A: After an extraction, it is important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process - that's why we ask you to bite on a quaze pad for 30 to 45 minutes after the extraction.  If bleeding or oozing continue after you remove the guaze pad, place another guaze pad and bite firmly for another thirty minutes.  You may need to do this several times.

After the blood clot forms it is important to protect it, especially for the next 24 hours.

DO NOT:  SMOKE, DRINK THROUGH A STRAW, RINSE YOUR MOUTH VIGOROUSLY OR CLEAN THE TEETH NEXT TO THE EXTRACTION SITE.  Any sucking action with your cheeks can dislodge the blood clot and could cause a "dry socket".

Limit yourself to calm activities for the first 24 hours.  This keeps your blood pressure lower, reduces bleeding and promotes the healing process.

After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain and have some swelling.  You can use an ice bag to keep this to a minimum (a bag of frozen vegetables works just as well).  The swelling usually starts to go down after 48 hours.

Use pain medication only as directed.  Call the office is it doesn't seem to be working.  If antibiotics are prescribed continue to take them until all pills are used - even if symptoms and signs of infection are gone.  Drink lots of fluids and eat only soft nutritious foods on the day of the extraction.  Avoid alcoholic beverages and hot spicy foods.  You can eat normally starting the next day or as soon as it feels comfortable.

Gently rinse your mouth with salt water 3 times a day beginning the day after the extraction (1 tsp. of salt in a cup of warm water, rinse-swich gently- spit).  Also, rinse gently after meals as it helps keep food out of the extraction site.  It is very important to resume your normal dental hygiene routine after 24 hours.  This should include brushing your teeth and tongue and flossing at least once a day.  This speeds healing and helps keep your breath and mouth fresh.

CALL US RIGHT AWAY IF:

- You have heavy bleeding

- You have severe pain (may be a dry socket)

- You have continued swelling after 2 to 3 days

- You have a reaction to the medication

 

 

 

A: Crowns and bridge usually take 2 appointments to complete.  On the first appointment the teeth are prepared.  Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the custom restoration is being made.  After each appointment when anesthetic has been used, your lips teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment.  Avoid any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off.

On rare occasions, temporary crowns come off.  Call us if this happens and keep the temporary so we can re-cement it.  It is very important for the proper fit of your final restoration that temporaries stay in place.

It's normal to experience some hot, cold, and pressure sensitivity after each appointment.  Your gums may be sore for several days.  Rinse three times a day with warm salt water (1 tsp. of salt in a cup of warm water, rinse-shish-spit) to reduce pain and swelling.  Use medication only as directed.

To help keep your temporary in place, avoid eating sticky foods (especially gum), hard foods, and if possible, chew only on the opposite side of your mouth.  It's important to continue to brush normally, but floss very carefully and remove the floss from the side to prevent removal of the temporary crown.

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

A: Root canal therapy often takes two or more appointments to complete.  A temporary filling or crown is placed to protect the tooth between appointments.  After each appointment when anesthetic has been used, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment.  Avoid any chewing until the numbness has worn off to prevent injuring your cheeks or tongue.

Between appointments it is common (and not a problem) for a small portion of your temporary filling to wear away or break off.  If the entire filling falls out, or if a temporary crown comes off, call us so that it can be replaced.

It's normal to experience some discomfort for several days after a root canal appointment, especially when chewing.  To control discomfort, take pain medication as recommended.  To further reduce pain and swelling, rinse three times a day with warm salt water (1 tsp. of salt in a cup of warm water, rinse-swish-spit).

If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them as prescribed, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone.  To protect the tooth and help keep your temporary in place, avoid eating sticky foods (especially gum), hard foods, and if possible, chew only on the opposite side of your mouth.  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.  If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent swelling or pain, or you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to call our office.