HINTON, EDSON, JASPER, GRANDE CACHE, ALBERTA - The following post-op instructions
are intended to give you some general guidelines to follow after your
appointment or treatment with the dentist. If you have any questions
which are not answered here, feel free to call your dentist.
Crown & Bridge Appointments
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 their thickness as normal. If you continue to detect any high spots
or problems with your bite, call your dentist to schedule an adjustment
appointment.
It is normal to experience some hot and cold
sensitivity. The teeth require some time to heal after removal of tooth
structure and will be sensitive in the interim. Your gums may also be
sore for a few days. Warm salt water rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup
of warm water) three times a day will reduce pain and swelling. A mild
pain medication (One tablet of Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Motrin) every 3-4
hours) should ease any residual discomfort.
Don't be concerned if
your speech is affected for the first few days. You'll quickly adapt and
be speaking normally. You may notice an increase in 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
brushing and flossing is a must for your new dental work. Daily plaque
removal is critical for the long-term success of your new teeth, as are
regular cleaning appointments.
Any food that can crack, chip or
damage a natural tooth can do the same to your new teeth. Avoid hard
foods and substances (such as beer nuts, peanut brittle, ice ...) and
sticky candies. Smoking will stain your new teeth. Minimize or avoid
your use of foods that stain such as coffee, red wine, tea and berries.
If
you engage in sports let your dentist know so he/she can make a custom
mouthguard. If you grind your teeth at night, wear the night guard the
dental office has provided for you. Adjusting to the look and feel of
your new smile will take time.
Tooth Extractions
After
tooth extraction, it is important for a blood clot to form to stop the
bleeding and begin the healing process. That's why the dentist will ask
you to bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes after the appointment. If
the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another gauze pad and bite
firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times.
After the blood clot forms, it is important not to disturb or dislodge the clot as it aids healing.
Do
not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush
teeth next to the extraction site for next 72 hours. These activities
will dislodge or dissolve the clot and retard the healing process. Limit
vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours as it will increase blood
pressure and increase bleeding from the extraction site.
After the
tooth is extracted you may feel some pain and experience some swelling.
An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the
area will keep swelling to a minimum. Take pain medications as
prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.
Use the
pain medication as directed. Call the dental office if the medication
doesn't seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to
take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms
of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluid and eat nutritious soft food
on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are
comfortable.
It is important to resume your normal dental routine
after 24 hours. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at
least once a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh
and clean.
After a few days you will feel fine and can resume
your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain,
continued swelling two or three days, or a reaction to the medication,
call your dentist immediately.
Composite Fillings
When
an anesthetic has been used, your lips and tongue may be numb for
several hours after the appointment. Avoid any chewing and hot beverages
until the numbness has completely worn off. It is very easy to bite or
burn your tongue or lip while you are numb.
It is normal to
experience some hot, cold & pressure sensitivity after your
appointment. Injection sites may also be sore. Ibuprofen (Motrin),
Tylenol or aspirin (one tablet every 3 to 4 hours as needed for pain)
work well to alleviate the tenderness.
If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days or if the sensitivity to cold or hot increases, contact your dentist.
You
may chew on your composite fillings as soon as the anesthetic
completely wears off since they are fully set when you leave the dental
office.
If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, call your dental office.
Cosmetic Reconstruction
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 their thickness as normal. If you continue to detect any high spots
or problems with your bite, call your dental office.
It is normal
to experience some hot and cold sensitivity. The teeth require some time
to heal after removal of tooth structure and will be sensitive in the
interim. Your gums may also be sore for a few days. Warm salt water
rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) three times a day
will reduce pain and swelling. A mild pain medication (I tablet of
Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Motrin) every 3-4 hours) should ease any residual
discomfort.
Don't be concerned if your speech is affected for the
first few days. You'll quickly adapt and be speaking normally. You may
notice an increase in 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 brushing and flossing
is a must for your new dental work. Daily plaque removal is critical
for the long-term success of your new teeth, as are regular cleaning
appointments.
Any food that can crack, chip or damage a natural
tooth can do the same to your new teeth. Avoid hard foods and substances
(such as beer nuts, peanut brittle, ice ....) and sticky candies.
Smoking will stain your new teeth. Minimize or avoid your use of foods
that stain such as coffee, red wine, tea and berries.
If you
engage in sports let your dentist know so he/she can make a custom
mouthguard. If you grind your teeth at night, wear the night guard.
Adjusting to the look and feel of your new smile will take time.
Root Canals
Though
90% of the root canals we perform are completed in one appointment,
root canal therapy may take more than one appointment to complete. Since
anesthetic has been used, your lips, tongue and the roof of your mouth
may be numb for several hours after your appointment.
Avoid chewing and hot beverages until the numbness has worn off.
Between
appointments until the tooth is fully restored, it is common (and not a
problem) for a small portion of your temporary filling to wear away or
break off. If the entire filling fall out or if a temporary crown comes
off, call your dental office to arrange a time so it can be replaced.
It
is normal to experience some discomfort for several days after a root
canal appointment. To control discomfort, take the pain medication
prescribed by the dentist as recommended.
If antibiotics are
prescribed, continue to take them as directed, even if all signs and
symptoms of infection are gone. To protect the tooth and keep the
temporary in place, avoid eating hard and sticky foods (gum) and if
possible, chew on the opposite side of your mouth. Continue to brush and
floss normally.
Usually, the last step in root canal treatment is
the placement of a crown on the tooth. A crown will protect the tooth
from breaking in the future. If your bite feels uneven, if you have any
signs of swelling or increasing pain, or if you have any concerns,
contact your dentist.