Homecare - Temporary Bridges
Now that we've placed your temporary bridge, it's important
to follow these recommendations to ensure its success of your
final restoration:
Chewing and eating
If we used anesthetic during the procedure, avoid chewing
until the numbness has completely worn off.
Avoid chewing for at least one half-hour to allow the temporary
cement to set.
To keep your temporary in place, avoid eating hard or sticky
foods, especially chewing gum. If possible, chew only on the
opposite side of your mouth.
Brushing and flossing
Brush normally, but floss very carefully. We may recommend
special floss, brushes, or other cleaning aids to keep the
area free of bacteria.
If your teeth are sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure, use
desensitizing toothpaste. If sensitivity persists beyond a
few days, call us.
Medication and discomfort
Take antibiotics or other medications only as directed.
To reduce any discomfort or swelling, rinse your mouth three
times a day with warm salt water. Use one teaspoon of salt
in one cup of warm water. It's normal for your gums to be
sore for several days.
When to call us
Call us if your temporary bridge comes off. Save the temporary,
so we can re-cement it. It's very important for the proper
fit of your final bridge that your temporary stay in place.
Call our office if your bite feels uneven, you have persistent
sensitivity or discomfort, or if you have any questions or
concerns.
Back to top
Homecare - Permanent Bridges
Now that we've placed your permanent bridge, it's important
to follow these recommendations to ensure its success:
Chewing and eating
If we used anesthetic during the procedure, avoid chewing
until the numbness has completely worn off.
Brushing and flossing
To protect your bridge, carefully follow our instructions
for keeping the areas around and under the bridge free of
bacteria. We may recommend special floss, brushes, or other
cleaning aids.
If your teeth are sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure, use
desensitizing toothpaste. If sensitivity persists beyond a
few days, call us.
Medication and discomfort
Take antibiotics or other medications only as directed.
To reduce any discomfort or swelling, rinse your mouth three
times a day with warm salt water. Use one teaspoon of salt
in one cup of warm water. It's normal for your gums to be
sore for several days.
When to call us
Call our office if your bite feels uneven, you have persistent
sensitivity or discomfort, or if you have any questions or
concerns.
Back to top
Homecare - Temporary Crowns
Now that we've placed your temporary crown, it's important
to follow these recommendations to ensure its success of your
final restoration:
Chewing and eating
If we used anesthetic during the procedure, avoid chewing
until the numbness has completely worn off.
Avoid chewing for at least one half-hour to allow the temporary
cement to set.
To keep your temporary in place, avoid eating hard or sticky
foods, especially chewing gum. If possible, chew only on the
opposite side of your mouth.
Brushing and flossing
Brush normally, but floss very carefully. Remove floss from
the side to prevent removal of the temporary crown.
If your teeth are sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure, use
desensitizing toothpaste. If sensitivity persists beyond a
few days, call us.
Medication and discomfort
Take antibiotics or other medications only as directed.
To reduce any discomfort or swelling, rinse your mouth three
times a day with warm salt water. Use one teaspoon of salt
in one cup of warm water. It's normal for your gums to be
sore for several days.
When to call us
Call us if your temporary crown comes off. Save the temporary,
so we can re-cement it. It's very important for the proper
fit of your final bridge that your temporary stay in place.
Call our office if your bite feels uneven, you have persistent
sensitivity or discomfort, or if you have any questions or
concerns.
Back to top
Homecare - Permanent Crowns
Now that we've placed your permanent crown, it's important
to follow these recommendations to ensure its success:
Chewing and eating
If we used anesthetic during the procedure, avoid chewing
until the numbness has completely worn off.
Brushing and flossing
Brush and floss normally, but if your teeth are sensitive
to hot, cold, or pressure, you can use a desensitizing toothpaste.
If sensitivity persists beyond a few days, call us.
Medication and discomfort
Take antibiotics or other medications only as directed.
To reduce any discomfort or swelling, rinse your mouth three
times a day with warm salt water. Use one teaspoon of salt
in one cup of warm water. It's normal for your gums to be
sore for several days.
When to call us
Call our office if your bite feels uneven, you have persistent
sensitivity or discomfort, or if you have any questions or
concerns.
Back to top
Homecare - Temporary Onlays
Now that we've placed your temporary onlay, it's important
to follow these recommendations to ensure its success of your
final restoration:
Chewing and eating
If we used anesthetic during the procedure, avoid chewing
until the numbness has completely worn off.
