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Dental x-ray

Post Operative Instructions

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If you have had a procedure at our office, please utilize this page to find helpful post visit instructions. As always, for any further questions please feel free to call our office number. In case of emergency during non business hours, please call our emergency number. 

Extraction Postoperative Care

  • For 45-60 minutes after surgery, you should place pressure on the gauze pad covering the extraction site. If bleeding continues, apply new gauze and reapply pressure for an additional 45 minutes.

  • To minimize swelling after surgery, place a cold compress on the outside of your face near the extraction site for 20 minutes. Remove for 10 minutes. Repeat once.

  • Do not eat or drink hot, cold or spicy foods or beverages for the first 2-3 days after surgery.

  • Do not rinse your mouth. You may use a salt water rinse, however do not “swish” it around in your mouth. Simply tilt your head from side to side allowing the water to flow across. 

  • Do not use a straw fo the first 3 days.

  • It is recommended to not smoke for up to 7 days after surgery, but you may resume if necessary after a minimum of 3 days. 

  • Do not spit for the first 24 hours after surgery. 

  • Do not drink carbonated beverages for the first 24-48 hours after surgery. 

  • Do not brush your teeth on the day of the surgery; in the morning you may resume normal home care, gently brushing and flossing.

  • Some bruising, swelling, and pain are normal – particularly if you have had a wisdom tooth extraction. Take your prescribed medication and use a cold compress on your face.

  • Plan to eat soft foods, that you can cut with a fork for the first 24 hours. After that you may resume a normal diet as long as you are comfortable. 

  • Do not bite your lips, cheeks, or scrape your gums. Children should especially be watched to make sure they do not do this as It will damage soft tissues and result in pain.

Denture and Partial Home Care and Changes

  • You need to prepare yourself mentally to have a good experience with dentures. Dentures are a foreign object in your mouth and the patient can sometimes end up disappointed, frustrated and confused. Remember, it will take determination, confidence, patience and time to learn how to talk and chew with your new dentures or partials. 

  • Brush your dentures/partials twice a day with a soft bristled tooth/denture brush. Do NOT use toothpaste. 

  • Soak your dentures every night in a denture cleaner or mild hand/dishwashing soap. make sure dentures are completely covered. Soaking your denture once a week in denture cleaner (eg. Polident) will keep them clean.

  • Make sure to keep dentures/partials away from pets. Keep them in a covered container and covered with water when they are not in your mouth. They can become brittle and break if not kept moist. 

  • For partial dentures with metal clasps, special care should be taken while inserting and removing them. Keep your partials and remaining natural teeth absolutely clean to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

  • It is normal to experience some discomfort, sore spots and speech problems while getting used to your new dentures. Your dentures will need a few adjustments until you are comfortable.

  • The sound of your voice will seem different. To help with speech, read aloud for a few minutes every day. Your mouth will adjust, and your speech will improve.

  • Your bite will need to be adjusted as your dentures settle.

  • Your appearance will slightly change with your lips and cheeks looking fuller. 

  • Your sense of taste may change. A large portion of your taste buds may be covered up by the dentures. Luckily, the remaining taste buds can compensate for the ones covered up, so your sense of taste will return to normal. 

  • You should leave your dentures out for at least six hours to allow your gums to rest. Food particles trapped under the denture cause inflammation and sore spots. Brush the roof of your mouth as well as your gums and tongue. This will help keep your mouth healthy.

  • You should return to the office to have your dentures and mouth checked at least once a year, as changes in the mouth occur with further bone loss and wear on the teeth. These changes will make the denture not fit right thus causing trauma to your gums and bones leading to continuing damage.

  • With proper care we expect you to have years of satisfied use of your dentures. However, over time, there are changes in your jawbone and gums. When this occurs, your dentures/partials will feel loose and may require relining. Wearing ill-fitting dentures/partials for too long without refitting can cause severe bone loss and very serious oral disease. Please call our office if these symptoms occur.

While Wearing Temporary Bridge or Crown

  • You will wear temporary restorations until your permanent restoration is made (unless we have made a CEREC one-visit restoration for you).

  • It is normal for the gum around the tooth to be tender for a day or two. If the tenderness persists any longer than two days, please call the office immediately so we can check the temporary restoration and make any needed corrections.

  • If the temporary restoration comes loose or breaks, please call us.

  • Please avoid eating with the temporary restoration as much as possible and favor the other side of your mouth.

  • Carefully clean around the restoration with a toothbrush and floss every day. When you do floss, pull the floss carefully out the side to avoid pulling the restoration off. In certain cases, we may advise you not to floss the area until your final restoration is delivered.

  • Avoid sticky foods and chewing gum on the temporary restoration to avoid pulling it off.

  • Slight discomfort, sensitivity, and tenderness are possible after a tooth has had dental treatment, but if any of these persist for more than 2-3 days, please call our office.

After Permanent Restoration is Delivered

  • Chewing: Do not chew for at least 1 hour. The cement must mature for about an hour to have optimum strength.

  • Sensitivity: Mild sensitivity to hot or cold foods is common. It should disappear gradually over a few weeks. Infrequently, sensitivity lasts longer than six weeks. Please tell us if this occurs.

  • Aggressive chewing: Do not chew ice or other hard objects. Avoid chewing very sticky foods such as “hard tack” candies because they can damage or loosen the restoration.

CONTACT US

1084 Thomas Jefferson Road Suite 5

Regular Hour Number: (434) 385-6398

Emergency Number: (434) 207-2388

Please leave a message with this number and someone from the office will get back with you shortly. 

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