AFTERCARE FOLLOWING PERIODONTAL SCALING (DEEP CLEANING)
- Follow instruction pamphlet for Atridox/Arrestin procedure.
- If you are not allergic to aspirin or ibuprofen, take 2-4 (400-800mg) Advil every 6-8 hours or take the pain prescription as advised.
- In the event of excessive bleeding or pain, please call our office. After hours, please page the Doctor on call at 882-0270. If you cannot reach us, contact the hospital emergency room.
- Take pain medication before anesthesia wears off.
- Rinse two times per day with Perioguard.
- Use proxi-brush, waterpik, or rotary toothbrush daily as directed by Hygienist.
- Brush and floss daily as usual.
- Return for all periodontal appointments and routine periodontal care vital for continued stability of periodontal health.
AMALGAM "SILVER" AND COMPOSITE "TOOTH-COLORED" FILLINGS
- For a new amalgam filling, do not chew anything until the numbness has worn off. Chew on the opposite side of your mouth for 24 hours after the appointment until the filling is completely hard.
- New composite fillings are completely hardened at time of appointment and do not require any special precautions with respect to chewing, but do not chew anything until the numbness has worn off. Be especially careful with "front-tooth" composites - do not bite off apples, corn on the cob, etc... as they may break, chip or fracture.
- You may experience cold sensitivity with a new filling. This is normal and should dissipate over time.
- If you feel that your bite is "high" or "not even", please call our office immediately to have an adjustment.
- If you have discomfort and are not allergic to aspirin or ibuprofen, take 2-3 Advil every 6 hours or 1 Aleve every 12 hours.
- Should you have any concerns or problems, please call our office.
SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR COMFORT FOLLOWING TOOTH EXTRACTION
- Some swelling and bleeding is normal after an extraction. A gauze pad has been placed at the extraction site to limit bleeding. Close firmly on the pad for one hour. Replace if necessary. Normally, bleeding will stop within one hour. If it does not, bite on a plain tea bag to stop the bleeding.
- Do not disturb the tooth socket by sucking, spitting or exploring the area with your tongue. No straws.
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol for 24 hours.
- Do not rinse your mouth on the day of surgery. The following day, rinse gently with salt water (one teaspoon to a glass of warm water) and use Periogard twice a day.
- Eat light meals on the day of extraction. Cool, soft foods are best. Chew on the opposite side and avoid getting food into the extraction site.
- If you are not allergic to aspirin or ibuprofen, take 2-4 (400-800mg) Advil every 6-8 hours or take the pain prescription as advised.
- In the event of excessive bleeding or pain, please call our office. After hours, please page the Doctor on call by calling our office. If you cannot reach us, contact the hospital emergency room.
AFTERCARE FOLLOWING ENDODONTIC (ROOT CANAL) THERAPY
What To Expect
- It is not uncommon for a tooth to be uncomfortable or even exhibit a dull ache immediately after receiving root canal therapy. This should subside within one week.
- Your tooth will be sensitive to biting pressure and may even appear to feel loose. This feeling is a result of the sensitivity of nerve-endings in the tissue just outside the end of the root, where we cleaned, irrigated, and placed filler and sealer material. The feeling will be short-lived.
- You may feel a depression or rough area (on top of a back tooth or the back of a front tooth) where the access was made. There is a soft, temporary material in that area, which may wear away to some degree before your next visit.
- Occasionally, a small "bubble" or "pimple" will appear on the gum tissue within a few days after completion of a root canal. This represents the release of pressure and bacteria which no longer can be sustained around the tooth. This should disappear within a few days.
What To Do
- We recommend you take something for pain-relief within one hour of leaving our office, to get the medication into your blood system before the anesthesia we administered begins to subside. We recommend ibuprofen (Nuprin, Advil, Motrin) --- 800 mg (four tablets). If you have a medical condition or gastrointestinal disorder that precludes ibuprofen, acetaminophen (Tylenol, Excedrin) is a substitute, although it does not contain anti-inflammatory properties. Aspirin and aspirin-containing products are not advisable, as they tend to increase bleeding from the area that was treated.
- Whenever possible, try to chew on the opposite side from the tooth we have just treated, until you have a crown, or the access area is restored. Until that time, your tooth still is weakened and could fracture.
- Please avoid chewing gum, caramels or other sticky soft candy which could dislodge the temporary material or fracture your tooth.
Please call us if...
- You are experiencing symptoms more intense or of longer duration than those described above.
- You encounter significant post-operative swelling.
- The temporary material is dislodged, feels loose or feels "high" when biting.
- Your tooth fractures.
- You have any question at all.
CROWNS & BRIDGES
- Your crown or bridge has been cemented with very durable cement that sets immediately.
- Do not chew anything sticky or gum-like with your new crown or bridge.
- Brush & floss the gum tissue around the crown or bridge thoroughly each day.
- If the bite feels "high" or "not even", please contact the office as soon as possible for a bite adjustment.
- There is sometimes transient discomfort after a crown or bridge is cemented. If you should experience discomfort and are not allergic to aspirin or ibuprofen, take 2-3 Advil every 6 hours or 1 Aleve every 12 hours.
