Post-Service Guide

Post-Service Care Instructions

Your Guide to a Healthy Recovery

 

Root Canal Therapy:

  • Avoid chewing on the treated tooth for a few days to reduce tenderness.
  • Pain or soreness may last up to a week; take ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed.
  • If swelling persists or worsens, contact our office immediately.
  • Maintain your usual brushing and flossing routine.
  • A crown may be recommended to strengthen the treated tooth, as it can become brittle over time.
 

Temporary Crown:

  • The temporary crown protects your tooth until the permanent one is placed. Handle it with care.
  • If the crown dislodges, reattach it with denture adhesive or a flour-water paste, and contact our office for an appointment. Do not leave it off, as the tooth may shift.
  • Sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure is normal. Take ibuprofen for discomfort, and call us if the crown feels too high.
  • Rinse with warm salt water to soothe gum tenderness.
  • Avoid hard or sticky foods to prevent damage to the temporary crown.
  • Use a Q-tip or proxabrush with hydrogen peroxide to reduce gum inflammation around the crown.
 

Crown Lengthening:

  • Take prescribed medications as directed.
  • Week 1: Avoid brushing the surgical area; rinse gently with lukewarm salt water after eating.
  • Chew on the opposite side and follow a soft food diet.
  • Apply a cold compress (5–10 minutes on/off) for the first 48 hours to minimize swelling. Use moist heat after 48 hours if needed.
  • Week 2: Clean the area gently with a Q-tip dipped in Chlorhexidine rinse.
  • Maintain regular oral hygiene for unaffected areas.

Avoid: Brushing the surgical site during Week 1, using straws, smoking, alcohol, sticky/hard foods, or pulling on the surgery area. Keep your follow-up appointment for suture removal and healing assessment. Call us with concerns.
 

Immediate Denture Care:

  • Stitches and Healing: Stitches will dissolve on their own within a few days unless otherwise instructed.
  • Wearing Your Dentures: Do not remove your dentures today; we will remove and adjust them during your follow-up. After this, clean them after meals and at bedtime.
  • Discomfort: Mild soreness from tooth removal or denture pressure is normal. Contact us for adjustments if you develop sore spots.
  • Medication: Take all prescribed antibiotics and use pain relief as needed.
  • Swelling: Apply an ice pack wrapped in a soft cloth to reduce swelling for the first 24–48 hours.
 

Adjusting to Your Dentures:

  • Your dentures may feel bulky at first and slightly alter your speech, but this will improve as you adapt.
  • Gum and bone shrinkage will occur during healing, with most changes happening in the first 6–18 months. A reline after six months will improve the fit and function of your denture.
 

Extraction and Bone Graft:

General Care for Extraction

  • Bleeding: Bite on gauze for 30 minutes. Afterward, change gauze every 20 minutes until bleeding stops. If bleeding persists after 1 hour, bite on a damp tea bag for 30 minutes with your head elevated.
  • Clot Protection: Avoid spitting, smoking, drinking through a straw, or vigorous rinsing for 48 hours to prevent dislodging the blood clot and causing dry socket.
  • Pain Management: Take anti-inflammatory medication (e.g., Advil or Motrin) before the anesthetic wears off.
  • Swelling and Bruising: Apply ice packs for 20 minutes on/off for the first 24 hours. Switch to heat after 24 hours to reduce pain and swelling.
  • Oral Hygiene: Rinse gently with salt water starting the day after surgery. Brush and floss other areas as usual but avoid the extraction site until it begins to heal.
  • Diet: Stick to soft foods for 2–3 days. Avoid nuts, seeds, chips, or anything that could lodge in the surgical site for 3 weeks to a month.
  • Activity: Rest and limit strenuous activity to minimize bleeding.

Bone Graft Care

  • Granules: It’s normal to notice small granules in your mouth for several days; this does not affect the graft’s success.
  • Wound Care: Avoid touching or applying pressure to the graft site with your tongue or fingers.
  • Sutures: Dissolvable sutures will dissolve within 5–7 days. If they fall out, it’s not a cause for concern.
  • Prostheses: If you were given a flipper, retainer, or denture, confirm with your doctor when it is safe to wear them. Adjustments may be necessary.
  • Healing Time: Bone grafts take 3–4 months to heal. Contact us with any concerns.
 

Night Guard Appliance:

Care Guidelines

  • Run under hot water for 30 seconds before use.
  • Wear only at night unless instructed otherwise by your dentist.
  • Ensure the appliance fits securely. Call our office if it feels loose or shows unusual wear, such as grooves.
  • Brush and floss your teeth before wearing to avoid trapping debris or plaque.
  • Clean after each use by rinsing with cool water and using a soft toothbrush. Avoid hot water to prevent distortion.
  • Periodically soak the appliance in denture cleaner (e.g., Polident) to prevent staining and bacteria buildup.
  • Bring your appliance to regular checkups for evaluation and adjustment.

Avoid

  • Eating or drinking while wearing the appliance.
  • Exposing it to boiling water or attempting to alter it yourself.
  • Allowing others to use your custom-fitted appliance.
  • Leaving it where pets, especially dogs, can access it.
 

Your New Restoration

Care Guidelines

  • Anesthetic: If local anesthetic was used, avoid biting your lips, cheeks, or tongue. Wait until the anesthetic wears off (2–3 hours) before eating or drinking. Resume a normal diet once it has worn off.
  • Sensitivity: Mild sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure is normal for up to 6 months, especially with larger restorations. If sensitivity worsens or doesn’t improve, contact our office.
  • Bite Check: If your restoration feels “high” or your bite feels uneven after the anesthetic wears off, call us for a quick adjustment to prevent irritation.
  • Pain Management: For deep restorations, we may recommend anti-inflammatory medication (e.g., two tablets with meals for 2–3 days) to help the tooth recover.

Additional Information

  • Restorations are designed to prevent future issues, but some teeth may still require further treatment (e.g., root canal, crown, or extraction) if they don’t respond well.
  • Contact us if you experience persistent discomfort, sensitivity, or any unusual symptoms.
Bayside Dentistry - Orillia

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