BrightCraft Dental Post-Op Instructions for Dental Procedures

Eating After Fillings

1. Wait for Numbness to Subside: If you received anesthesia, avoid eating until the numbness subsides to prevent accidentally biting your cheek, lip, or tongue.
2. Immediate Use: Composite fillings are set immediately after placement, so once the numbness wears off, you can resume chewing as usual.

Tooth Sensitivity

1. Cold, Heat, and Pressure Sensitivity: It's normal to experience some sensitivity to cold, hot, and pressure after the procedure. This sensitivity should decrease within a few days to weeks.
2. Deeper Restorations: Deeper fillings might increase sensitivity, but this should gradually improve. If sensitivity worsens, contact our office.

Gum Discomfort and Soreness

1. Irritated Gums: The gum tissue around the filling and the anesthetic site may be sore for a few days. Rinsing with warm salt water and taking over-the-counter pain relievers can help alleviate discomfort.
2. Jaw Soreness: If you had multiple fillings, your jaw might be sore from keeping your mouth open. This should improve within 2-5 days.

Bite Adjustment

1. New Texture and Contour: Your new filling might have a slightly different texture and contour than the original tooth. Your tongue may notice this, but you'll adjust in a few days.
2. Uneven Bite: If your bite feels uneven after the anesthesia wears off, contact our office for an adjustment. A high filling can lead to sensitivity, tenderness, or headaches.

Smoking After Fillings

1. Avoid While Numb: Never smoke while any part of your mouth is still numb. Wait until full feeling returns to avoid burns or injuries.
2. Delay Smoking: Research shows that smoking after dental work can impact filling success. Wait until you have fully healed before smoking.

Home Care

1. Maintain Oral Hygiene: While the filling is durable, your tooth is still susceptible to decay. Resume regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits to ensure the longevity of your restoration.

Temporary Crowns and Bridges

1. Temporary's Role: Your temporary crown or bridge is crucial for protecting your tooth/teeth and maintaining space for permanent restoration.
2. Oral Hygiene: Keep your gum tissue healthy by maintaining proper oral hygiene. Brush and floss daily, but when flossing, gently pull the floss from the side to prevent dislodging the temporary.
3. Lost Temporary: If your temporary comes off, contact us immediately. Do not try to re-cement it yourself. Using denture adhesive or toothpaste temporarily is acceptable until we can re-cement it.

Permanent Crowns and Bridges

1. Decay Prevention: Remember, porcelain restorations do not decay, but the underlying teeth do. Clean thoroughly around the restoration's edges to prevent plaque buildup and potential decay.
2. Under Pontic Cleaning: For fixed bridges, use a bridge threader (available at most pharmacies) to clean under the "false tooth." Feel free to ask us for a demonstration on proper use.
3. Chewing Habits: Alter your chewing habits to protect temporary crowns or bridges. Avoid chewing hard or sticky foods on them, and chew on the opposite side if possible.

Post-Permanent Restoration Placement

1. Slight Pressure and Sensitivity: After your permanent restoration is placed, you might feel a little pressure and sensitivity to hot or cold for a few days. This is normal and should subside.
2. Uneven Bite: If your bite feels uneven or you experience discomfort while chewing, contact our office promptly. Delaying adjustments could harm the tooth permanently.
3. Increasing Sensitivity: If sensitivity worsens or doesn't lessen after several weeks, contact our office for guidance.

Maintaining Your Oral Health

1. Diligent Daily Care: Maintain a consistent daily oral care routine to ensure the longevity of your permanent crowns or bridges.
2. Decay Prevention: Pay special attention to cleaning around the edges of the restoration to prevent decay.

Immediate Aftercare

1. Moderate Pain and Sensitivity: It's normal to experience moderate pain and sensitivity to pressure on the treated tooth. You might also feel gum soreness for a few days. This discomfort should gradually subside as you heal.
2. Medications: Take any prescribed medication according to the provided instructions.
3. Temporary Filling: If a temporary filling was placed, avoid biting on the treated tooth for an hour while still numb. Be gentle with the tooth until the permanent restoration is placed.
4. Chewing: Use the opposite side of your mouth as much as possible.
5. Oral Hygiene: Maintain your regular brushing and flossing routine.

