instructionsCare Instructions for Scaling and Root Planing
If you received anesthesia, do not eat or chew until the numbness has subsided.
Wait two hours after your procedure before eating, and eat only soft food for the first 48 hours (ideally, for 72 hours).
- Until healing has occurred, avoid hot and spicy foods and alcohol.
- Avoid tobacco products for at least 72 hours.
- On the first night, brush the area lightly with a soft brush.
- On the second day, floss lightly, and return to your normal dental care gradually over the next week.
- Use a mouth rinse if directed, but avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol.
- Continue with all antibiotics for the full course even if symptoms have subsided.
For pain or discomfort:
- Take a pain reliever before the anesthetic has worn off or as recommended.
- Rinse mouth with warm salt water.
- Contact our office if you experience bleeding that continues for more than three days or if you have any other concerns.
>> Return to top
Care Instructions for Dental Implants
If you received anesthesia, do not eat or chew until the numbness has subsided.
- DO NOT rinse with warm salt water. The doctor has given you a prescription rinse containing chlorhexidine, an antibacterial medicine to assist in the healing and keep the site healthy. Make sure that you get rid of any toothpaste residue prior to rinsing and then DO NOT eat or drink for 30 minutes after rinsing. This will maximize the potency of the medication.
- If you have had Gore-Tex sutures, they may need to be removed after healing. They are white strings which may see in your mouth. If they become loose and annoying, call the office to have them removed at your earliest convenience. Do not try to remove them yourself. If you have not had Gore-Tex sutures, you will have had dissolvable ones which will disappear.
- Some degree of discomfort and pain arises a numbness subsides. At the first sign of pain or discomfort, take the prescribed medications. As an alternative you may take 2-4 Advil. If you cannot take aspirin products, then take two Tylenol. If the pain you are having, is not controlled by the Advil or "Advil-like" medication, you may take the prescribed severe pain medicine [typically Vicodin ES], but only after eating some food. Any pain medications can cause nausea and vomiting. It is very important that you have some food in your stomach before you take them.
- DO NOT DISTURB THE AREA OF SURGERY. Allowing the tissues to rest undisturbed assists the healing process. Avoid vigorous chewing, excessive spitting, or aggressive rinsing. If you routinely use a Water Pik, avoid doing so during the healing phase. Initial healing may be delayed, active bleeding restarted, or infection introduced.
- Expect minor bleeding or oozing. If bleeding persists, continue pressure on a fresh sponge for an additional 30 minutes to an hour. Biting on a moist tea bag wrapped in gauze may help control persistent oozing from the surgical site. Tea contains tannic acid, which helps promote blood clotting.
- Firm pressure for 15-30 minutes usually controls the problem. If you check too frequently, (every few minutes), the blood clot will not form properly and bleeding will continue. Should active bleeding persist, Please call the office or page the doctor.
- LIMIT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY during the first 24-48 hours after surgery. Over exertion may lead to postoperative bleeding and discomfort. When you lie down keep your head elevated on a pillow. You may wish to place a towel on your pillowcase to avoid staining from any blood-tainted saliva
- PAIN FOLLOWING ORAL SURGERY may be most severe within the first 6-8 hours after the operation. Please do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking prescription medication. Do not wait for the pain to become unbearable before using some form of pain medication, as then it will be more difficult to control. Moderate to severe pain usually does not last longer than 48 hours. And mild discomfort usually diminishes after the third day. Please contact us if you experience prolonged severe pain so that we can help make you more comfortable.
- SWELLING RELATED TO THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE may occur following certain types of procedures. An ice pack should be placed on the side of your face for 20 minutes then taken off for 10 minutes and repeated. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as Advil, also help decrease swelling.
- FLUID INTAKE IS IMPORTANT. Clear beverages, ginger ale, Seven-up, or Sprite, water, teas, soda, broth, soups, or juices are all suitable. Avoid hot liquids until the numbness has worn off, and the bleeding has stopped. Drink plenty of fluids. AVOID USING A STRAW FOR SEVERAL DAYS. It may dislodge the blood clot and delay healing.
