POST EXTRACTION INSTRUCTIONS
❖ DO NOT DISTURB THE WOUND – In doing so you may invite irritation, infection and/or bleeding. Be sure to chew on the opposite side for 24 hours and keep anything sharp from entering the wound.
❖ DO NOT SMOKE or CONSUME ALCOHOL FOR 48 HOURS – They promote bleeding and interfere with healing.
BRUSHING
– Do not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After, you may brush your teeth gently, but avoid the area of surgery.
MOUTH WASH
– Avoid all rinsing for 24 hours after extraction. You may use warm salt water (½ tea spoon salt) or mild antiseptic rinses after 24hr.
DO NOT SPIT OR SUCK THROUGH A STRAW OR TOUCH THE SOCKET WITH YOUR TONGUE – This will promote bleeding and may dislodge the blood clot causing a dry socket.
BLEEDING
– A rolled up gauze pad will be placed on the extraction site and you will be asked to keep it there for 1 hr. It is normal for some blood to ooze from the area of surgery. We will also give you a package of gauze to take with you to use at home. Should you need to use the gauze at home, remember to roll it into a ball large enough to cover the wound. Hold firmly in place, by biting on it for about 10-20 minutes.
PAIN
– Some discomfort is normal after surgery. Analgesic tablets (i.e. Aspirin, Tylenol etc.) If pain continues, call our office.
SWELLING
(surgical extraction) – To prevent swelling, apply an ice pack or a cold towel to the outside of your face in the area of the extraction during the first 12 hours. Apply alternately, 10 minutes on then 10 minutes off, for an hour or longer if necessary.
DIET
– Eat normal regular meals as soon as you are able after surgery. Cold, soft food such as ice cream or yoghurt may be the most comfortable for the first day. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids.
IN CASE OF PAIN/ SWELLING/ BAD TASTE PLEASE CALL OUR CLINIC
NEW CROWNS AND BRIDGES
PATIENT HOME CARE FOLLOWING CROWN OR BRIDGE APPOINTMENT
If you have had anesthetic, please be careful not to bite your tongue or the inside of your cheeks. Avoid eating chewy foods until the numbness has worn off. It is important that the temporary crown (or bridge) stay in place until the permanent crown is inserted. If the temporary crown becomes dislodged or feels uncomfortable, please call us so that we may see you as soon as possible. Do not attempt to “glue” the temporary crown back in yourself or “go without it” as the teeth may become sensitive or shift slightly preventing insertion of the permanent crown. You can use a denture adhesive like Fixodent to temporarily hold the crown or bridge in until you can get to our office. Some cold sensitivity and tenderness around the gum is normal for the first few days.
Avoid: Avoid chewing anything very hard or sticky on the temporary crown. Examples to avoid: Chewing gum, Hard Crusty Bread, Toffee, or any sort of hard candy.
To prevent pulling temporary crown off, be careful when flossing by pulling the floss through instead of forcing it through the teeth contact, and brush carefully and thoroughly. It is important to brush and keep gum tissue as clean as possible. Remember, we are happy to see you to check the temporary crown if you have a question prior to insertion of the permanent crown.
LONG TERM CARE OF YOUR NEW CROWN OR BRIDGE:
Now that your crown or bridge has been cemented there are a few things to expect and to care for. Initially you may experience some sensitivity to cold as the tooth may be slightly irritated by the cement. Sensitivity toothpaste generally helps (ie. Sensodyne or Colgate for Sensitive teeth). Also, if after a couple of days your “Bite” seems off or it just doesn’t feel normal, please call our office for a slight adjustment. It is extremely important to maintain excellent oral hygiene with your new crown or bridge. Some people have the misconception that a crowned tooth no longer needs to be maintained. That is simple not true. Crowns and bridges are still susceptible to decay near the gumline the same as a natural tooth.
The crown strengthens the portion of the tooth above the gumline but this margin area requires special care. Normal brushing and flossing is a must. Additional use of a fluoride rinse (ie. Act or Flurogard), and a high fluoride content toothpaste or gel are excellent for preventing additional root decay. These additional aids are extremely important for patient with a high decay rate and/or a history of periodontal disease.
Most all crowns and bridges have a ceramic outer layer or are all ceramic. These materials are very strong and color stabile but they still have potential to fracture the same as a natural tooth, as a rule of thumb, don’t do anything with a crown or bridge that could damage a natural tooth. DO NOT CHEW ICE! The extreme temperature change greatly increases the fracture of porcelain and natural teeth.
Fixed bridges require addition cleaning under the pontic (missing tooth). Since this “Fake tooth” is connected to the adjacent teeth a bridge threader is used to thread floss under it to remove plaque. These are readily available at most pharmacies. We would be happy to demonstrate how to use them.
FILLINGS
NEW FILLING – WHAT TO EXPECT?
Now that your new filling or fillings have been placed there are a few directions you need to follow.
First, be sure that the local anesthetic has completely worn off. This is to prevent you from biting or injuring your lip, cheeks or tongue. Also, refrain from drinking anything hot in temperature or smoking to prevent burning. Sometimes patients also find it difficult to swallow while still they are still numb, so please be careful. Our office mostly places tooth colored resin type fillings. These fillings are complexly hardened when you leave the office. You can eat on them as soon as the numbness wears off. Although the fillings are polished before you leave, they may feel slightly gritty at first. This should go away after a couple of days. If not please call back.
IMMEDIATE POST OPERATIVE COLD SENSITIVITY IS ALSO POSSIBLE!
This is usually from a normal reaction of the nerve following the procedure. Give it a couple of days and try a sensitivity protection toothpaste (i.e. Sensodyne or Colgate for Sensitivity) until it subsides. If it persist beyond a week or so or seems to worsen please call our office. Discontinue the use of any whitening toothpaste or other whitening products until the sensitivity subsides
Finally, if your bite seems off or if you cannot bite normally please call the office to have your filling adjusted. Do not wait for it to wear down on its own as the tooth may become tender.
Your new filling does not require any additional care other than daily brushing and flossing.
Be sure your toothpaste contains fluoride. New filings are susceptible to developing new decay around the edges of the filling if not cared for.
If you have experienced recurrent decay or have had multiple recurring cavities you may want to use a fluoride rinse like Act or other fluoride containing rinses.
There are also prescription strength fluoride paste and gels that our office can recommend. Please ask at your next visit or call.
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