Continue to bite on the cotton that has been placed after your extraction. This applied pressure will control the bleeding at the extraction site. Bite on cotton for 30 minutes to 1 hour. The cotton may be red or have a clot attached to it; this is normal. You may have a red color in your saliva for the next 24 hours, this does not mean it is bleeding. If bleeding does persist after a few hours use a warm tea bag, place it on the extraction site and bite down for 20 minutes with pressure.

Using ice will reduce and help prevent swelling and minimize discomfort. Place ice and water in a plastic bag and wrap it in a paper towel. Hold this against the side of your face adjacent to the extraction site for 20 minutes then remove for 10 minutes and repeat for approximately 4 hours.

DO NOT rinse, spit, drink through a straw or drink any hot beverages for 24 hours after the extraction. This may cause the clot to dislodge and cause bleeding. No smoking, vaping or alcohol (including mouthwashes) for at least 24 hours. A light diet, keeping food out of the extraction site is advised for the first 24 hours. Softer foods and chewing on the opposite side of the extraction is recommended for 3-4 days.

You may brush and floss but avoid the surgical site.

Medications– take all your normal medications with some food to prevent upset stomach

For discomfort you may take what you normally would use for a headache such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Acetaminophen such as Tylenol is also acceptable.

Recommended dose for post extraction pain:

• Combine- every 6-8 hours for the first 3 days
  • 2 x(200mg) Ibuprofen
  • 2 x(325mg) Extra strength Tylenol

Irrigating instructions:

Gentle warm saltwater rinses should start 24hrs after surgery

• Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt into 8oz of warm water
• Gently rinse after each meal and before bed
• Do not use syringe or water pick
• Allow for water to fall out of mouth, DO NOT SPIT
• Continue for 2 weeks or until wounds are healed

Avoid physical activity the first 24-48 hours after surgery. Keep head elevated when lying down.

Call Us When

• Swelling, tenderness, or pain increases after first 3 days
• Persistent fever over 102°
• You have nausea/vomiting

Please follow the guidelines below and contact us with any questions.

Some discomfort is normal for 2 to 4 days following root canal therapy. In some cases the tooth and surrounding tissue may be sore for a few weeks following treatment.

If you were given any prescriptions, please have them filled promptly and take as directed. If no prescriptions were given, you may choose to take ibuprofen medications such as Motrin or Advil (as long as you do not have any allergies to these medications) for alleviation of discomfort and swelling. Alternatively, you may use Tylenol. Do not exceed the guidelines printed on the label for any medication.

Applying a cold compress to the face near the treatment area will help minimize swelling. If using an ice pack, please do not apply ice directly to your skin but place a cloth between the ice and your skin at all times. You may apply the cold compress for up to 20 minutes on and at least 20 minutes off for the next 6-8 hours as needed.

While flare-ups are rare, they occur in about 5% of cases and may cause significant pain. They generally only occur with teeth that are extremely irritated and/or infected or with teeth that have a history of prior treatment. These sometimes occur randomly, even on patients that have had root canals done in the past without problems. If you have a flare-up, you may experience moderate to severe pain, swelling, throbbing, or general discomfort; please contact our office right away. You may be prescribed additional medication such as antibiotics, and/or you may be asked to come to the office for further treatment.

If you have a temporary crown:

Once you resume eating and drinking, avoid chewing or biting on the treatment area until your permanent restoration is placed. The temporary crown placed immediately following root canal treatment is usually a soft material that is vulnerable to fracturing (cracking). For this reason, it is important to avoid chewing on hard substances such as peanuts, pretzels, hard candy, ice cubes, etc.. You may experience increased sensitivity prior to the placement of the final restoration. Please keep the treated area clean by gently brushing and flossing regularly.

It is rare for a temporary filling to fall out although it may divot while in use. If the temporary falls out, please contact your general dentist as soon as possible. If your temporary falls out after office hours, you may purchase some temporary filling material from a pharmacy and follow the included instructions to cover the area until you can be seen in our office.

Please brush and floss as usual unless otherwise instructed by our office. Follow any other instructions provided by our office during your visit. Please take all medications as prescribed.

Congratulations on your new dentures! This information will assist you with your adjustment to new dentures. The adjustment period can last anywhere between a few weeks to few months depending on: the type of denture you receive, your dental history, and other factors. Even long-term denture wearers will undergo adjustment periods with a new set of dentures. Please remember that dentures are not permanent, as changes continue to occur in the bone and soft tissues of your mouth. Periodically, your dentures will require adjustments and relines to ensure a long service life and comfort. If you have any questions about your new dentures please call our office.

BREAKING IN PERIOD: Most new dentures require a breaking in period before they become comfortable. This length of time varies with each individual patient depending upon their ability, determination, and perseverance to learn how to use them. First, you must learn to keep them in place, and then gradually begin to use them.

WHAT TO EXPECT: At first, it’s normal to feel awkward with your new dentures. Your appearance will probably undergo a slight change, your speech may seem altered, and some areas of your mouth may feel too full. You may also experience excess saliva initially until your mouth is used to wearing dentures. Time, patience, and some training will soon bring about a relaxation of the facial muscles and begin to alleviate some of the apparent problems.

SORE SPOTS: Soreness from uneven pressure on the gums may develop at any time. This is not unusual and should be expected, especially if you have not worn a denture before. Sore spots are best corrected if the dentures are worn for at least 3-6 hours before returning to the office for an adjustment appointment. This will allow a more precise detection of the offending areas inside the denture, which are corrected by trimming.