- FOOD SELECTION. Soft, cool foods are most easily tolerated. A nutritious diet is most important to your comfort and temperament. Remember that eating can prevent nausea sometimes associated with certain medications. Supplements such as Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast and/or yogurt supply excellent added nutrition.
- DO NOT EAT ANY POPCORN, POPPY SEEDS, SESAME SEEDS OR SEEDED FRUITS. THEY CAN GET STUCK AND CAUSE INFECTION!
- Take any special medication we have prescribed on the special dosing schedule. Yogurt with active cultures or acidophilus should be taken while on antibiotics to prevent diarrhea. It is important to take the antibiotics to completion. If you are given antibiotics and take birth control pills, you should be aware that the birth control may become ineffective, therefore take appropriate precautions.
- Take any regularly scheduled medication (for diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) on your regular schedule unless advised to do otherwise.
- AVOID SMOKING COMPLETELY, as it tends to delay healing and interfere with regeneration
THE DAY FOLLOWING SURGERY AND THEREAFTER
On the day following the surgery, rinse your mouth carefully with 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a large glass of warm water. Repeat three times a day until remaining soreness subsides. Please do not use a syringe or water pik during the healing phase.
ANY SWELLING, SORENESS OR STIFFNESS IN THE JAW MUSCLES can be relieved by applying a warm moist towel to the affected side of the face. Sometimes a soft diet may be necessary for the first few days following surgery. Most patients are able to resume regular food intake within a short time.
Bruising marks may appear on the skin of the face during the first few days after surgery. Should any undue reaction or complications arise, notify the office immediately. We will endeavor to get to emergency calls as promptly as possible. If you are experiencing an emergency, go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
- Warm salt water rinses should continue twice daily for the next two weeks with one teaspoon of salt per 8 ounces of water.
- If antibiotics are part of your post operative instructions, it is essential that you take them as prescribed, on time, every time, with no skipping doses. If you experience an adverse reaction to your medication, call the office immediately.
- It is also recommended that you use an ice pack on the side of your face and the sides of your jaws for the first 48 hours after surgery. Try to do this around the clock as much as possible.
- It is important that you maintain a high protein diet throughout the first part of the postoperative phase. Foods that are a good source of protein are eggs, soup, cottage cheese, milk products, and lean ground beef.
- The blender may be used to chop up foods. Food supplements, such as Meritene or Nutrament are available at pharmacies. A fairly soft diet should be maintained for several months following surgery while the implant area heals. Avoid all foods that are hard or crusty.
- Avoid using a Water Pik and do not play with the implant with your tongue. This will only traumatize the implant area. Also, avoid any food that is hard or crusty, and avoid using a Water Pik.
- We recommend you include a daily vitamin supplements. Any good multi-vitamin with a minimum of 1000 mg of Vitamin C will work.
- If upper posterior implants were placed, we instruct patients to avoid blowing the nose during the first two weeks of the postoperative period. Otherwise, infection can set in.
- Any dental implant patient who suspects he or she is getting an infection during the postoperative phase is advised to contact us immediately.
- If no signs of infection show up, the patient should return in two weeks for suture removal and postoperative evaluation.
- The remainder of the healing process can take up to six months from the time the dental implant is placed. You may have to wear a temporary prosthesis and make periodic adjustments to make sure it fits and works correctly.
- When the permanent prosthesis is made, we will give you instructions on cleaning the implant and keeping it in optimal health with periodic visits to our office.
>> Return to top
Care Instructions for Extractions
Within the first 24 hours:
Bite firmly on a gauze pad for at least 30 minutes and as long as necessary to deal with the heavy oozing that is normal after an extraction. Insert a clean gauze pad after one hour if there is profuse oozing. Oozing may continue for 24 hours.