Follow-Up and Permanent Restoration

1. Placement of Permanent Restoration: Follow up with the placement of your permanent restoration as advised. Delaying this step could lead to permanent tooth damage.
2. Post-Root Canal Sensations: It's normal for the treated tooth to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time.

Contact Us

1. Severe Pain or Pressure: If severe pain or pressure lasts more than a few days, contact our clinic immediately.
2. Swelling: If you notice visible swelling inside or outside your mouth.
3. Uneven Bite: Inform us if your bite feels uneven.
4. Loss of Temporary Crown or Filling: If the temporary crown or filling comes out (losing a thin layer is normal).

Long-Term Care

1. Full-Coverage Restoration: A proper, full-coverage restoration, such as a crown, is essential for the long-term success of the treated tooth.
2. Oral Hygiene: Practice good oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing, routine checkups, and cleanings.

Monitoring and Further Treatment

1. Ongoing Monitoring: We will monitor the healing of your tooth during subsequent checkups.
2. Possible Future Treatment: In some cases, the tooth might become painful or diseased again. If this occurs, further endodontic treatment may be required to save the tooth

Immediate Aftercare

1. Tenderness or Discomfort: You may experience tenderness or discomfort. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help.
2. Eating: Avoid eating in the treated area for two hours or until the anesthetic completely wears off to prevent accidentally biting or burning your cheek, tongue, or lip while numb.
3. Avoid Hard Foods: Refrain from hard foods like tortilla chips, potato chips, popcorn, or seeds for the next few days.

Rinsing and Home Care

1. Warm Salt Water Rinses: Rinse your mouth 2-3 times daily with warm salt water. If prescribed Peridex/Chlorhexidine, use as directed.
2. Brushing and Flossing: Resume your regular home care routine of brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and daily flossing. Be gentle in the treated area.

Sensitivity and Discomfort

1. Tooth Sensitivity: Teeth may be sensitive to hot, cold, or sweets as gum tissue heals and shrinks. This is normal and should gradually resolve in a few weeks.
2. Alleviating Sensitivity: Brushing with sensitivity toothpaste or using fluoride rinses may help. Avoid "whitening" or baking soda toothpastes.
3. Smoking: Refrain from smoking for 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, as tobacco delays tissue healing.

Immediate Aftercare

1. Bite on Gauze Pads: Bite down firmly on the gauze pads over each surgical site to control bleeding. Change gauze pads at home if needed, leaving them in place for 30 minutes.
2. Numbness: Due to anesthesia, you may experience numbness in your lips, cheeks, and/or tongue. Be cautious to avoid biting these areas.
3. Ice Packs: Apply ice packs to your face for the first 48 hours to reduce swelling.
4. Pain Medication: Take prescribed pain medication as soon as possible, following your surgeon's instructions.
5. Rest: Get plenty of rest on the day of surgery.

Bleeding

1. Use Gauze: If bleeding continues at home, use a folded piece of gauze or moist teabag to apply gentle pressure on the surgical site for 20-30 minutes.
2. Avoid Rinsing and Straws: Do not rinse your mouth or use straws for the next 24 hours.
3. No Smoking or Alcohol: Avoid smoking for at least 3 days after surgery and alcohol consumption for the next 24 hours.
4. Avoid Strenuous Activities: Refrain from strenuous activities for the next 3 days.

Swelling

1. Use Ice Packs: Apply ice packs to your cheeks for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off during the first 48 hours.
2. Elevate Head: Keep your head elevated for 48 hours to minimize swelling.
3. Heat Application: After 3 days, you can use moist heat to relieve swelling, bruising, and jaw stiffness.

Diet

1. Soft Diet: Stick to a soft diet for the first 2-3 days, including foods like soup, yogurt, milkshakes, and soft pasta.
2. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid using straws.
3. Avoid Hard Foods: Refrain from hard and crunchy foods that might disturb the surgical site.

Wound Care

1. Mouth Rinse: If prescribed, use a mouth rinse as directed after brushing.
2. Salt-Water Rinse: You can also rinse with a salt-water solution (1/2 tsp salt in 1 cup of water) several times daily.
3. Dissolving Sutures: Your sutures will dissolve naturally in 1-3 weeks. They may loosen as swelling decreases, which is normal.

