Aftercare Advice Following Treatment
White Filling / Inlay Treatment
- The effects of local anaesthetic should last for 3-4 hours. To avoid damage to your cheeks, tongue and lips avoid chewing and hot drinks until the numbness has worn off.
- It is normal to experience some sensitivity to heat, cold and pressure following this treatment. You may also have some soreness in your gums for a few days. Rinsing your mouth with warm salty mouthwash will alleviate any discomfort. Using Sensodyne Toothpaste™ may also help.
- White fillings and porcelain inlays set completely immediately after they are placed, so as soon as any numbness wears off you can eat normally.
- If your bite feels uneven or if you have any concerns about your new filling please give us a call at the practice.
Root Canal Therapy
For the first few days following your Root Canal Therapy, you may have some discomfort or sensitivity in your treated tooth, particularly if there was pain and infection prior to the treatment.
- If antibiotics have been given or prescribed for the infection, it is important that you take them for the full length of time indicated on the label, even if all signs of infection are gone.
- To control any discomfort, we recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain relief (e.g. Ibuprofen™) following the instructions on the packet.
- To further reduce any pain or swelling you can gently rinse three times a day with warm, salty water mouth rinses.
- It is important to complete the treatment for this tooth as it may require two or three visits. The long-term success of this treatment depends on a good filling or crown to seal up the top of the tooth so that bacteria cannot get back into the roots.
Crown or Bridge Preparation Aftercare Advice
A temporary dental crown/bridge is placed to protect your teeth and gums while a custom restoration is being created for you in a dental laboratory. This temporary will help prevent the adjacent teeth from shifting, ensuring that your final custom-crafted crown or bridge will fit perfectly.
- The temporary should be very comfortable, but you may need to alter your eating and oral hygiene habits to ensure it stays in place between appointments. A softer diet may be needed.
- This temporary material will be more prone to staining than natural teeth. You should avoid tea, coffee, red wine and curries.
- Avoid chewing gum and eating sticky or hard foods. This may loosen the temporary bridge/crown.
- Brush and floss carefully, pulling the floss out from the side so not to dislodge the temporary.
- It is vital for the good fit of your final restoration that your temporary bridge/crown stays in place. If for any reason it should come off please contact the surgery to have it replaced.
- The effects of local anaesthetic should last for 3 – 4 hours. To avoid damage to your cheeks, tongue and lips avoid chewing and taking any hot drinks until the numbness has worn off.
Note: You may experience some sensitivity to hot and cold, this is normal and will subside once the final restoration is fitted.
New Cosmetic Dentures
Now you have your new cosmetic dentures, they will require an initial adjustment phase. The following tips and advice should help make this transition period as simple as possible.
- Avoid any excessive pressure onto the cosmetic dentures. This is very important. You should eat soft nutritious food for the first 2 weeks. Avoid hard sticky foods.
- Begin by wearing your cosmetic dentures for a few hours a day.
- As you get used to wearing your cosmetic dentures slowly increase the time you wear them. If your mouth gets sore take them out and let your mouth relax. Using a warm salty water mouth rinse should help relieve any soreness.
- Continue to increase the time you wear them, this way your mouth will get used to them. As you feel more comfortable, you can vary your diet more. This way eating will be more enjoyable.
- Clean the cosmetic dentures with a toothbrush, ordinary soap and water. Any red or inflamed areas in your mouth can be brushed with Corsodyl Gel™. Only use a Steradent™ tablet occasionally to clean your denture.
- If the cosmetic denture continues to be sore anywhere, return to your dentist to have them adjusted accordingly.
- Regular check-up appointments are still important to ensure the health of your gums.
Periodontal of Gum Disease Treatment
The following information has been prepared to help answer any questions you may have.
- The effect of local anaesthetic normally lasts for 3 – 4 hours. When this wears off, you may have some discomfort. Painkillers will help to relieve your symptoms. To avoid damage to your cheeks, tongue and lips you should avoid chewing and hot drinks until the numbness has worn off.
- There may be some blood in your saliva for the first 4 -5 hours following the treatment. This is normal and will subside.
- We recommend you use Corsodyl Mouthwash™ twice a day for the first week, and then once a day for the second week. Warm, salty water mouth rinsing also helps in the first few days after gum disease treatment.
- Gentle brushing is advised around the treated area. It is important to have a very thorough cleaning regime after gum treatment as plaque build up will deteriorate the gum condition. The use of floss and interdental brushes is also recommended for between the teeth.
- You are advised not to smoke as this precipitates gum disease and slows down the healing process.
- Gum disease treatment should not interfere with any of your normal day to day activities.