Avoid chewing for at least one half-hour to allow the temporary
cement to set.
To keep your temporary in place, avoid eating hard or sticky
foods, especially chewing gum. If possible, chew only on the
opposite side of your mouth.
Brushing and flossing
If your teeth are sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure, use
desensitizing toothpaste. If sensitivity persists beyond a
few days, call us.
Medication and discomfort
Take antibiotics or other medications only as directed.
To reduce any discomfort or swelling, rinse your mouth three
times a day with warm salt water. Use one teaspoon of salt
in one cup of warm water. It's normal for your gums to be
sore for several days.
When to call us
It's common and not a problem for a small portion for a small
portion of your temporary onlay to wear away or break off.
Call us, though, if most or all of your temporary comes off.
Save the temporary, so we can re-cement it. It's very important
for the proper fit of your final bridge that your temporary
stay in place.
Call our office if your bite feels uneven, you have persistent
sensitivity or discomfort, or if you have any questions or
concerns.
Back to top
Homecare - Permanent Onlays
Now that we've placed your permanent onlay, it's important
to follow these recommendations to ensure its success:
Chewing and eating
If we used anesthetic during the procedure, avoid chewing
until the numbness has completely worn off.
To protect your onlay, avoid chewing ice and other hard
objects.
Brushing and flossing
Brush and floss normally, but if your teeth are sensitive
to hot, cold, or pressure, you can use a desensitizing toothpaste.
If sensitivity persists beyond a few days, call us.
Medication and discomfort
Take antibiotics or other medications only as directed.
To reduce any discomfort or swelling, rinse your mouth three
times a day with warm salt water. Use one teaspoon of salt
in one cup of warm water. It's normal for your gums to be
sore for several days.
When to call us
Call our office if your bite feels uneven, you have persistent
sensitivity or discomfort, or if you have any questions or
concerns.
Back to top
Homecare - Esthetic
Congratulations on your new smile! Here are some steps you
can take to make that adjustment comfortable for you, and
to ensure the success of your new smile.
Chewing, eating, and talking
To protect restorations, avoid chewing on sticky candies and
hard substances like popcorn hulls, peanut brittle, fingernails,
pencils, or ice.
It is normal for your speech to be affected slightly for
the first few days. You will quickly adapt to the new "feel"
in your mouth, and be speaking normally.
Your brain might respond to the new size and shape of your
teeth by increasing salivary flow. This should subside to
normal flow within a week.
Brushing and Flossing
Brush and floss twice a day to remove plaque. This is critical
for the long-term success of your new restorations.
Brush or rinse after consuming red wine, cola, berries, coffee,
and tea because they can stain your new restorations and your
teeth.
Medication and discomfort
To reduce discomfort or swelling, rinse three times a day
with warm salt water. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in one
cup of warm water, gently swish, and then spit carefully.
You can also use a mild, over-the-counter pain medication.
It's normal for your teeth to be a bit sensitive to heat,
cold, and pressure. That's because we removed some tooth structure,
and then placed new materials on your teeth. The sensitivity
should subside after several days.
About Tobacco
Avoid tobacco products, whether smoked or chewed. They will
quickly stain your teeth an unattractive yellowish-brown.
When to call us
It is normal for your new dental work to make your bite feel
different for a few days. It takes several days for your brain
to recognize and adjust to the new conditions in your mouth.
However, if you detect any high spots or problems with your
bite, call us to schedule an adjustment.
Call us if sensitivity persists beyond a few days.
If you participate in sports, ask us about creating custom
mouthguard to protect your new smile.
Back to top
Homecare - Extractions
Now that you've had a tooth extracted, the initial healing
period usually takes one to two weeks, and you'll likely experience
some swelling for the first 48 hours. The space left by the
tooth will feel a bit strange to you at first, but eventually,
new bone and gum tissue will grow into the gap left by the
extraction. Here are some instructions to ensure healing.
General Care
Keep your head elevated with pillows to control bleeding.
We will give you a supply of gauze sponges to
place over the bleeding area. Change the pad as necessary,
and use them until the bleeding stops
completely. If bleeding persists, you can also bite gently
but firmly on a moist tea bag for 20 minutes. Be
sure to call our office if bleeding continues or increases.
A blood clot will form on the extraction site, and this clot
is vital to the healing process.To keep the clot
intact, avoid touching the extraction site with your tongue
or fingers, do not drink liquids through a
straw, and do not spit vigorously.
