2026 - Post-Visit Care

Post-Care Instructions for Extractions

Krystal — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Post Care Instructions: Extractions

Important Information for you to remember at home following tooth extraction

What to expect and do after extractions?

Bite on gauze applying pressure to the extraction site. Do not chew on gauze. Change gauze every 30 minutes until bleeding stops. Do not sleep with gauze in your mouth. If bleeding starts again, place new gauze or a warm (not hot) tea bag over the bleeding site and bite down with firm pressure for approximately 1 hour. Keep your head elevated with a pillow.
Do not spit. Spitting will cause excess bleeding and the extraction area needs to clot to help with the healing process.
Brush remaining teeth but do not rinse/spit forcefully or use mouthwash for 24 hours following your extraction.
Absolutely no smoking for 48 hours (or longer if you can). Smoking can cause a painful condition called dry socket. Healing is delayed in patients who are smokers.
No alcoholic beverages for 48 hours or while on pain medications.
Drink liquids and eat soft foods at room temperature (or cold) for the first 24 hours. Do not drink liquids through a straw.
After 24 hours, you may resume brushing and rinsing as usual. Rinse with 8 oz of saltwater (8 oz of water and 1 teaspoon of table salt) after each meal up to 6 times daily to keep the extraction site free of food and debris. Avoid chips, crackers, and anything that can get stuck in the extraction site and cause discomfort.
Black and blue marks/bruises can occur after surgery. Ice packs can be used to help minimize swelling. Apply ice packs to the outside of the face for 20 minutes and remove for 10 minutes. Re-apply as needed for the remainder of the day.
If pain increases after 48 hours or any abnormal reactions occur, please call the office.

Post-Care Instructions for Fillings

Krystal — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Post Care Instructions: Fillings

Important information for you to remember at home if you've just had a cavity filled at your dentist's office

Care Instructions for Fillings

What to expect if you were given a local anesthetic to have a cavity filled?

If you were given local anesthesia today for your fillings, it will wear off in approximately 1-3 hours. This varies from patient to patient on how long it will last. Be very careful to not chew or bite into your cheek, your tongue, or your lip while the area is numb. Do not eat until the numbness is gone. Children should be observed until the anesthetic has worn off. Due to the strange feeling of anesthesia, many children will bite the numb areas and create a sore.

What can you eat and drink after you've had a cavity filled?

You may have something to drink right away, but be cautious if you are numb. Hot drinks could cause a burn and you may not know it. You may also spill some down your chin with numbness in your lip. Composite (white) fillings set up right away and there is no need to wait to eat once the anesthetic is gone. Amalgam or silver fillings take time to set and should be avoided for chewing on that side for the first few hours. When a very large filling is placed, your dentist may ask that you wait until the next day to chew on your new filling and to use your opposite side to chew. When you begin to use your new filling to chew, a change in your bite may be noticeable. If you feel like your bite isn’t right or you hit your new filling before the other teeth on that side, please call us for a simple bite adjustment.

When can I brush and floss after a filling?

After your filling is set, please continue with your normal routine of brushing at least twice per day and flossing at least once daily.

Why are my teeth so sensitive after having a cavity filled?

It is completely normal to experience sensitivity to hot and cold after a new filling is placed for several days after treatment. Your gum tissue may be irritated from the procedure and you may be sore at the injection site for your anesthetic. All these symptoms are temporary and you should see gradual improvement until there is no longer discomfort. As long as your symptoms are getting better, there is no need for concern. If symptoms are worsening or not improving after a week, please call your dentist. If your cavity was large or close to the pulp or nerve of the tooth, it may take longer for the tooth to settle down.

Post-Care Instructions for Flexible Partial Wearers

Krystal — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Post Care Instructions: Flexible Partials

Important Information for you to remember at home if you've just received a partial denture

Care Instructions for Flexible Partial Wearers

You can expect to develop sore spots from your new partial.

Should you experience any persistent irritation, please call your office to see if an easy adjustment can be made. It may take several adjustments for your partial to fit comfortably.