Resuming Activities

1. Recovery Time: Most patients take 1-2 days off from normal activities.
2. Strenuous Activities: Avoid strenuous activities for 2 weeks post-surgery.

Brushing & Rinsing

1. Brushing: You can brush your teeth but avoid the surgical site for at least 5 days.
2. Rinsing: Do not rinse or spit the day of surgery to avoid prolonging bleeding.

Follow-Up

1. No Routine Follow-Up: Generally, routine extractions do not require follow-up unless specified.

Immediate Aftercare

1. Expect Discomfort: Anticipate pain, swelling, and bleeding post-surgery.
2. Normal Effects: Temporary loss of sensation and slight tooth mobility are typical.
3. Medication: Follow prescribed medication instructions.
4. Managing Swelling: Apply ice bag to the surgical area, 10 minutes on, 5 minutes off, on surgery day.
5. Avoid Lip Manipulation: Refrain from lifting lips with fingers to examine the surgical area.

Oral Hygiene

1. Brushing: Do not brush the surgical site; continue brushing other areas.

Next Appointment

1. Scheduled Follow-Up: Keep your appointment for suture removal and check-up.

Smoking, Spitting, and Straws

1. Avoid the Following: Do not smoke, spit, or use straws on surgery day; also avoid smoking for a few days post-surgery.

Immediate Aftercare

1. Pressure and Discomfort: Expect some pressure and discomfort on your teeth after the placement of the braces.
2. Chewing: Be gentle with braces and avoid chewing hard or sticky foods to prevent damage.
3. Oral Hygiene: Brushing and flossing around braces is essential, even though it may be time-consuming. Take the time to clean your teeth and braces thoroughly.
4. Irritation: Check for wire ends that may poke or irritate your mouth. Use provided wax to minimize irritation.

Mouth and Teeth Sensitivity

1. Soreness: Your mouth and teeth may be sore for about a week. Rinse with cold water, take over-the-counter pain relievers, or use a topical numbing gel for relief.

Diet

1. Soft Foods: Stick to soft foods for the first few days until you're accustomed to braces.
2. Avoid Damaging Foods: Throughout treatment, avoid hard, chewy, or sticky foods that could damage brackets. Ask for a list of foods to avoid from your doctor.
3. No Chewing on Hard Objects: Refrain from chewing on hard items like ice cubes or pencils to prevent braces damage.

Oral Hygiene

1. Daily Care: Maintain diligent oral care after every meal. Brush and floss around braces to dislodge food and prevent plaque buildup and decay.
2. Cleaning Aids: Use any recommended cleaning aids demonstrated by your doctor.

Emergencies and Issues

1. Severe Pain: If you experience severe pain, loose brackets/bands, or a broken wire, contact your doctor's office for assistance.

Immediate Aftercare

1. Discomfort and Bleeding: Expect some discomfort and bleeding on the day of surgery.
2. Medication: Take prescribed medication as directed.
3. Ice Bag: Apply an ice bag to the surgical site for 10 minutes on and 5 minutes off on the surgery day.
4. Avoid Lip Manipulation: Refrain from raising your lips to inspect the area.
5. Temporary Loss of Feeling: Temporary loss of feeling and slight tooth mobility are common.
6. No Smoking, Spitting, or Straw: Avoid smoking, spitting, or using straws on surgery day (also avoid smoking for a few days after surgery).

Blood Clot Protection

1. Normal Bleeding: Expect bleeding; gently apply pressure with cold packs.
2. Gauze for Denture Wearers: If removable denture is worn, use gauze and bite down.
3. Pause Bleeding: If no active bleeding, omit gauze.
4. Positioning: Keep head above heart; avoid bending over.

Oral Hygiene

1. Brushing Caution: Avoid brushing near the surgical site; brush other teeth normally.
2. Gentle Brushing: Start gentle brushing on day 2; avoid fixed dentures on implant site for 3 weeks.
   • Day 1: No rinsing or brushing.
   • Days 2-3: Gently brush; rinse with warm salt water after meals.
   • Days 4-42 (6 weeks): Maintain brushing and rinsing routine.

