Patients taking medication to relieve pain or other drugs that may impair reflexes should not operate machinery, cars, etc., while taking these drugs. Antibiotics should be taken as directed until the prescription is finished.
Bleeding - A certain amount of bleeding is expected and the saliva may be blood tinged for 24 - 48 hours. If bleeding is persistent, it can be controlled by placing a piece of sterile gauze over the wound and biting on it for 20 minutes. Repeat if necessary. Do not rinse your mouth. It is important that the gauze be placed directly over the site where the tooth was removed and not over the adjacent teeth. The gauze must be bulky enough to prevent the upper and lower teeth from meeting when biting firmly.
Pain - This can be controlled by taking 2 Motrin every 3 - 4 hours if necessary. If you have been given a prescription for relief of pain, use it as directed. These medications should be taken with food. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
Swelling - Apply an ice bag to the face in the area of the surgery for periods of 20 minutes per hour for the first 24 hours. After 24 hours, warm applications can be used at the same intervals. Swelling is not uncommon after extractions. It is usually maximal in about 24 - 48 hours and may last several days thereafter.
Mouth Rinse - Do not rinse the mouth within 24 hours after surgery. After this time, use one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse gently after meals for about 10 days.
Diet - Soft and bland foods are advisable for the first 24 hours. Good nutrition post-surgery is essential. Do not use a straw for drinking. Smoking within the first four days after an extraction can retard heeling.
Hygiene - Continued proper oral hygiene is imperative. Normal care should be maintained, but the area around the extraction site should be excluded from care involved when brushing, flossing, dental irrigation appliances, etc. for one week.
In Case of an Unusual Disturbance - Call the office immediately at (516) 922-5740 Please keep your phone line free for a return phone call.
Now that we've placed a temporary crown, it's important to follow these recommendations to ensure the success of your final restoration: If we used an 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. Take antibiotics or other medications only as directed. 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. Brush normally, but floss very carefully. Remove floss from the side to prevent removal of the temporary crown. To reduce any discomfort or swelling, rinse your mouth three times a day with warm salt water. Use about 1 teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water. It's normal for your gums to be sore for several days. If your teeth are sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure, use a desensitizing toothpaste. If sensitivity persists beyond a few days, 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 crown 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.
Now that we've placed your permanent crown, it's important to follow these recommendations to ensure its success: If we used an anesthetic during the procedure, avoid chewing until the numbness has completely worn off. 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 about 1 teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water. It's normal for your gums to be sore for several days. If your teeth are sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure, use a desensitizing toothpaste. If sensitivity persists beyond a few days, call us. To protect your crown, avoid chewing ice or other hard objects. Call our office if your bite feels uneven, you have persistent sensitivity or discomfort, or if you have any questions or concerns.
Now that we've placed a temporary bridge, it's important to follow these recommendations to ensure the success of your final restoration: If we used an 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. Take antibiotics or other medications only as directed. 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. Brush normally, but floss very carefully. We may recommend special floss, brushes, or other cleaning aids to keep the area free of bacteria. To reduce any discomfort or swelling, rinse your mouth three times a day with warm salt water. Use about 1 teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water. It's normal for your gums to be sore for several days. If your teeth are sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure, use a desensitizing toothpaste. If sensitivity persists beyond a few days, 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.
Now that we've placed your permanent bridge, it's important to follow these recommendations to ensure its success: If we used an anesthetic during the procedure, avoid chewing until the numbness has completely worn off. 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 about 1 teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water. It's normal for your gums to be sore for several days. If your teeth are sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure, use a desensitizing toothpaste. If sensitivity persists beyond a few days, call us. 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 . Call our office if your bite feels uneven, you have persistent sensitivity or discomfort, or if you have any questions or concerns.
