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Post-Operation Instructions after Tooth Extraction

DO NOT SPIT OR RINSE MOUTH TODAY. Do not spit, swallow saliva for today. Tomorrow rinse mouth gently every 3 to 4 hours (especially after meals) using one-quarter teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water. Continue rinses for several days.
BLEEDING: Following extractions some bleeding occurs, place gauze pads over the bleeding area and bite down firmly for one hour. After the blood clot forms, it is important not to disturb or dislodge the clot, especially for the first 24 hours.
DO NOT smoke, suck through a straw, rinse vigorously, or brush near the extraction site for one to two days. But keep the operated site clean.
SWELLING: Ice bag or chopped ice wrapped in a towel should be applied to the operated area (from outside) one half hour.
PAIN: For mild to average pain use medication that has been prescribed by the doctor. Please take only as directed, and do not drive or operate machinery if taking narcotic medications. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone.
Avoid any biting on your numb cheek or lips or tongue until numbness has completely worn off
FOOD: Soft and cold diet is advisable during the first 24 hours. Drink lots of fluids, and eat soft food on the opposite side from the extraction site. Avoid alcoholic beverages and hot or spicy foods. You may resume normal eating as soon as you are comfortable.
BONY EDGES: Small sharp bone fragments may work up through the gums during healing. These are not roots; if annoying return to this office for their simple removal
Reduce exercise for the first 24 hours. This will keep blood pressure lower, which will reduce bleeding from the extraction site.
The proper care following oral surgical procedures will hasten recovery and prevent complications.
If sutures (stitches) were placed, please be sure to keep your follow-up appointment for removal after 1 week.
If you have heavy uncontrolled bleeding, severe pain, continued increase in swelling after two to three days, or a reaction to the medications prescribed contact us immediately.

Post-Operation Instructions after Root Canal Treatment

Avoid any biting on your numb cheek or lips or tongue until numbness has completely worn off.
The tooth and surrounding tissues may be tender for several days as a result of manipulation during treatment, and due to the previous condition of your tooth. This is a perfectly normal and expected reaction.
For a few days you may experience mild to moderate discomfort when eating. Avoid chewing on the tooth as much as possible.
If a temporary filling was placed to seal the tooth, avoid flossing in the area. It is not uncommon for a small portion of the filling to wear down or chip.
It is important to continue to brush normally.
It is normal to experience some discomfort for several days after a root canal appointment, especially when chewing. To control discomfort, take pain medications as directed.
Warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water) may aid in relieving discomfort.
If swelling occurs, place an ice pack on the affected area. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection and swelling are gone.
To protect the tooth and keep temporary in place, avoid eating sticky foods (especially chewing gum), hard foods, and if possible chew only on the opposite side of the mouth. A permanent filling and crown must be placed to protect the root canal tooth from fracture or decay. Please be sure to keep all scheduled follow-up appointments for these procedures.

Instructions for Crowns and Bridges

When anesthesia 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. It is easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while numb.
The gum tissue around the prepared teeth may be sore for several days. You may rinse your mouth with warm salt water (put a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, rinse and spit) to reduce pain and swelling. There are times when a mouthwash may be dispensed to assist with gum tissue healing. It is important to use as directed.
Crowns and bridges usually take two to three appointments to complete. At the first visit, the teeth are prepared and a temporary crown or bridge can be placed when indicated.
With your temporary crown and with your permanent crown, you may experience some discomfort due to irritation of the area during the treatment procedures. You may also experience sensitivity to cold or pressures.
Your tooth may feel sensitive to temperature, sweets, or biting. This is normal and should subside in a few days.
Do not eat anything sticky, hard or chewy as this may pull the temporary off or break it. Be careful brushing and avoid flossing adjacent to the temporary as this may cause it to become dislodged. Once the permanent restoration is placed, you may brush and floss normally.
The temporary or the tooth prepared may feel rough to your tongue and may not be the same shape or color as the permanent restoration. You can feel confident that your new restoration is being made using state-of-the-art materials by the finest laboratories and technicians.
After your new permanent crown is in place you may feel discomfort or difficulty in closing teeth properly. It may require some bite adjustment after few days.
After your new permanent crown is in place you may feel discomfort or difficulty in closing teeth properly. It may require some bite adjustment after few days.
Care for your new crown with proper brushing twice a day and flossing. It is especially important to keep the edge of the crown clean at the gum line. If using a bridge use Superfloss as instructed. Rinse after meals.
Do not eat anything for the next one hour after cementation of the crown or bridge and eat soft food on the other side for the rest of the day.
Avoid eating sticky and hard food like stick jaws, chewing gums nuts, end of toast etc with the teeth having the crown or bridge.
In case crown or bridge comes off, keep it carefully and inform us immediately. The crown or bridge will be cleaned, sterilized and cemented back.