SPEAKING: Learning to talk with your new dentures in place requires some patience and perseverance. Reading aloud is a very good way to learn to enunciate distinctly, especially those sounds or words that are not clear. Try to avoid any movements of the lips and tongue that tend to displace the dentures or cause them to click. Careful practice and repetition may help to hasten the process and produce a return to your normal, confident speech.

EATING: Start with soft foods. Take small bites, chew slowly and try to overcome the difficulties as they arise. Keep the food distributed evenly on both sides and chew on the back teeth. To bite foods that normally require the front teeth, such as apples or corn on the cob, apply pressure backwards against the front when closing. If the denture begins to dislodge, biting with the side teeth may be an easier alternative. More difficult foods such as steak and carrots will require a gradual learning curve. Initially, it is recommended that you avoid eating sticky, hard, or chewy foods.

LOOSENESS: If you have had teeth removed immediately prior to placement of the denture, it will soon feel loose, mainly due to the gum shrinkage that occurs as the gums heal. Complete healing of the gums and the underlying bone takes many months. During this period, a temporary liner may be placed inside the denture to keep it relatively snug. In addition, denture adhesives will help to retain a loose denture, once healing is complete, a permanent reline will be needed. In some cases, a new denture may need to be made for the best fit and function. There will be an additional charge for any necessary future denture relines or replacements.

MOUTH AND DENTURE HYGIENE: It is extremely important to clean your dentures with a soft brush, a cleaning paste, or soapy water after each meal. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or bleach. Food particles that are trapped under the denture can cause inflammation of the gums and sore spots. Remove your dentures and rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after each meal, if possible.

If you had teeth removed immediately before insertion of your new denture, wear your denture day and night for the first 48 hours, removing only to clean them. Your denture will act as a bandage and promote healing.

You should remove your dentures for at least 6 hours daily, usually when going to bed at night, to give your gum tissues a rest. During this time, the dentures can be cleansed and placed in a small tub of water to prevent them from drying out which can cause the denture to distort and not fit well.

At least once a week, place them in an enzymatic or special denture cleaning solution to remove those otherwise insoluble stains and proteins. Because foods will stick to the soft tissues of your mouth, it is also beneficial to brush the roof of your mouth and your tongue daily. Massaging and stimulating these tissues will reduce the incidence of inflammation and sore spots.

BREAKAGE: Dentures are made of acrylic (plastic) material and can break easily when misused or dropped. Never wrap your denture in a tissue or napkin and put it in your pocket or purse. When going outside of the house, keep a denture case or container to stow away your denture safely if you need to remove it for a short period of time. At home, keep your denture in a tub of water to prevent warping.

REGULAR EXAMS: Be sure to have your dentures checked at least once annually as changes in the mouth, such as, bone loss, and wearing of the teeth will inevitably occur. When supporting gums and bone change, causing your denture to become loose or uncomfortable, your denture may need to be adjusted, relined or replaced. Making sure careful maintenance of the dentures and the supporting soft tissues, will help to slow down these changes.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM, PLEASE CALL US 410-643-5500

When an anesthetic has been used, your lips and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid any chewing and hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off. It is very easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while you are numb.

It is normal to experience some hot, cold & pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Injection sites may also be sore. Ibuprofen (Motrin), Tylenol or aspirin (one tablet every 3-4 hours as needed for pain) work well to alleviate the tenderness. If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days or if the sensitivity to hot or cold increases, contact our office at Eastern Shore Dental Care, 410-643-5500

You may chew with your composite fillings as soon as the anesthetic completely wears off, since they are fully set when you leave the office.

If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at Eastern Shore Dental Care, 410-643-5500

Crowns and bridges usually take two or three appointments to complete. In the first visit, the teeth are prepared and molds of the mouth are taken. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the custom restoration is being made. Since the teeth will be anesthetized, the tongue, lips and roof of the mouth may be numb. Please refrain from eating and drinking hot beverages until the numbness is completely worn off.

Occasionally a temporary crown may come off. Call us if this happens and bring the temporary crown with you so we can re-cement it. It is very important for the temporary to stay in place, as it will prevent other teeth from moving and compromising the fit of your final restoration.

To keep your temporaries in place, avoid eating sticky foods (gum), hard foods, and if possible, chew on the opposite side of your mouth. It is important to brush normally, but floss carefully and don’t pull up on the floss which may dislodge the temporary but pull the floss out from the side of the temporary crown.

It is normal to experience some temperature and pressure sensitivity after each appointment. The sensitivity should subside a few weeks after the placement of the final restoration. Mild pain medications may also be used as directed by our office.

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

Be aware that a certain amount of swelling, discomfort, and bleeding is normal.

Remain biting using firm pressure on gauze for at least 30 minutes. At that time, remove gauze and replace using gauze provided. Repeat every 30 minutes as needed.

Take pain medications as needed according to the directions.

Do not spit for a minimum of 72 hours. No smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol for a minimum of 72 hours.

Mouthwash that has been prescribed should be used 24 hours after the procedure. DO NOT swish with mouthwash instead place in the mouth and hold in area of implant for 30-60 second. This should be done 2-3 times daily until more instructions are given at your post op appointment.

Apply ice immediately in the area where the implant is completed. If your implant was placed in the anterior of upper jaw, you can expect swelling and discomfort up into the nose and even under the eye. Bruising and discoloration is not unusual. Ice should be placed in plastic bag then in a washcloth and placed on the face. Apply for 30 minutes then off for 20-30 minutes. This should be done near continuous basis (or as much as possible) for the first 48 hours.

Avoid excess physical activity and exercise. In addition DO NOT smoke. Smoking increases the risk of implant failure.

Do not drink with a straw or drink carbonated liquids for a minimum of 72 hours.

If you have any concerns or questions do not hesitate to call the office at 410-643-5500