Post-Op Instructions

LOSS OF A SURGICAL DRESSING

1. Small pieces of the dressing may occasionally break off in days following surgery. If the area is small, and your mouth feels comfortable, it is perfectly safe to wait until your next visit.
   
2. If a sizable part of the dressing comes off, and the surgical area becomes painful, call your doctor. It may then be necessary to replace it.

TOOTH BRUSHING AND RINSING

1. Brush your teeth very lightly the day of surgery. DO NOT brush near the dressing.
   
2. After the first day, brush your teeth normally. Brush gently where the dressing is placed or near the surgical area.
   
3. Do not rinse your mouth vigorously on the day of surgery.
   
4. Frequent rinsing of your mouth the day after the surgery with warm salt water (one quarter teaspoon to one cup of water) to aid the healing process and help keep your mouth clean. An antiseptic mouthwash may be used. This gentle rinsing should continue for one week to ten days.

SWELLING

1. Expect a small amount of swelling; this is normal.
   
2. Use moist ice packs on the face ( 5 minutes on, 5 minutes off ) the day of surgery to help minimize the swelling.
   
3. If swelling begins after the first 24 hours, increase the frequency of your rinsing with warm salt water.
   

BLEEDING AND BRUISING

1. Expect a small amount of bleeding for a day or two following surgery.
   
2. Call your doctor if the bleeding persists after one day or becomes heavy.
   
3. You may notice a small amount of blood on your pillow the morning after the surgery.
   
4. There may be some discoloration around the lips, cheeks, or eyes. This will disappear in a few days.
   

DISCOMFORT AND PRESCRIPTIONS

1. Following all types of surgery, a certain amount of pain can be expected. Tylenol may be taken every 4 to 5 hours if needed, or take the medication prescribed by your doctor. This should be taken as directed for pain.
   
   
2. ANTIBIOTICS
   • If your doctor has prescribed antibiotics, it is very important that you take them as directed
     
   • Once you have begun taking your prescription, you must finish all of the medication even after you feel better, or it may not be effective.
     
   • If symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, itching, rashes, dizziness, blurred vision, or shortness of breath occur, call your doctor at once.

EATING

1. DO NOT eat or drink anything warm for 3 to 4 hours after surgery, nor drink any hot liquids that day.
   
2. You may eat or drink whatever you desire, but try to select soft, nourishing foods.
   
3. Avoid hard chewing or spicy foods.
   
4. A good diet is essential to healing, so be sure to eat well balanced meals during the treatment.
   
5. Food supplements such as Sego, Nutriment, Ensure or Carnation Instant Breakfast are highly recommended if “regular” foods are difficult.
   
6. Tobacco smoke is an irritant to healing tissue. Please refrain from smoking if at all possible.
   

After 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 abnormalities or problems with your bite, call our office so we can 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 may be sensitive in the interim. Your gums may also be sore for several days. Warm water rinses three or four times a day will reduce pain and swelling. A mild pain medication ( two tablets 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 you will soon be speaking normally. You may notice increased salivation. This is because your brain is responding to the new size and shape of your teeth. This should subside to normal in about a week.

Twice daily brushing and once daily flossing are a must for your new dental work. Daily plaque (bacteria) removal is critical for the long-term success of your new teeth as are regular oral hygiene appointments.

Any food that can crack, chip, or damage a natural tooth can do the same to your new teeth. Avoid hard foods, substances (such as nuts, peanut brittle, ice, fingernails, or pencils), and sticky candies. Smoking will stain your new teeth. Minimize or avoid foods that stain such as coffee, red wine, tea, and berries.

If you engage in sports, let us know, so we can make a custom mouthguard. If you grind your teeth at night, wear the night guard if one was provided for you. Adjusting to the look and feel of your new smile will take time. If you have any difficulties or concerns, please let us know. We always welcome your questions.

After crown and bridge appointments

Crowns and bridges usually take two to four appointments to complete. In the first visit the teeth are prepared, and molds of the mouth are taken. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while your custom restoration is being made. Since the teeth will be anesthetized, the tongue, lips, and roof of the mouth may be numb. Please refrain from eating and drinking hot beverages until the numbness is completely worn off.

Occasionally, a temporary restoration may come off. Call us if this happens place it carefully back on your teeth and see if it will re-adhere itself. If not, bring the temporary with you so we can re-cement it. It is very important for the temporary to stay in place, as it will prevent other teeth from moving and compromising the fit of your final restoration.

To keep your temporaries in place, avoid eating sticky foods (gum), hard foods, and if possible, chew on the opposite side of your mouth. It is important to brush normally, but floss carefully and don’t pull the floss back through the contact space which may dislodge the temporary, but pull the floss out to the side of the temporary restoration.

It is normal to experience some temperature and pressure sensitivity after each appointment. The sensitivity should subside a few weeks after the placement of the final restoration. Mild pain medications may also be used as directed by our office.

If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at (440) 461-8200.

After Tooth Extraction

After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That’s why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 1 hour 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, consume hot liquids, or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 24 hours. These activities will dislodge or dissolve the clot and retard the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours, as this will increase blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.

After a tooth is extracted, you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack 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 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, with the exception of the hot liquids as soon as you are comfortable.

It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include twice daily 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 experience heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately at (440) 461-8200.

After Composite Fillings (white 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, and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Injection sites may also be sore. Ibuprofen (Motrin), Tylenol or aspirin (two tablets every 3-4 hours as needed for pain) work well to alleviate the tenderness. If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days, or if the sensitivity to hot or cold increases, contact our office.

You may chew with your composite fillings as soon as the anesthetic completely wears off, since they are fully set when you leave the office.

If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at (440) 461-8200).