Post Operative & Post Treatment Instructions
Arestin
- Do not floss, Waterpik, or use any type of pic on the teeth fo the next 10 days.
- Do not eat any crunch food on those teeth for 7 days.
- Do not use any mouth rinse today. No warm salt water.
- Do not brush the area for 12 hours.
- You can go back to normal brushing and rinsing the next day.
Extractions
- Bite on Gauze for 2 hours. Then fold 2 new gauze bite and change every 2 hours
- No smoking, rinsing, brushing or using a straw. Suction can cause severe pain
- Day after extraction rinse mouth gently every 3-4 hours (especially after meals) warm salt water= tall glass 1 teaspoon salt stir gently hold over area and gently rinse and repeat
- Light diet is advisable during the first 24 hours. You should only eat soft foods.
- Please follow the directions given on the packet of gauze, which you received at your visit.
Do NOT take these Dietary Supplements for 1 week
Garlic, Vitamin E, Flaxseed, Magnesium, Selenium, Coenzyme Q10, Glucosamine, Lycopene, Omega-3 Fish Oil, Vitamin A Complex, Gingko Biloba, Ginseng, Ginger
Fillings, Crown and Bridges
- Do not eat anything on the tooth for 2 weeks.
- Do not floss or Waterpik the tooth for 2 days. When you do, pull the floss through the side.
- It is normal for the tooth to be sensitive to hot, cold, and chewing for 4 months.
- Do not click your teeth together to check the bite. You might cause damage.
- Rinse your gums with warm salt water after meals to reduce soreness if needed. (TALL GLASS, WARM WATER, 1TSP SALT, 10 SECONDS)
- Brush gently.
Full/Partial Dentures
- Clean your dentures with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Read out loud for 15 minutes twice a day to train your tongue.
- Eat only soft foods for the first week.
- If yo get a sore spot, take denture out for 24 hours and rinse with warm salt water. (WARM WATER, 1 TSP SALT, RINSE FOR 10 SECONDS)
- Your bite and speaking may feel strange for a few months.
- Do not sleep with dentures.
- Only wear dentures for 2 hours around meal times the first week. Wear them for 2 hours, take out for 2 hours, alternate.
Teeth Whitening
- brush with Sensodyne toothpaste until tube is completely finished.
- No smoking (very important)
- No Listerine for one week
- ACT with fluoride is okay.
- Stay away from anything too hot or too cold for 2 days.
- Stay away from juice, soda, tea, coffee and red wine for 1 day.
- Anything acidic may cause sensitivity.
- If your teeth are sensitive for 1-2 weeks that is normal- just avoid what is causing the sensitivity.
Root Canal Therapy
First of all, Congratulations, you made it through the Root Canal! Hopefully you had a pleasant experience, considering the circumstances. That truly is our goal.
The most difficult questions we are asked is, “What am I going to feel after the numbness wears off?” Root Canal Therapy disinfects the inside of the root of an infected tooth. Since everyone heals differently, it is hard to predict what your experience will be. The following instructions are meant to guide you through the healing phase as comfortable as possible.
- Do NOT chew, touch with a finger, tap with tongue or finger, bite or put pressure on that tooth until your next visit. Do NOT floss or Waterpik that area and brush gently every day.
- If you are given any prescription medication related to this treatment please take them as instructed by Dr. Novick.
- Rinsing the inside of your mouth in the area of the treatment several times a day with warm salt water rinses can relieve mild irritation of the gum around the teeth.
Root Planing
- Do not chew on that side today.
- Do not floss or use piks on that side today.
- Gently brush. Gently Waterpik
- The first day, rinse with warm salt water after eating (TALL GLASS, WARM WATER, 1 TSP SALT, 10 SECONDS).
Temporary Crowns & Bridges
- Do not eat on that side until your next visit.
- Do not floss or Waterpik that area until your next visit.
- Rinse the gums with warm salt water. (TALL GLASS, WARM WATER, 1 TSP SALT, 10 SECONDS)
- It is normal for your tooth to be sensitive to hot and cold
- Brush gently every day.
- If the Temporary comes off you can gently put it back in with Fixodent or Polygrip and call our office to let us know.
- It is normal for the Temporary to feel rough, bulky, or a different bite.
TMJ
- Eat soft foods – see list
- Before Dinner and Bed Time
- Do Warm compresses alternating 10 min. on and 10 min. off (repeat twice daily)
- Sleep on other side
- When yawning- try to keep mouth from opening too wide
- Try to not talk too much!
NEW REMOVABLE DENTURES OR HAVE TMJ
It is OKAY to eat the following foods:
Yogurt, Oatmeal, Applesauce, Banana, Blueberries, Watermelon, Meatballs, Spaghetti, Pasta, Cake, Ice Cream (without nuts), Fish, Tuna Fish, Peas, Cooked Carrots, Spinach, Eggs, Thin Soft Cheese, Jello, Pudding
Do not eat the following foods:
Apples, Cheerios, Corn Flakes, Peppers, Granola, Oranges, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cantaloupe, Grapefruit, Grapes, Steak, Carrots, Bagels, Chicken Salad, Crackers, Pizza, Nuts, Peanut Butter, Candy, Gum.
NOTE: Any food that you cannot break up with your tongue is too hard. Please do not call for any adjustment appointment until you are only eating approved foods.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call us at 516-481-1446.