Avoid blowing your nose or sneezing violently. This can dislodge
the blood clot and impair healing. If
you have an upper respiratory infection or suffer from allergies,
be sure to have the appropriate sinus
medication on hand.
Relax as much as possible and avoid all strenuous activities
for the first 24 hours following surgery.
Chewing and eating
Avoid chewing or eating until the numbness has completely
worn off.
Once the numbness has worn off, you should eat, as nourishment
is important to the healing process.
Limit your diet to soft foods like yogurt, soft soups, ice
cream, or soft-cooked eggs for the first 48 hours.
Chew on the other side of your mouth to keep food particles
from getting into the tooth’s socket.
Drink at least eight large glasses of water or fruit juice
each day.
Do not drink liquids through a straw. The sucking action can
dislodge the blood clot and impair healing.
Brushing and flossing
Brush and floss the other areas of your mouth as you would
normally. Do not brush the extraction site in
order to avoid dislodging the blood clot.
Medication and discomfort
Do not rinse your mouth the day of the surgery, but 24 hours
following the procedure, you can rinse gently with mouthwash
or a warm salt water solution (dissolve one teaspoon of salt
with one cup of warm water). Gently swish the solution around
the affected area, and spit carefully. You should do this
two or three times each day for the week following the extraction.
If antibiotics were prescribed, continue to take them for
the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs
of infection are gone.
To reduce discomfort, use an over-the-counter pain reliever,
such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. This is usually sufficient,
but we can also give you a prescription for a stronger pain
reliever if needed. To avoid nausea, do not take pain medication
on an empty stomach.
To decrease pain and swelling, apply an ice pack - 20 minutes
on, 20 minutes off - for the first six hours followinf the
extraction.
About tobacco
Avoid using tobacco becauseit will significantly affect the
healing process.
When to call us
Call us if pain or bleeding persists, or if you have any
questions.
Back to top
Homecare - Fillings
To keep your mouth comfortable after having a filling, and
to ensure that your filling sets properly, follow the tips
below.
Chewing and eating
If we used anesthetic, avoid chewing or eating until the numbness
has completely worn off.
Don't chew hard foods - and don't chew directly on new silver
fillings - for 24 hours following the appointment. If possible,
chew only on the opposite side of your mouth. You may chew
right away on white fillings because they set completely on
the day of the appointment.
Brushing and flossing
Brush and floss your teeth normally. This is vital for ensuring
the success of your new restorations.
Medication and discomfort
To reduce discomfort and swelling, rinse three times a day
with warm salt water. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in one
cup of warm water. It's normal for your gums to be sore for
several days.
It's normal to experience some hot, cold, and pressure sensitivity
after your appointment.
When to call us
Call us if your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent
pain or sensitivity, or if you have any other concerns.
Back to top
Homecare - After Implant Surgery
After implants have been placed, it's important to follow
these recommendations during the healing period.
General care
To control minor bleeding after surgery, apply moderate pressure
with gauze pads or clean, moist tea bag wrapped in a gauze
pad.
If you usually wear removable appliances, such as dentures
or partial dentures, we may advise you not to wear them while
the implant sites heal.
Chewing and eating
Avoid chewing until the numbness from the anesthetic has completely
worn off. If we placed any temporary restorations, avoid chewing
for at least one half-hour to allow the temporary cement to
set.
Limit your diet to soft foods like yogurt, cottage cheese,
soups, soft-cooked eggs, and ground meat for the first several
months after surgery. Do not chew hard, crusty foods. Also
avoid very hot or spicy foods until your gums are healed.
Brushing and flossing
Brush and floss very gently. We may recommend that you clean
implant sites carefully with gauze or a cotton swab. If we
have recommended a mouth rinse, use it as directed.
Medication and discomfort
Beginning 24 hours after surgery, rinse your mouth three times
a day for two weeks with warm salt water. Use one teaspoon
of salt in one cup of warm water. Swish very gently so you
don't disturb the implant sites.
Take antibiotics or other medications only as directed
To reduce discomfort or swelling for several days after surgery,
use ice packs. It's normal for your gums to be sore and swollen
for a several days.
About tobacco
Do not smoke or use any tobacco products until healing is
complete. Using tobacco increases the risk that your body
will reject the implants.
When to call us
Call us if the tops of the implants gradually show through
the gum. This is usually not a problem, but we should check
in.
