Post Dental Instructions

POST EXTRACTION INSTRUCTIONS

The following instructions must be respected to promote healing. Note that it is normal to experience some discomfort and swelling after the surgery.

On the Day of surgery

1. Keep gauze in the mouth for an hour or two by maintaining a firm pressure and replace them every half-hour, as needed.
2. Always keep your head elevated.
3. Apply ice on the cheek at regular intervals (20 minutes every hour).
4. Blood-tinged saliva is a normal postoperative effect.
5. Limit your physical efforts and don’t forget to rest.
6. Do not dislodge the blood clot that has formed in the tooth socket because it helps to heal.
7. Avoid drinking through a straw.
8. Do not rinse your mouth or spit.
9. Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol.
10. Do not eat hard foods.
11. Avoid brushing your teeth near the extraction site for the first 72 hours.
12. Take the medicines as prescribed.
13. Eat soft foods or liquids on the day of the extraction. Resume your usual diet as soon as you are able to.

  From the next day and until complete healing

1. Rinse your mouth three times a day with warm water and salt.
2. Brush and floss every day to remove plaque and ensure better results in the long term.
3. Avoid brushing near the extraction site for the first 72 hours.
4. Avoid eating hard foods (nuts, candies, ice).
5. Bruising may appear on the skin. It will disappear after five to seven days.
6. You may have difficulty opening your mouth. It should come back to normal after four to five days.
7. If after three days the pain increases instead of decreasing, call us.

POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS: IMPLANTS

1. Do NOT disturb the wound. Avoid touching the wound or spitting for a few days after surgery. There may be a healing cap slightly protruding through the gum tissue.
2. Some bleeding or redness is normal for 24 hours. You can control excessive bleeding (where your mouth fills up rapidly with blood) by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. You may need to repeat this several times. If bleeding continues, please call us for further instructions.
3. Take the prescribed medications as instructed by the doctor.
4. Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice pack (or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice) on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, as much as possible, for the first 24 hours.
5. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or foods. Soft foods and liquids can be consumed on the day of surgery. You may return to a normal diet 1–2 days after surgery unless otherwise directed.
6. After 24 hours, Warm saltwater rinses should be done at least 3–4 times a day, especially after meals.
7. Good oral hygiene routines are essential for proper healing. You may begin brushing the non-surgery areas the day of surgery. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas.
8. Keep physical activities to a minimum for several days following surgery. Avoid bending over, heavy lifting, or straining. 
9. Don’t wear your dentures after the surgery. We shall tell you on your follow up visit when you can start wearing your prosthesis.

POST INSERTION INSTRUCTIONS FOR PATIENTS WHO RECEIVE REMOVABLE DENTURES

First of all congratulations for your new prosthesis.

Given below are the set of instructions you would need to follow:

1. First and foremost is that it will take time and patience to become comfortable with your new prosthesis. It requires time to learn to tolerate full or partial dentures. Please, be patient!
2. Initially, you may have to cut your food into small pieces and chew evenly on both sides.
3. Home care of the prosthesis and oral tissues are very important. Dentures and partials will accumulate plaque and tartar just like natural teeth if not maintained regularly. A denture brush should be used with toothpaste or soapy water daily on all surfaces of the denture or partial. A soft bristle toothbrush with toothpaste should be used to gently brush your gums, the roof of your mouth, your tongue and in the case of partial denture, the natural teeth. 
4. When placing thedenture in your mouth, seat it in place with finger pressure. Avoid biting it into place, because this may cause clasps or attachments to break.
5. It is common to develop some irritation (sore spots) under a new denture or partial. When this occurs, please let us know so that an adjustment appointment may be scheduled.
6. Full and partial dentures should not be worn 24 hours a day. We advise you to take the partial or full denture out at night . This is necessary to allow the gum tissue and underlying bone to be relieved from constant contact or pressure.
7. Over time, your tissues under the denture will change. As these changes occur, you will need to have your denture rebased, relined or remade. The time interval until one of these procedures is needed will vary individually, depending upon oral conditions.

We hope you will enjoy your new prosthesis.Please let us know how we may be of assistance to you. We appreciate the opportunity to serve your dental needs.

THANK YOU

VASAI DENTAL CARE AND IMPLANT CENTRE