It takes practice learning to speak with a new partial.

Practice reading out loud or singing! The more you speak out loud, the easier this will become.

Do I have more saliva now with a new partial?

You may experience more saliva than usual when you first begin to wear a partial denture. Your body will adjust to your partial and saliva flow will return to normal.

How can I keep my partial looking and feeling like new?

To help your flexible partial to look and feel like new, please follow these simple instructions:

Always rinse your flexible partial under running hot tap water for approximately 20 to 30 seconds before wearing it. The small flexible clasps will get hard and could break if this is not done.
Do not wear your partial to bed. Remove at night and keep in water when it is not being worn to keep it hydrated.
Do not use any over-the-counter denture cleaner that contains bleach. If using over-the-counter denture cleaners, only soak for 10 or 15 minutes — DO NOT SOAK OVERNIGHT!
Whenever possible, rinse your appliance after eating to remove food particles.
Always remove your partial to brush your teeth. Toothpaste is great for your teeth but not for your partial. Brushing your partial with toothpaste may remove the polish and roughen the surface over time. Use a gentle soap and your toothbrush to clean your new partial.
Bring your partial to your dental visits for your dental cleaning. Your partial can be ultrasonically cleaned for no additional charge while your hygienist is cleaning your teeth.
Keep your appliance away from pets. (There's a pet store for other toys nearby!)

Post-Care Instructions for Temporary Crowns and Bridges

Krystal — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Post Care Instructions: Temporary Crowns and Bridges

Important Information for you to remember at home with temporary crowns and bridges

Care for Your Temporary Crown or Bridge

The temporary you are wearing is made from a hard, acrylic material and should not be considered a fully functional tooth for chewing. Special care should be used during the short period of time that you will be wearing it. Your temporary is cemented on with temporary cement so that your dentist can take it off easily.

Do not eat or drink for a half-hour after cementation to give the cement time to set.
Please try to do most of your chewing on the opposite side of your temporary.
Please avoid chewy, sticky, or excessively hard foods such as gum, crusty bread/bagels, and hard or sticky candies. Brush your temporary normally but flossing should be done by inserting floss and then carefully pulling your floss out to the side of the temporary (not up, that can pop it off). Bridges require a special flossing technique which you may not be able to do with a temporary bridge.
Temporaries are worn to protect the tooth from sensitivity and to keep the tooth and gum tissues in the proper position. It is very important to have your temporary cemented back on if it should come off. It should not be off for more than a couple of days.
If your temporary does come off, please call our office to have it re-cemented. If our office is not open and you are experiencing sensitivity, or aesthetics are a concern—you may put your crown back on with Fixodent or Dent-temp (directions are on the package). Both can be purchased at your local pharmacy. Please call our office when we re-open to have your crown professionally re-cemented.
It is common for a tooth to be sensitive for a day or two after the preparation visit for your crown. If your tooth is sensitive to biting or any other symptoms last beyond a day or two of your preparation, please call us for a recheck to prevent complications. Many times it is as simple as adjusting the bite of your temporary crown.

Post-Care Instructions for Scaling and Root Planing

Krystal — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Post Care Instructions: Scaling and Root Planing

Important Information for you to remember at home after scaling and root planing

Do's and Don'ts after Scaling and Root Planing

Avoid eating anything until the numbness has worn off completely.

Avoid any hard foods that can leave small particles that may get caught underneath the gum tissue such as potato or tortilla chips, nuts, seeds, popcorn, etc.
Resume your home care regimen immediately. Be sure to incorporate any suggestions your hygienist made during your visit.
To help soothe the area, rinse your mouth 2-3 times per day with warm salt water rinses. Use one teaspoon of salt for an 8 oz glass of water.
Take a non-aspirin pain reliever for discomfort. Take Advil or Tylenol (whatever you would take for a headache) unless you are allergic or have a medical condition that does not allow this kind of medication.
Smoking slows healing. Please refrain from smoking for 24-48 hours after your visit.
Swelling or persistent discomfort should be reported to our office.