Call our office if you have persistent numbness, bleeding,
or discomfort or if you have any other concerns.
Back to top
Homecare - After Implant Restorations
After final restorations have been placed, it's important
to follow these recommendations to ensure long-term success:
Chewing and eating
If we used anesthetic during the procedure, avoid chewing
or eating until the numbness has completely worn off.
Avoid hard chewing and grinding because these habits can
damage implants and their restorations.If this is a continuing
problem, we may need to adjust the restorations or have you
wear a nightguard.
Brushing and flossing
Brush and floss around the implants thoroughly but gently.
We may also recommend special floss., brushes, mouth rinses,
or other cleaning aids to keep the area free of bacteria.
Medication and discomfort
Take antibiotics or other medications only as directed
To reduce discomfort and swelling, rinse your mouth three
times a day with warm salt water. Use one teaspoon of salt
in one cup of warm water. It's normal for your gums to be
sore and swollen for a few days.
It's normal to experience some hot, cold, and pressure sensitivity
after your appointment.
About tobacco
Avoid tobacco products. Ideally, you should quit altogether
because using tobacco increases the risk that your body will
reject the implants.
When to call us
Call us if your restorations feel loose so that we can tighten
them.
Call our office if you have persistent discomfort or if you
have any other problems or concerns.
Back to top
Homecare - Perio Surgery
General care
Keep your fingers and tongue away from the parts of your gums
that were affected by the surgery
Relax as much as possible and avoid all strenuous activities
for the first 24 hours following surgery.
Keep your head elevated with pillows to control bleeding.
We will give you a supply of gauze sponges to place over the
bleeding area; change them as necessary, and use them until
the bleeding stops completely. You can also bite gently but
firmly on a moist tea bag for 20 minutes if bleeding continues.
Chewing and eating
Avoid any chewing for two hours following surgery, or until
the numbness has worn off completely.
Once the numbness has worn off, you should eat. Nourishment
is important to the healing process. Limit your diet to soft
foods like yogurt, soft soups, ice-cream, or soft-cooked eggs
for the first 48 hours.
Drink at least eight large glasses of water or fruit juice
each day as you would normally.
Brushing and flossing
Continue cleaning the other areas of your mouth, flossing
daily and brushing at least twice a day as you would normally.
Medication and discomfort
To reduce discomfort or swelling, apply an ice pack - 20 minutes
on, 20 minutes off - for six hours following surgery.
Do not rinse your mouth the day of the surgery. However,
24 hours after surgery, rinses gently with mouthwash or a
warm salt water solution three times a day. Dissolve one teaspoon
of salt in one cup of warm water, and gently swish, then carefully
spit.
If antibiotics were prescribed, continue to take them for
the infected length of time, even if all symptoms and signs
of infection are gone.
To avoid nausea, don't take pain medications on an empty stomach.
About tobacco
Do not smoke or use any tobacco products until healing is
complete. Using tobacco increases the risk that your body
will reject the implants.
When to call us
Call our office if discomfort or bleeding persists or increases,
or if you have any concerns.
Back to top
Homecare - Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy often takes two or more appointments
to complete. A temporary filling or crown is placed to protect
the toothe between appointments, and then the last step is
the placement of a crown on the tooth to cover ans protect
it.
Here are some instructions to help you protect your tooth
and ease any discomfort.
Chewing and eating
If we used anesthetic during the procedure, avoid chewing
until the numbness has completely worn off.
While the temporary filling or crown is in place, avoid eating
sticky or hard foods (especially gum), and if possible, chew
only on the opposite side of your mouth.
Brushing and flossing
It's important to continue to brush normally, but floss very
carefully. To prevent removal of a temporary crown, remove
the floss by pulling it through the teeth, not down or up
from between the space between the teeth.
Medication and discomfort
To control discomfort, take pain medication as recommended.
It's normal to experience some discomfort for several days
after a root canal appointment, especially when chewing.
To further reduce pain and swelling, rinse three times a
day with warm salt water. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in
one cup of warm water.
If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for
the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs
of infection are gone.
When to call us
It's common, and not a problem, for a small portion of temorary
filling to wear away or break off between appointments. However,
if the entire filling falls out, or if a temporary crown comes
off, call us so that we can replace it.
After a permanent crown is placed, call our office if your
bite feels uneven or if you have persistent swelling or pain.
Call us if you have any questions or concerns.
Back to top
|