Swelling / Fever / Bruising

1. Swelling Control: Use cold packs to manage swelling; contact the office if severe swelling or fever occurs.
2. Bruising or Swelling: Swelling and bruising can last 2-3 weeks.

Pain

1. Pain Management: Take prescribed pain medication as directed.

Diet

1. Initial Diet: Avoid hot liquids for 24 hours; start with cool fluids; skip straws.
2. Advance Gradually: Transition to soft foods as numbness subsides; avoid chewing in the surgery area.
3. Soft Diet for Weeks: Follow a soft food diet for 4 weeks; consider a cool pureed diet on day 1.

Sharp Bony Edges

1. Handling Hard Areas: Do not scratch or pick hard areas; inform staff during check-up.

Activity

1. Rest and Resumption: Rest for 3-4 days; gradually resume activity as comfort allows after 4 days.

Denture Delivery

1. Initial Discomfort: Expect discomfort for a few days; adjustments are common.
2. Nighttime Removal: Take out dentures at night; soak in water or cleaning solution.
3. Cleaning: Brush dentures before reinserting; maintain hygiene.
4. Speech Practice: Practice reading aloud daily to adapt to new dentures.

Denture Placement after Extractions

1. Denture Seating: Bite down gently to keep dentures in place.
2. Rest and Minimal Talking: Rest, minimize talking, and bite down.
3. No Denture Removal: Keep dentures in until seen by dentist/surgeon.
4. Cold Packs: Use cold packs on surgical areas for the day.

Bleeding

1. Expected Bleeding: Some oozing for 24–72 hours, especially if on blood thinners.
2. Change Gauze: Change gauze pads every 30 mins; close dentures to stop bleeding.

Denture Removal

1. Professional Removal: Only dentist/denturist should remove dentures within the first week.

Mouth Rinse

1. Day After Surgery: Rinse with slightly salty water to dislodge food.
2. 3-4 Times Daily: Rinse extraction sites/stitches after denture removal.

Swelling and Discomfort

1. Normal Swelling: Swelling and bruising are expected and temporary.
2. Normal Discomfort: Expect discomfort for 2–6 days; adjust to new denture.
3. Tender Sores: Adjustments may be needed for tender areas.

Medication

1. Follow Directions: Take prescribed meds as directed.

Sutures

1. Dissolving Sutures: Sutures will dissolve or may be gently removed at our office.

Smoking and Alcohol

1. No Smoking/Alcohol: Avoid smoking and alcohol for 48 hours after surgery.

Diet

1. Fluid Intake: Start with clear fluids; progress to soup, juice, milk products.
2. Change in Eating: Allow teeth to come together before taking food; chew slowly.
3. Advance Diet: Gradually introduce softer foods.
4. Avoid Straws: Avoid straws initially due to suction causing bleeding.

Immediate Aftercare

1. Sutures: Expect sutures at surgical site. These may be resorbable or require removal. Avoid pulling lips/cheeks; pressure can disrupt sutures.
2. Bone Graft Site: Area has 15% more bone; avoid unnecessary lip/cheek movement.
3. Suture Duration: Sutures remain for 2-3 weeks based on graft size, condition.

Periodontal Pack (If Used)

1. Leave Intact: Keep pack as long as possible; doctor removes at 1-week follow-up.
2. Packing Replacement: Pack may be replaced if needed; minimum 7-10 days.
3. Losing Pack: Visit if pack falls off before 1-week follow-up.

Oral Hygiene and Healing

1. Brushing: Avoid periodontal pack area while brushing.
2. No Astringents: Refrain from using mouthwash or antiseptic solutions; risk contamination.
3. Saline Solution: After initial healing, use provided saline solution for cleaning.

Diet and Healing

1. Diet: Opt for smaller, cooler, non-sticky foods; avoid hot foods.
2. Smoking: Stop smoking for 7-10 days; aids initial tissue closure.
3. Healing Duration: Complete wound healing takes at least 21 days, longer with underlying conditions.

Outcomes and Risks

1. Outcome Realism: Understand that outcomes may not be perfect.
2. Redo Possibility: Rarely, surgery might need to be redone; this is usually not the doctor's or patient's fault.