Aldergrove Family, Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry

• Put pressure (bite down) on the gauze that has been placed on the extraction site for one hour. If the bleeding continues new gauze should be placed for another hour. If active bleeding persists the gauze may be substituted by a soaked tea bag. Some blood may be present in saliva for 1-2 days.

• If you are supervising a child who has had an extraction done, make sure they don’t bite on their numb lips or tongue!

• Do not rinse your mouth, and do not brush or floss near the site for 24 hours.

• Avoid drinking hot, carbonated or alcoholic beverages for 48 hours after surgery.

• Do not spit and do not drink through a straw for 48 hours after surgery. This could dislodge a forming blood clot.

• Do not smoke for 48 hours following surgery. Smoking increases your risk for dry socket.

• Take prescribed or over the counter pain medication before the numbing wears off to control discomfort.

• You may experience some swelling or bruising, especially after extraction of impacted wisdom teeth. Apply an ice pack on your face over the site on the day of surgery for 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off to minimize swelling.

• The day after surgery, gently rinse your mouth after every meal with warm salt water. Let the water flow out, do not spit.

• Liquid and soft food diet is recommended 2-3 days following surgery. Introduce normal foods as it becomes comfortable.

• It is normal to experience some discomfort for several days after surgery, but please call our office if you experience excessive bleeding, severe pain, swelling or if you have any questions or concerns. We want to help if you are in any doubt!

• Do not eat on your new filling for one hour and until the numbness has completely worn off. Avoid hard, crunchy foods for 24 hours.

• If you are supervising a child who has had a filling done with anesthetic, make sure they don’t bite on their numb lips or tongue!

• You may experience cold and heat sensitivity while your tooth gets used to the new filling. If so, please apply sensitive toothpaste as an ointment to the affected tooth, spit out (do not rinse.) The sensitivity should subside in a few days.

• You may experience soreness on the gums near the filling. If so, rinse the area with warm salt water 2-3 times daily, and avoid brushing the affected area until the soreness subsides (usually in 1-2 days.)

• Call our office if you experience pain or discomfort for more than a few days after the procedure, if your bite feels uneven, or if you have any questions or concerns.

• Avoid any chewing on the side of the treated tooth until the numbness has completely worn off.

• A temporary filling is placed after treatment to protect your tooth between appointments. It is not uncommon for a small portion of your temporary filling to wear away or break off. If the entire filling falls out, please call our office so it can be replaced.

• To protect the tooth and help keep your temporary in place: avoid chewing sticky foods (especially gum), avoid biting hard foods and if possible chew on the opposite side of your mouth.

• It is normal to experience some discomfort for several days after your appointment, especially when chewing. 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 a few days (or even weeks.)

• Even if you were not experiencing any discomfort prior to treatment, it is normal for you to experience some degree of discomfort for a few days after. The tenderness is normal and is no cause for alarm.

• To control discomfort, take pain medication as recommended at your appointment. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone.

• If you were not prescribed a pain medication by us but are experiencing pain after your appointment, we recommend taking over the counter pain medication. We recommend Ibuprofen (Advil) or your usual pain medication. Should you experience discomfort that cannot be controlled with pain medications or should swelling develop, please call our office.

• To further reduce pain and swelling, rinse three times a day with warm salt water; dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, then rinse, swish, and spit. It's important to continue to brush and floss normally.

• Usually, the last step after root canal treatment is the placement of a crown on the tooth. A crown covers and protects the tooth from breaking in the future. Unless otherwise noted by the dentist, it is critical to have a crown placed on your root canal therapy treated tooth as soon as possible.

• Delay in obtaining the final restoration (crown) may result in fracture and/or possible loss of the tooth.

• If your bite feels uneven, you have persistent pain, or you have any other questions or concerns please call our dental office. 

• Crown and bridge work usually takes two appointments to complete. On the first appointment your tooth is prepared and impressions are taken. A temporary crown is placed on your tooth to protect it while the lab fabricates your crown.

• Avoid any chewing on the side of the treated tooth until the numbness has completely worn off.

• It is not uncommon for a small portion of your temporary crown to wear away or break off. If the entire crown falls out, save the crown and please call our office so it can be replaced.

• To protect the tooth and help keep your temporary in place: avoid chewing sticky foods (especially gum), avoid biting hard foods and if possible chew on the opposite side of your mouth.

• Continue normal brushing, but be careful flossing around your temporary crown. Do not pull floss back up between your teeth! Gently remove floss from the side to prevent dislodging your temporary crown.

• It is normal to experience temperature sensitivity with a temporary crown. Use a sensitive toothpaste if you experience sensitivity. It should subside after placement of the permanent crown.

• You may experience gum soreness. Your can rinse three times a day with warm salt water; dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, then rinse, swish, and spit.

• After the crown is placed you may feel slight pressure for a few days. Your bite may feel different for a day or two while you get used to your new crown. If your bite feels uneven or you feel discomfort chewing after a couple days, please call our office. 

• You may experience some pain, swelling and bleeding after the surgery.

• Take prescribed or over the counter pain medication before the numbing wears off to control discomfort.

• Apply an ice pack on your face over the site on the day of surgery for 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off to minimize swelling.

• Keep your next appointment on time for removal of sutures and follow up checks.

• Do not raise your lips with your fingers to inspect the treated area.

• Do not brush or floss near the surgical site for 24 hours. Continue to brush the teeth in the rest of your mouth.

• There is often a temporary loss of feeling in the operated area and the tooth may feel loose.

• Do not spit and do not drink through a straw for 48 hours after surgery. This could dislodge a forming blood clot.

• Do not smoke for 48 hours following surgery. 

• Should any difficulties occur, do not hesitate to call our office anytime. In case of an extreme urgency call 911.

• You may experience some cold and heat sensitivity, especially after scaling and root planing ("deep cleaning.") If you experience sensitivity, use a sensitive toothpaste.

• If you have received anesthetic, avoid chewing with the affected area until the numbness has completely worn off.

• Some blood in your saliva for 1-2 days after scaling and root planing is normal, but if you experience any excessive bleeding call our office.

• Continue your regular brushing and flossing.

• You may experience gum soreness. Your can rinse three times a day with warm salt water; dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, then rinse, swish, and spit.

• Call our office if you have any questions or concerns! 

• New dentures take time to get used to! It may require several weeks to get used to your new denture.

• You will experience some discomfort with your new denture for a few days. It is not uncommon for sore spots to develop in isolated areas of the mouth. Warm salt water rinsing can help these areas heal faster.

• It may be difficult to talk normally with your new denture for a few days. A way to practice is to read aloud for a period of time everyday. Your tongue and muscles will get used to the new denture and you will talk normally very soon!

• New or relined dentures will require a few adjustments to completely and comfortably fit your mouth.

• Proper cleaning of your denture is important to prevent stains and bacteria from accumulating on your appliance. Brush your denture with plain liquid hand soap and rinse well, or use a denture cleaning solution to clean your denture. Toothpaste can be too abrasive for your denture.

• Do not wear your denture to sleep. It is important to allow your gum tissue and jaw bone to rest in order to prevent further tissue irritation.

• Call our office if you are experiencing pain, discomfort or if you have any questions.

• You may experience some pressure and discomfort on your teeth for a few days after braces or new wires are placed.

• Be gentle with your braces and avoid chewing very hard or sticky foods.

• Brushing and flossing around braces can be challenging but is very important!

• Call our office if you have any questions.