- Avoid spitting, sucking on candy, or sucking through a straw.
- Avoid rinsing your mouth, and do not brush or floss next to the extraction.
- Avoid tobacco products for at least 72 hours.
- Use allergy medication to prevent sneezing and coughing.
- To reduce bleeding, avoid vigorous activity, and elevate your head when lying down.
- Avoid hot, carbonated, or alcoholic beverages and hot or spicy foods.
- When numbness has subsided completely, drink plenty of fluids, eat only soft foods, and chew on the opposite side.
For pain or discomfort:
Take a pain reliever before the anesthetic has worn off or as recommended.
Use an ice bag over the area to minimize swelling, applying it for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
After 24 hours:
- Begin eating normally as soon as it's comfortable.
- Brush and floss as usual, using care around the extraction site for the first week.
- Continue with all antibiotics for the full course even if symptoms have subsided.
- Apply moist heat to any swelling, or rinse with warm salt water two to three times a day for one week.
- Contact our office if you experience heavy bleeding, pain or swelling for more than two days, a bad taste in your mouth, or if you have a reaction to the medication.
>> Return to top
Care Instructions for Periodontal Surgery
If you received anesthesia, do not eat or chew until the numbness has subsided.
- Avoid eating for 2 hours after surgery, and eat only soft foods for the first 48 hours.
- Until gums are healed, avoid alcohol and hot or spicy foods.
- Avoid tobacco products for at least 72 hours.
- Brush and floss the untreated areas as usual.
- Treated areas should be rinsed gently with warm water or mouthwash, but avoid frequent or vigorous rinsing until the area has healed.
- Continue with all antibiotics for the full course even if symptoms have subsided.
To control bleeding:
Avoid strenuous activity for the first 24 hours after surgery.
Slight bleeding may occur within the first day after surgery, but if it persists apply pressure with a gauze pad or bite on a clean moist tea bag for 20 minutes. Contact our office if this does not control the bleeding.
For pain or discomfort:
Take a pain reliever before the anesthetic has worn off or as recommended. Discomfort may be experienced for several days. Pain relievers should not be taken on an empty stomach.
Rinse mouth three times a day with warm water to which one teaspoon of salt has been added. Contact our office if you experience bleeding, swelling, or discomfort that increases or persists for more than three days, or if you have any other concerns.
>> Return to top
Care Instructions for Permanent Crowns
If you received anesthesia, do not eat or chew until the numbness has subsided.
- To protect your crown, avoid chewing hard objects such as ice.
- Crowns can be brushed and flossed normally, but a desensitizing toothpaste can be used if teeth are sensitive to heat, cold, or pressure.
- Medications such as antibiotics should be taken only as directed.
- Gum soreness is normal for a few days, but if you experience swelling or discomfort, rinse mouth three times a day with warm water to which one teaspoon of salt has been added.
- Contact our office if you have persistent discomfort or sensitivity, if your bite feels uneven, or if you have any other concerns.
>> Return to top
Care Instructions for Temporary Crowns
If you received anesthesia, do not eat or chew until the numbness has subsided.
- Avoid chewing for at least a half-hour.
- Avoid eating hard or sticky foods, such as chewing gum, and chew on the opposite side of the mouth if possible.
- Brush as usual, but floss with care. When flossing, remove floss from the side of the tooth.
- Use a desensitizing toothpaste if teeth are sensitive to heat, cold, or pressure, but contact our office if sensitivity increases or persists beyond a few days.
For pain or discomfort:
- Medications including antibiotics should be taken only as directed.
- Rinse mouth three times a day with warm water to which one teaspoon of salt has been added.
- Contact our office if the crown comes off, and save it so that it can be recemented. It is important that the temporary crown stay in place to ensure the proper fit of the permanent crown.
- Contact us as well if your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent sensitivity or discomfort, or if you have any other concerns.
>> Return to top
Care Instructions for Fillings
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. 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 Crest 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.
>> Return to top
|
