pad and repeat for another 60 mins do this until bleeding stops.
You cannot spit forcefully as this will dislodge the blood clot
You cannot drink through a straw as the pressure might dislodge the blood clot and cause rebound bleeding.
You cannot smoke or use tobacco for the next 72 hours.
You can eat soft foods like soups, teas, mashed potato, avoiding any seedy foods
You cannot rinse your mouth, brush or floss next to the extraction site for 24 hours
You can expect some swelling and discomfort up to 72 hours after an extraction
You can resume brushing afer 24 hours but gently clean around the site for about a week.
You can apply a warm towel to help reduce swelling and soreness
You can rinse out with 1 teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water two times a day for 1 week to help reduce swelling.
To help control discomfort take all pain medication before anesthetic has worn off or as recommended.

IMPLANTS

For the first 24 hours

No rinsing. No spitting, No sucking through a straw.

For the first WEEK

No alcohol, No hot foods ( intemperature), No spicy foods, No crunchy foods that can easily cause an impaction and therefore an infection.

ALL OTHER INSTRUCTIONS:

NO SMOKING

Do not pull your cheek to look at the surgical area because you will tear your stitches

Chew on the opposite side of the surgical area

Eat softer foods for the first 1-2 weeks such as:

Fish, pasta, soft chicken, soft chicken in pasta, mash potatoes, soups, oatmeal etc.

BRUSH THE SURGICAL AREA GENTLY AFTER 24-48 HRS

Brush everywhere else normally

Avoid Listerine as it will burn. You can use the prescribed Peridex rinse.

It is normal to have a couple of spots of blood on your pillow in the morning

If bleeding persists apply pressure with moist warm gauze.

If bleeding still persists, apply pressure for 15 min with a warm teabag directly on the surgical site.

There will be an onset of discomfort and swelling after 3-4 days. This is just your body healing itself do not be alarmed

If there is pronounced swelling in the area of your eyes or you cannot open your mouth all the way please contact the office IMMEDIATELY

FILLINGS

Post op instructions for Fillings

Your lips and tongue may be numb for several hours after filling treatments. Avoid any chewing and hot beverages until this numbness has completely worn off to prevent inadvertently biting or burning your tongue and your lips.

Please monitor your small kids until the numbness wears completely off.

It is normal to experience some tooth sensitivity after your appointment for several days.

Injection sites may also be sore. A mild pain medication (one tablet of Tylenol or Ibuprofen every 3-4 hours) should reduce any discomfort.

You may return to normal chewing with your composite fillings as soon as the anesthetic completely wears off, since they are fully set when you leave the office.

If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain or sensitivity to hot or cold please contact our office immediately.

CROWN AND BRIDGE

Post op instructions for crown and bridge

Crowns and bridges usually take more than one appointment to complete. In the first visit the teeth are prepared and molds of the mouth are taken. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while your custom restoration is being made. Your tongue, lips and roof of the mouth may be numb. Please refrain from eating and drinking hot beverages until the numbness is completely worn off.

To keep your temporaries in place, avoid eating sticky foods (gum), hard foods, and if possible, chew on the opposite side of your mouth. It is important to brush normally, but floss carefully and don't pull up on the floss as it may dislodge the temporary crown. If your temporary crown falls off, call our office immediately so we may re-cement it.

It is normal to experience some temperature and pressure sensitivity after each appointment. The sensitivity should subside a few weeks after the placement of the final restoration. Mild pain medications may also be used to alleviate any tenderness.

ROOT CANAL

Post op instructions for Root canal therapy

Root canal therapy often takes two or more appointments to complete depending on the severity of infection. At the start of treatment your dentist may isolate the tooth with a rubber dam to prevent salivary contamination of the canal system and protect you from the irrigants used during the procedure. A temporary filling or crown is placed to protect the tooth between appointments.

After each appointment when anesthetic has been used, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off.

Between appointments it is common for a small portion of your temporary filling to wear away or break off. You may even have a bad taste. If the entire filling falls out, or if a temporary crown comes off, call us so that it can be replaced.

It's normal to experience some discomfort for several days after a root canal appointment, especially when chewing. To control discomfort, take pain medication as recommended. To further reduce pain and swelling rinse three times a day with warm salt water.

If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them as prescribed, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone. Since the tooth is very fragile following treatment avoid eating sticky and hard foods. Avoid chewing on that side until the permanent crown is placed. The permanent crown will protect the tooth from breaking in future.
You may notice the tooth is slightly smaller than when you came in, this is deliberate as relieving all pressure from the tooth is necessary to allow healing to take place.

Once your custom crown is seated, the anatomy is restored back to the tooth.

WHITENING

In office ( Chairside) vs Take Home Whitening

In office whitening is a bleaching treatment where the whitening gel is applied and light cured over several 10 minute sessions, any remaining gel is taken home by patient for touch up applications.

Take home whitening is slightly different, your gel and tray are provided for you and at your convenience you load your tray with bleaching gel enough to only cover your teeth and not your gums
Position tray over teeth, wipe excess off gums.
Daytime use of 30 mins twice daily , allow minimum of 1 hour between each wear.
Night time wear 8-10 hours, allow a minimum of 24 hours between each night time wear.
Rinse mouth with water twice to remove gel from mouth. Do not swallow the water.

If irritation of gums or mouth occurs, discontinue use and consult a dentist.
Products containing peroxides are not recommended for use in children under 12 years.
Use for periods longer than 14 days is to be only under the supervision of a dentist.
Avoid swallowing the cosmetic or part thereof, avoid contact of the product with the eye.

Warning:
Do not use bleaching product while pregnant or lactating. Keep product away from children. Do note freeze or expose syringes to heat and or sunlight. Do not use tobacco products or eat while wearing bleaching trays.