Now that we've placed a temporary onlay, it's important to follow these recommendations to ensure the success of your final restoration: If we used an 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. Take antibiotics or other medications only as directed. 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. Brush normally, but floss very carefully. Remove floss from the side to prevent removal of the temporary onlay. To reduce any discomfort or swelling, rinse your mouth three times a day with warm salt water. Use about 1 teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water. It's normal for your gums to be sore for several days. If your teeth are sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure, use a desensitizing toothpaste. If sensitivity persists beyond a few days, call us. It's common and not a problem 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 onlay 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.
Now that we've placed your permanent onlay, it's important to follow these recommendations to ensure its success: If we used an anesthetic during the procedure, avoid chewing until the numbness has completely worn off. 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 about 1 teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water. It's normal for your gums to be sore for several days. If your teeth are sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure, use a desensitizing toothpaste. If sensitivity persists beyond a few days, call us. To protect your onlay, avoid chewing ice or other hard object. Call our office if your bite feels uneven, you have persistent sensitivity or discomfort, or if you have any questions or concerns.
Root canal therapy often takes two or more appointments to complete. A temporary filling or crown is placed to protect the tooth between appointments. After each appointment when anesthetic 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. Between appointments it's common (and not a problem) for a small portion of your temporary filling to wear away or break off. If the entire filling falls out, or if a temporary crown comes off, call us so that it can be replaced. It's normal to experience some discomfort for several days after a root canal appointment, especially when chewing. To control discomfort, take pain medication as recommended. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone. To further reduced pain and swelling, rinse three times a day with warm salt water. To protect the tooth and help keep your temporary in place, avoid eating sticky foods (especially gum), hard foods, and if possible, chew only on the opposite side of your mouth. It's important to continue to brush and floss normally. Usually, the last step after root canal treatment, is the placement of a crown on the tooth. If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office.
When anesthetic 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's normal to experience some hot, cold and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Your gums may be sore for several days. Rinse three times a day with warm salt water to reduce pain and swelling. You may chew right away on white fillings since they set completely on the day of the appointment. If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office.
Congratulations on your new smile! Your investment in your smile will give you many years of enjoyment and satisfaction. 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 the 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. It's normal to experience some hot, cold, and pressure sensitivity. Removing tooth structure and placement of new materials may result in a period of adjustment. Your gums may also be sore for several days. Rinse three times a day with warm salt water to reduce pain and swelling. Mild pain medication should ease your discomfort during the adjustment period. Don't be concerned if your speech is affected for the first few days You'll quickly adapt and speaking normally. You may notice increase salivary flow. Your brain may respond to the new size and shape of your teeth by increasing salivary flow. This should subside to normal within a week or so. Daily plaque removal is critical for the long-term success of your dental work. Maintain a regular oral hygiene routine. Daily brushing and flossing is a must. Regular cleaning appointments in our office are also critically important. We'll use the appropriate cleaning abrasives and techniques for your specific cosmetic work. It's important to change habits to protect your new teeth. Any food that could chip, crack, or damage your natural teeth can do the same to your new cosmetic restorations. Avoid sticky candies, any unusually hard foods or substances (such as peanut brittle, fingernails, pencils or ice). Avoid or minimize your use of foods that stain, such as tea, coffee, red wine, and berries. Smoking will quickly yellow your teeth. Let us know if you grind your teeth at night or engage in sports so we can make you a custom mouth guard. Adjusting to the look and feel of your new smile will take time. If you have any problems or concerns, we always welcome your questions.
After final restorations have been placed, it's important to follow these recommendations to ensure long-term success: If we used an anesthetic during the procedure, avoid chewing until the numbness has completely worn off. Take antibiotics or other medications only as directed. To reduced any discomfort or swelling, rinse your mouth three times a day with warm salt water. Use about 1 teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water. It's normal for your gums to be sore and swollen for a few days. 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. Avoid using any tobacco products. Ideally, you should quit altogether because using tobacco increases the risk that your body will reject the implants. Avoid hard chewing and grinding because these habits can damage implants and their restorations. If this is a continued problem, we may need to adjust the restorations or have you wear a nightguard. 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 questions or concerns.