Composite Fillings — POST OP HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Do not eat or chew anything until the numbness has completely worn off.
It is very easy to injure your lip or tongue while you are numb.
It is normal to experience some hot, cold or pressure sensitivity
after your composite is finished. The injection site may also be sore.
Tylenol, Ibuprofen or aspirin will work well to alleviate the tenderness.
It is important that your bite is correctly balanced. If you feel that your
bite is not correctly balanced, please call the office to schedule an
appointment at no charge for a simple adjustment.
Crowns and Bridges— POST OP HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Although the temporary crown is strong, please do not chew on hard
or sticky foods, in order to avoid pulling off or breaking the temporary.
Be careful when flossing around the temporary crown. Insert floss
normally and remove floss by pulling straight out. Do not pull the
floss back up through the contact point because this could pull off
the temporary crown. Continue with your normal brushing.
If the temporary crown comes off, retrieve and save the temporary,
if possible. Please call the office immediately to schedule a time,
so we can fix or replace it, at no additional charge. No harm will be
done to the tooth, if the temporary is not in place for a couple of days, although the tooth may be sensitive. We need to fix the temporary within two or three days, because, without the temporary, the other teeth can shift and the final restoration may not fit.
Temporary restorations do not seal the tooth as well as the permanent
restoration will. Sensitivity, gum soreness or slight discomfort is not
uncommon. If you feel that your bite is incorrect, please call the office
for a simple adjustment. Take Tylenol, Ibuprofen or aspirin for discomfort.
Please call the office if you have any questions.
Dentures and Partials — POST OP HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Dentures and partials require regular care and good oral hygiene.
Rinse your appliance under running water, to remove any food particles,
after every meal. Use an approved denture cleaner every day, and be sure
to rinse your appliance after soaking it in the cleaning solution. Keep your
appliance in the case, in water, when it is not being worn, to keep it hydrated.
Handling a denture requires care. It’s a good idea to stand over a folded
towel, or a sink filled with water, in case you accidentally drop the denture.
Your new appliance might need some adjustment after you have worn
it for 24 hours. This is normal, and can be done in a small amount of time
at the office, at no charge. Do not attempt to adjust your denture yourself!
Please call the office so we can adjust it for you as soon as possible.
For the first few weeks, your new denture may feel awkward or bulky.
However, you will soon become accustomed to wearing it.
Inserting and removing the denture will require some practice.
We recommend that you take your denture out at night when you sleep.
Replacing your missing teeth should make eating a more pleasant
experience. Start out by eating soft foods that are cut into small pieces.
Remember to brush your natural teeth and gums regularly
as directed by Dr. Johnston.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please call the office.
Extractions — POST OP HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
After a tooth extraction, it is important to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. This is why we ask you to bite, with gentle pressure, on the gauze pad on the extraction site for 45 minutes after your appointment.
If the bleeding continues, new gauze, slightly dampened with water,
should be held in place for another 30 minutes. If this fails to stop the bleeding, a cool moistened teabag can be placed for another 30 minutes.
PLEASE refrain from smoking or drinking alcohol for 24 hours after your extraction. This is very important to promote healing.
Apply ice (or an unopened bag of frozen peas or frozen corn) for the first
24 hours (30 minutes on, then 30 minutes off) to help reduce any swelling and relieve discomfort.
Keep your head elevated when relaxing, to reduce the chance of swelling. Limit vigorous exercise for 24 hours.
Take care that you do not bite on the numb side of your lip or tongue.
Do not attempt to eat until all numbness is gone.
After 24 hours begin rinsing with plain, room temperature water,
after meals. You may resume normal brushing the next day,
avoiding the extraction site.
Do not suck on a straw, and avoid hard, crunchy foods like nuts
and chips for 72 hours.
If pain medication or antibiotics have been prescribed, take the
medication according to directions.
Please call the office if you have any questions.
In-Office Whitening — POST OP HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
We hope you enjoy your new brighter smile! Your teeth will continue lightening for the next 24 hours.
Your “take home kit” includes your models, your custom trays and your home whitening syringes. Please wait one week after your treatment
to begin using your home whitening maintenance system.
Please keep your models in a safe place. In the event that you loose or tear your custom trays, we can remake your trays, using the models, without taking new impressions. YOUR TRAYS MUST BE KEPT SEPARATELY FROM YOUR MODELS. Always keep your trays in the box provided in your kit.
For the next 24-48 hours, please avoid food or liquids that may stain your teeth, such as colored fruit juice, coffee, tea, mustard and ketchup.
It is normal for your teeth to be a little bit sensitive
for the next 24-48 hours.
Please feel free to call the office if you have any concerns.
Root Canal Therapy — POST OP HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
The healing process may take a few days and any minor discomfort
will subside gradually. You may experience moderate sensitivity
to pressure. Your gum near the treated tooth may feel sore
for a few days after treatment.
Take any medications that we have prescribed for you according
to instructions.
Please wait till the numbness is gone before attempting to eat
or chew anything.
Continue brushing and flossing.
A temporary filling has been placed on your tooth.
Please do not bite down on the tooth for at least one hour.
The temporary filling must be replaced within 2-6 weeks.
Please follow up with the placement of your permanent
restoration as you have been instructed. An extended delay placing
the final restoration may cause permanent damage to your tooth.
Please call the office if you are experience pain or swelling
or if you have any questions.
Orthodontics — POST OP HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Dr. Johnston feels that your oral hygiene is a top priority during your orthodontic treatment.
Please read the instructions in your home care kit. Included in your home care kit, is a special toothbrush, used to clean between, under and around the wires, the brackets and your gums to loosen any food particles. You should floss daily. Rinse your mouth thoroughly after you brush, and also rinse your toothbrush. Dr. Johnston recommends using a water oral hygiene device that helps remove food particles.
The brackets and wires on your teeth make it harder for you to clean them. Trapped food particles and plaque are a breeding ground for cavity causing
bacteria. If gum disease develops, it causes swelling of the gums, which
makes proper cleaning even more difficult. It is very important to get the
food particles out of your mouth, after each meal, because they can stain
tooth enamel.
Always use the proper techniques that Dr. Johnston has shown you for brushing and flossing. While wearing your braces, be sure to schedule regular cleanings every 6 months to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Orthodontic Braces |Foods to Avoid while wearing your braces|
— POST OP HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Becoming familiar with your braces usually means making a few adjustments
in your eating habits. Some foods damage your braces or cause problems
for your teeth. The following list of foods should either be avoided OR you
must prepare these foods differently than you have in the past and use
caution while eating them.
Apples — don’t bite into a whole apple, cut the apple into small pieces
Bubble Gum — check with Dr. Johnston, as you may be able to chew
sugarless gum only
Candy — no caramel, taffy, gummy bears etc.
Carrots — thinly slice carrots
Corn on the Cob — remove kernels from the cob
Sticky Foods — can bend wires or pull brackets off
Sugary Foods — If you must indulge, brush your teeth ASAP or rinse your mouth with water.
NO Corn Chips or Pretzels, Ice, Nuts, Popcorn, Pizza Crust and Crusty Breads
During treatment, if a bracket or wire becomes loose, please call the office as soon as possible so it can be cemented or replaced.
If you have any questions, feel free to call the office.