Comprehensive Dental Services in Germantown

• If you received anesthesia, Please make sure that the local anesthetic has completely worn off before chewing. This is to prevent you from biting your lip, cheeks or tongue.
• Now that your crown  or bridge  has been cemented there are a few things to expect and to care for. Initially you may experience some sensitivity to cold as the tooth may be slightly irritated by the cement. Sensitivity toothpaste generally helps (ie. Sensodyne or Crest for sensitive teeth).
• If after a couple of days your “Bite” seems off, please call our office for a slight adjustment. It is extremely important to maintain excellent oral hygiene with your new crown or bridge. Some people have the misconception that a crowned tooth no longer needs to be maintained. Crowns and bridges are still susceptible to decay near the gum-line the same as a natural tooth.
• Normal brushing and flossing are a must. Additional use of a fluoride rinse (ie. Carifree or Act ), are great at preventing root decay. These additional aids are extremely important for patient with a high decay rate and/or a history of periodontal disease.

• Please make sure that the local anesthetic has completely worn off before chewing. This is to prevent you from biting your lip, cheeks or tongue.
• Also, do not drink anything hot to prevent burning.
• We only place tooth colored resin-type fillings and these fillings are completely hardened once the treatment is completed. You can eat on them as soon as the numbness wears off.
• Post-treatment cold sensitivity is not uncommon. This is usually from a normal reaction of the nerve following the treatment.
• If sensitivity persists beyond a week or seems to worsen please call our office.
• If your bite seems off or if you cannot bite normally please call us so we could have your filling adjusted. Do not wait for it to wear down on its own as the tooth may become tender.
• Proper brushing and flossing is important to prolong the longevity of your fillings and prevent recurrent decay around them.

Day of Surgery

Do not disturb the surgical area today. Bite firmly on a gauze pad for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour to deal with the heavy oozing that is normal after an extraction. Insert a clean gauze pad after one hour if there is profuse oozing. Oozing may continue for 24 hours. Do not keep gauze in the mouth without active bleeding.

• Avoid spitting, sucking on candy, or sucking through a straw.
• Avoid rinsing your mouth vigorously, and do not brush or floss next to the extraction site.
• Avoid tobacco products for at least 72 hours.
• To reduce bleeding, avoid vigorous activity, and elevate your head when lying down. When numbness has subsided completely, drink plenty of fluids, eat only soft foods, and chew on the opposite side.
• Swelling & bruising is to be expected. Swelling usually reaches its maximum peak in 48 hours. To minimize swelling and bruising, cold packs or bags of ice wrapped in a towel should be applied to the face adjacent to the surgical area. This should be applied for 20 minutes then removed for 20 minutes during the first 24-48 hours after surgery. After 48 hours, it is usually best to switch from using the cold pack to applying moist heat or heating pad to the same area, until swelling has receded. Tightness of the jaw muscles may cause difficulty in opening the mouth.
• Take a pain reliever before the anesthetic has worn off or as recommended.

Next Day

• Eat any nourishing food that can be taken with comfort.
• Brush and floss as usual, using care around the extraction site for the first week.
• Continue with all antibiotics for the full course even if symptoms have subsided. (Only if prescribed)
• Apply moist heat to any swelling as necessary.
• Rinse with warm salt water every 3 hours for the first few days after surgery, then three to four times per day thereafter for a week . ( ½ tsp of salt in 1 cup of warm water )
• Contact our office if you experience heavy bleeding, pain or swelling for more than two days, a bad taste in your mouth, or if you have a reaction to the medication.

If you received anesthesia, do not chew until the numbness has subsided. This is to prevent you from biting your lip, cheeks or tongue.

• Avoid eating hard or sticky foods, such as chewing gum, and chew on the opposite side of the mouth if possible.
• Brush as usual, but floss with care. When flossing, remove floss from the side of the tooth.
• Use a desensitizing toothpaste if teeth are sensitive to heat, cold, or pressure, but contact our office if sensitivity increases or persists beyond a few days.
• Contact us if the crown comes off, and save it so that it can be re-cemented.
• It is important that the temporary crown stay in place to ensure the proper fit of the permanent crow
• if your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent sensitivity or discomfort please call us.

Please read these instructions completely and carefully.

• Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease. The purpose of the treatment is to remove bacterial plaque and tartar from around teeth and under the gum line, which is causing bone loss. The goal is to produce clean, smooth teeth and roots, which will promote healing of the inflammation and infection that causes gum disease.
• After scaling and root planing, avoid eating anything on the area being treated for two hours or until the dental anesthetic has worn off completely. Avoid sticky, hard (such as ice cubes, nuts, popcorn, chips), brittle, spicy, highly seasoned, or acidic foods in your diet. Foods such as soups, pasta, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese etc. are best. Be sure to maintain adequate nutrition and drink plenty of fluids.
• To help soothe the area, rinse your mouth 2-3 times a day with warm salt water rinses, including after eating or snacking. Use one teaspoon of salt for every 3 ounces of water. If you are prescribed Peridex/Chlorhexidine, use as directed.
• Resume your homecare regimen of brushing twice a day and daily flossing, however be gentle with the area recently treated. Your gum health must be maintained with proper homecare, as instructed, and regular dental visits. Do not be concerned if there is mild bleeding during brushing for a few days following the scaling and root planning procedure.
• Please refrain from smoking for 24 to 48 hours after scaling and root planing. Tobacco will delay healing of the tissues.
• You may take a non-aspirin pain reliever for any tenderness or discomfort. Take Ibuprofen (Advil) or Tylenol unless you are allergic or have medical conditions that prevent taking these medications.
• You may experience some cold sensitivity, this is normal. Any sensitivity should gradually go away in a few weeks. If needed, you can use desensitizing toothpastes, such as Crest Sensitivity, Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief or Sensodyne. Avoid toothpastes with “whitening” or baking soda, as this will increase the sensitivity.