Post-Operation Instructions after Composite (white) Fillings

Remember that it will take time to adjust to the feel of your new bite.
When the bite is altered or the position of the teeth is changed it takes several days for the "brain" to recognize the new position of your teeth or their thickness as normal.
If you continue to detect any high spots or problems with your bite, call us so we can schedule an adjustment appointment.

Post-Operation Instructions for New Partial or Complete Dentures

New dentures always require a period of adjustment. First-time denture patients may require several weeks to get used to their new appliance.
For the first few days, you should wear your dentures for as long as possible, and chew soft food in small bites. Remember, dentures do not have the same chewing efficiency as natural teeth and may affect your taste of food. If your bite feels uneven after several days, we can adjust the way your teeth contact at follow-up visits.
The denture is constructed so that it rest on top of your gum tissue and all of the chewing forces must be born by your gum tissue. As a consequence, you may experience some soreness or discomfort under the denture base. This may be alleviated by adjustments and tissue treatment. In some cases it takes several appointments before the denture can be made comfortable.
It is not unusual for sore spots to develop in isolated areas of the mouth. These areas can be relieved easily at follow-up appointments. If a severe sore spot develops which prevents wearing the denture and an appointment is made for adjustment, please wear the denture for 24 hours prior to the appointment. This will greatly aid in locating the exact location of the area, and make adjustments significantly easier and more predictable.
Proper cleaning of your denture is important to prevent stains and bacteria from accumulating on your appliance. Since cleaning procedures differ for various types of appliances, please follow the directions given to you at your insertion appointment.
Do not wear your complete or partial dentures at night. It is important to allow your gum tissues and jaw bones to rest in order to prevent further tissue irritation, infection, and future bone shrinkage.

Patient instructions after Periodontal treatment

After your periodontal surgery, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours. Avoid any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off. Don't eat anything for two hours following surgery.
Do not take medication on an empty stomach or nausea may result. Apply an ice pack (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) for six hours following surgery to decrease pain and swelling.
Some slight bleeding is normal for a day or so following surgery. If bleeding persists, apply firm pressure with a moist gauze pad or bite on a tea bag for twenty minutes. Elevate your head with pillows.
It is advisable to eat only soft food for the first 48 hours, and avoid any hard or spicy foods, which could cause infection. Restrict your diet to soft foods such as yogurt, ice cream, cottage cheese, and soups until you can chew comfortably.
On the morning after the treatment, rinse mouth with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt to glass of warm water). Repeat this several times daily.
Brush teeth gently to help remove plaque that has started to form. We suggest using fluoridated, tartar control toothpaste.
Don't use floss or other home tooth care products, such as toothpicks or electric brush, until after the day of your treatment. Begin very gently at first.
Because it is very common for periodontal disease to reoccur, patients should have regular checkups to monitor progress and prevent recurrence.

