Instruction

After-treatment Home Care Instructions

AFTER EXTRACTIONS

• Place cold towels or an ice bag to your face for the first 6 – 8 hours. Apply for 15 minutes, and then remove for 15 minutes.
• Do not rinse mouth until the following day.
• On the morning following surgery, rinse mouth with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt to a glass of warm water).Repeat this several times daily.
• Keep fingers and tongue away from socket.
• BLEEDING- It is normal for saliva to be slightly streaked with blood for 1-2 days. If abnormal bleeding occurs, place moist gauze over extraction site and bite down for 30-45 minutes.
• Following dental surgery, it is normal to experience some discomfort. If medication has been prescribed, take as instructed.
• SWELLING & STIFFNESS – It is normal and should not cause alarm. Apply cold towels or ice bag for 15 minutes of each hour as needed.
• DIET- A liquid or soft diet is advisable during the first 24 hours. Drink lots of fluids.
• Return to the office if undue symptoms develop.
• Follow the above home care instructions carefully and call /contact us if you have any questions / concerns.

AFTER CROWN OR BRIDGE TREATMENT

• After your first appointment for crown or bridge treatment, a temporary crown is usually placed on the tooth or teeth affected. The temporary crown protects while the custom crown is being produced. Temporary cement is used so that the crown can be easily removed at your next appointment.
• If your temporary crown comes off before your next appointment, place the temporary back on your tooth and call our office.
• 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 notice sensitivity to cold or pressure.
• Your new permanent crown will be shaped and shaded especially to your teeth in color and fit. The temporary crown is made to serve you temporarily, so its color and fit are not custom-matched to your teeth.
• After your new permanent crown is in place, you may need a few days to adjust to it. If you feel the bite is not correctly balanced, please call for an appointment and we can adjust it.
• Care for your new crown with proper brushing and flossing. It is especially important to keep the edge of the crown clean at the gum line.

AFTER PERIODONTAL TREATMENT

• For pain or discomfort you may take over-the-counter pain medication.
• It is advisable to eat only soft food for the first 24 hours, and avoid any hard or spicy foods which could cause irritation.
• Drink plenty of water during the 24 hours-at least 8 glasses are recommended.
• Place cold towels or an ice bag to the outside of your face in the treated area. Apply for 15 minutes, and then remove for 15 minutes during the first 4-6 hours.
• On the morning after the treatment, rinse mouth with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt to a 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 brushes, until the day after your treatment. Begin very gently at first.
• Because it is very common for periodontal disease to recur, patients should have regular checkups to monitor progress and prevent recurrence.

AFTER ROOT CANAL THERAPY

Following the procedures below, will make you more comfortable and prevent many possible complications.

• Due to the fact that local anesthetic was used, be careful not to bite or chew lip, cheek, or tongue while they are numb. Avoid chewing for at least 2 hours after appointment.
CARE OF YOUR MOUTH
• Do not chew or bite on the treated tooth until it is restored by your dentist.
• Rinse your mouth 1-2 times a day with warm salt water (1 teaspoon salt to 8oz water).This promotes healing and acts as an antibacterial rinse.
• Make sure to brush and floss your teeth as you normally would do.

* If the opening in your tooth was restored with a temporary filling material, it is not unusual for a thin layer to wear off in- between appointments. However, if you think the entire filling has come out, contact our office.

DISCOMFORT

• To alleviate the discomfort, you can use over-the –counter pain medication. Normally, mild pain relievers like Ibuprofen or Tylenol will control any post operative discomfort.

EATING

• Do not drink hot liquids or eat hot spicy food after procedure. Avoid hard, gritty foods such as peanuts, popcorn, tacos, crusty bread or chips. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
• Eat a soft healthy diet. Consider foods such as yogurt, soft cooked eggs, soups, etc.

SWELLING

• Swelling or jaw stiffness occur very rarely, however if it does, place warm moist towels to the face in the area of stiffness. Apply for 20 minutes.

SMOKING

• Do not smoke following treatment. Refrain from smoking for 24 hours or longer.

If any of the following signs appear, make sure to contact our office right away:

1. Visible swelling inside or outside of your mouth
2. Allergic reaction to medication such as, rash, hives or itching (nausea is NOT an allergic reaction)
3. Return to original symptoms
4. Significant pain
5. Bite feels uneven