Patient Information

Home Care Instructions

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 high spots or problems with your bite, call our office at 214-821-0907 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 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 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.

Daily brushing and flossing are 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, 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 we have provided for you. Adjusting to the look and feel of your new smile will take time. If you have any problems or concerns, please let us know. We always welcome your questions.

After Crown and Bridge Appointments

Crowns and bridges usually take two or three 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 the 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 crown may come off. Call us at 214-821-0907 if this happens and bring the temporary crown 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 up on the floss which may dislodge the temporary but pull the floss out from the side of the temporary crown.

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 214-821-0907.

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 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 72 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 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 office at 214-821-0907 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 for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately at 214-821-0907.

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 & pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Injection sites may also be sore. Ibuprofen (Motrin), or Tylenol (one tablet 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 at 214-821-0907.

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 214-821-0907.
After Periodontal Surgery
Discomfort:
Some discomfort is normal and to be expected. The level and duration varies between patients. Take the prescribed or recommended pain medications as directed.
Rest:
Limit physical activity. To encourage rapid healing please rest.
Medication:
Ideally, pain medication should be taken BEFORE numbness wears off.
If an antibiotic was prescribed, take it as directed until it is ALL GONE.
Some pain medications may cause lightheadedness. Lying down will help this.
Some medications may cause an upset stomach. Taking these with food will lessen this side-effect.
Bleeding:
Slight bleeding from the surgical site is normal, however, extensive bleeding should not occur. If excessive or continuous bleeding does occur: a) discontinue all rinsing, b) sit up in an erect position, and c) apply a moistened tea bag to the immediate area for 20 minutes. (Repeat if necessary. If continued bleeding is of concern to you, do not hesitate to call the office)
Swelling:
Swelling and bruising is common but comes with varying degrees depending on your procedure and postoperative care. The use of ice packs on the day of surgery will help diminish the swelling you would otherwise experience in the next 48-72 hours. Applying ice for15-20 minutes followed by resting the same amount of time works very well. If you have 2 surgical sites alternate between them. Bruising may occur and is not unusual.
Sutures:
Sutures are expected to remain in place until you return to the office for your post-op visit. It is normal for resorbable sutures to begin to dissolve before your first postop visit, and we will remove the remaining sutures as indicated.
Mouthcare:
Do not brush, floss, rinse or spit the day of your surgery.
Avoid rinsing, spitting or sucking through a straw for 24 hours after surgery, blood is clotting and this will disturb the healing process.
Do not rinse with salt-water or mouthwash the day of your surgery.
Begin rinsing very gently with the prescription mouth-rinse 24 hours after your surgery, if prescribed.
Do not rinse your mouth vigorously for 2 days. Weak salt-water rinses may be used, gently, to loosen food debris.
You may begin to brush the NON -SURGICAL area the day following surgery. Remember to rinse very gently. You may begin brushing the surgical area 1 week after surgery.
When brushing the surgical area, run your toothbrush under hot water first to soften the bristles.
If you have had a pocket reduction or crown lengthening procedure done, you may need to use other dental aids, such as an interdental-brush along with your toothbrush to prevent tissue re-growth.
Eating:
Maintain a balanced diet.
Eat softer foods such as pasta, eggs, yogurt, baked potato or hot cereal.
Chew in the non-surgical areas as much as possible.
Avoid extremes: very hot, very cold, acidic foods, hard or crunchy foods.
Avoid the use of alcohol for 2 days after the surgery or until you are no longer taking medication.
Fluids:
Fluids should be consumed as soon as possible. It is recommended that you drink 6-8 glasses of water over the remainder of the day following surgery.
Avoid using a straw as it may cause suction, which may loosen the blood clot and cause bleeding.
Smoking:
We strongly advise NOT SMOKING after surgery. Smoking delays the healing, increases discomfort, and may encourage bleeding and infection in the surgical site.
Following Gingival Graft procedure
Discomfort:
Some discomfort is normal and to be expected. The level and duration varies between patients.
Take the prescribed or recommended pain medications as directed.
Medication:
Ideally, pain medication should be taken BEFORE numbness wears off.
If an antibiotic was prescribed, take it as directed until it is ALL GONE.
Some pain medications may cause lightheadedness. Lying down will help this.
Some pain medications may cause an upset stomach. Taking these with food will lessen this side-effect.
Bleeding:
Slight bleeding from the surgery area is normal, however, extensive bleeding should not occur. If such bleeding should occur, apply firm pressure with moist gauze or a moistened tea bag to the area for 20 minutes. If bleeding does not subside, please call our office.
Mouthcare:
1. DO NOT touch surgical sites for the first week; you could dislodge the healing tissue and compromise the success of the graft.
2. Do not pull your lip away to view graft site.
3. Do not brush the grafted tooth.
4. Clean the grafted tooth (or teeth)and the teeth next to it with the prescription mouth rinse and a Q-tip.
5. Do not brush, floss, rinse or spit the day of your surgery.
6. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or sucking through a straw for 24 hours after surgery. The site is clotting and this will disturb the healing process. Do not rinse with salt water or mouth rinse ,as they are irritants, and will cause pain and delay healing.
Eating:
Maintain a balanced diet.
Eat softer foods such as pasta, eggs, yogurt, baked potato or hot cereal.
Chew in the non-surgical areas as much as possible.
Avoid extremes: very hot, very cold, acidic food, also hard or crunchy foods.
Avoid the use of alcohol for 2 days after the surgery or until you are no longer taking medication.
Fluids:
Fluids should be consumed as soon as possible. It is recommended that you drink 6-8 glasses of water over the remainder of the day following surgery.
Avoid using a straw as it may cause suction, which may loosen the blood clot and cause bleeding and loss of graft.
Swelling and Bruising:
Some swelling often occurs and this is normal in the healing process.
Bruising may occur in surgical area.
If swelling seems excessive and is accompanied by fever of pain, please call immediately.
Smoking:
We strongly advise NOT SMOKING after surgery. Smoking delays the healing, increases discomfort, and may encourage bleeding and infection in the surgical site.