Post-Op Instructions after Scaling/ Root Planning

Following scaling and root planning, you can expect to notice less redness, less bleeding, and less swelling of your gum tissues.
Your teeth may feel smoother, and your mouth will taste and feel better. Your gum health must be maintained with proper homecare, as instructed, and regular professional care.
It is not unusual for the teeth to be more sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, and/or sweets. This occurs as the gum tissue heals and shrinks in size.
Brushing two to three times daily with sensitivity toothpaste or using fluoride rinses may help alleviate this over time.
If sensitivity continues or is severe, professional application of a desensitizing agent may be required.
For a few days, a soft diet is recommended, chewing on the opposite side.
Consistent and thorough daily oral hygiene is essential to the proper healing of your gum tissues. Brushing, flossing and rinsing with recommended products are critical. Use prescribed mouthwash.

Patient instructions during orthodontic treatment

Your active role in orthodontic treatment helps ensure long-term success.
While you're in braces, it's important to practice good oral hygiene and avoid breakages.
Keeping your orthodontic appointments is crucial for the success of your treatment.
To get the most out of your treatment, be sure to follow your orthodontist's instructions during and after treatment.

How do I take care of my braces?

Extra time is needed with toothbrushing (ORTHODONTIC BRUSH recommended) to make sure that all areas around the braces have been cleaned properly. Specialized brush tips are available to help get in between the braces and under the wires. Brushing twice daily is mandatory.
Over-the-counter mouth rinses (PHOS FLUR recommended) can be used to help reduce the level of bacteria around the teeth.
You may need Dentogel/ Dologel CT on ulcers that might form in the mucosa adjacent to your braces.

Specialized brush tips help get in between braces and under wires

BRUSHING

Selecting the right toothbrush: Toothbrushes vary in size and design, as well as in length, hardness and arrangement of bristles. The type of brush is purely a matter of individual preference but the following points must be considered: It should be able to reach and efficiently clean most areas of the mouth.
Another point of controversy is the hardness of the bristles. Use of hard-bristle brush is linked enamel wear. But the fact is that it is the manner in which the brush is used and the abrasiveness of the toothpaste that affects enamel abrasion to a greater degree than the bristle hardness itself.
Overzealous brushing can lead to gum recession, painful ulceration of gingiva and triangular-shaped defects in the neck area of the tooth.
To maintain the cleaning effectiveness, toothbrushes must be changed as soon as bristles begin to fray. Generally with regular use, brushes wear in about 3 months time. If all the bristles are flattened after 1 week of use, probably the brushing is too aggressive; if the bristles are straight even after 6 months of use then either the brush is not regularly used or brushing is very gentle.
The recommended brush for most people should have a short-head with round-ended, soft to medium nylon bristles arranged in 3 to 4 rows of tufts are recommended.

Toothbrushing technique

Place the bristles at the gum margin, establishing an angle of 45 degrees to the long axis of the teeth. Exert gentle vibratory pressure, using short back-and-forth motions without dislodging the tip of the bristles. Complete approximately 20 strokes in the same position.

Continue around the arch, brushing around three teeth at a time, and then use the same method to brush the inner surfaces of the teeth. To help reach the inner surfaces of the front teeth, insert the brush vertically.

Press the bristles firmly into the chewing surfaces of the teeth and brush with about 20 back-and-forth strokes.

FLOSSING:

Flossing removes plaque from in between tooth surfaces. Again the use of a particular brand is based on ease of use and personal preference.

Technique:

Start with apiece of floss long enough to grasp securely; 12 to 18 inches is usually sufficient. Stretch the floss tightly between the thumb and fore-fingers.

Pass the floss gently through each contact area of the tooth with a firm back-and-forth motion

Once the floss is below the contact area between the teeth, wrap the floss around the proximal surface of one tooth, and slip it under the gum margin. Move the floss firmly along the tooth up to the contact area and gently down into the gum margin again, repeating this up and down stroke several times.

Mouth Rinsing

The use of tooth brushing and dental floss will loosen many particles of food and tooth plaque bacteria. These can be removed by vigorous rinsing with water. Repeated rinsing also results in a rapid lowering of sugar level in saliva. It is therefore recommended, that following ingestion of sugar rich snacks, one should rinse one's mouths vigorously two or three times with as much water as can be adequately held in the mouth. It is especially important to do this if it is impractical to brush the teeth at such a time.