501-758-5006
office@fullmoonsmiles.com
Existing Patients FYI
After Extraction Instructions
Bite firmly on gauze for 20-30 minutes. When you are no longer bleeding you do not need any more gauze. Replace gauze every 30 minutes until bleeding stops. When placing fresh gauze, moisten the gauze before placing over extraction socket. If bleeding persists for 2-3 hours, bite firmly on a wet black tea bag. Return for evaluation if still bleeding after 12 hours.
For pain I recommend taking an extra strength Tylenol every 6 hours, alternated with 600mg (three regular strength tabs) of ibuprofen. If you are prescribed narcotics do not double doses; this will cause liver damage. For additional pain control with narcotics, you may take up to 800mg (four regular strength tabs) of ibuprofen every 6 hours. Do not take any Tylenol (acetaminophen) with prescribed narcotics.
No antibiotics will be prescribed for the average patient. Call the office ASAP or visit the emergency room if you begin to run a fever or experience severe swelling.
If the blood clot falls out of the extraction socket, this is called a dry socket. The exposed bone hurts and the lack of proper healing may cause a bad taste and/or smell. If your pain is not improving or worsening at any point past 3 days post-extraction, return for evaluation.
Preventing dry socket: moisten gauze before replacing. Be gentle for 1 week. Avoid anything that could pull or rinse out blood clot: sucking, smoking, swishing, spitting. Avoid anything fizzy, hot, or cold. If you are going to smoke, place moistened gauze over extraction site and smoke out of the opposite side of the mouth.
After 24 hours begin warm salt rinses 2-3x per day with ¼ teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of water. This will decrease pain/swelling and increase healing. Rinse very gently and do not spit; let the water dribble out of your mouth. Do not add more salt; it will irritate your gums. Do not use regular mouthwash for a week.
Sutures (stitches) will dissolve within 3-5 days. It is only necessary for the suture to be in for 24 hours post-extraction. Feel free to remove any loose or hanging pieces of sutures yourself.
During and after healing, it is very common for bone spurs to be felt in the gums. Most bone spurs are small enough to come out of the gums on their own. Some bone spurs are larger and need be removed in the dental office. These are not pieces of tooth. All of your tooth has been removed during the extraction unless informed otherwise.
If your sinus has been exposed, you will be informed. Take over-the-counter decongestant for 1 week and prescribed antibiotics as directed. Do not stifle your sneezes or blow your nose for 1 week. Return for evaluation if you experience persistent nasal-oral dripping.
Denture Care
- Daily Cleaning
What you need:
● soft -bristle toothbrush, denture brush, or washcloth
● Soap (preferably free of fragrance and dye)
What you do: Clean dentures to remove all food and glue residue. Do not use toothpaste because the abrasives will scratch the denture.
- Weekly cleaning: Soak your denture in a denture cleanser overnight
- Storage: Keep your denture in a cool, wet environment. Water is necessary to prevent acrylic from drying and warping. Place away from reach of children or pets.
Do not:
● Boil or soak your in hot water. This warps the dentures.
● Disinfect with bleach. This will irritate your gums..
● Store in direct sunlight. This will fade your dentures.
● Leave glue or food residue for long periods. This prevents irritation and infection.
Do:
● Brush/scrape your tongue with a toothbrush or scraper daily. Stinky bacteria live here.
● Check your gums for signs of redness regularly. If irritation develops, leave your dentures out for a day to give the gums time to heal. If problem areas do not improve with consistent wear, visit your dentist for an adjustment
Adjusting to New Dentures
Eating: Start with soft foods to reduce pressure on your gums. Easy-to-chew foods will help you learn the best positions and movements to chew. Increased salivation is normal.
Speaking: Practice makes perfect. Your tongue needs to get used to the amount of material in your mouth. Talking to yourself and reading out loud are good ways to improve.
Gagging: The very back of the denture against the roof of your mouth is important for optimal suction. Unfortunately, this area is often the hardest part to tolerate due to stimulation of the gag reflex. Be persistent and optimistic that you will become desensitized with practice and time. Ask your dentist to thin and/or shorten this area if you are having difficulty acclimating.
Glue: Even with a well-made denture, glue may be required to achieve a satisfactory stick, especially with 1. bottom full-dentures or 2. partial-dentures replacing several back teeth. Fixodent or Polygrip is recommended for new dentures. Glue may increase comfort by minimizing denture shifting and providing a softer surface against your gums.
Pain: Denture tightness increases long-term stability and retention but causes short-term discomfort as your gums adjust to the increased pressure and friction. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water (¼ teaspoon 1 cup water) to promote healing and ease discomfort.
Adjustments: Wear your denture as much as possible for a few days and then return to your dentist for adjustments as often as needed. Oftentimes the smallest change can make the biggest difference.
Be patient. It takes time to adjust to wearing dentures. Don't get discouraged if you don't feel comfortable right away. Just keep practicing and using your dentures as often as possible; eventually you’ll become a pro. The more you wear them, the faster you will adjust to them.
Oral Care After Deep Cleaning (SRP)
● Avoid eating until numbness has worn off to prevent tongue/cheek biting
● Eat soft foods until soreness has subsided
● Moderate discomfort and swelling is normal. 600mg of Ibuprofen can be alternated with 500mg of Tylenol every 3 hours to control pain and swelling. Do not take more than 3200mg of ibuprofen or 4000mg of tylenol per/day.
● Rinse your mouth after eating and before bed with either prescription mouthwash or warm salt water (¼ teaspoon salt per 1 cup of water) for the first 3 days. Continue rinsing with prescription mouthwash every 12 hours for an additional 2 weeks.
● Perform consistent and thorough oral hygiene. Preventing plaque build up under your gums during the first week after deep cleaning is essential to the success of this treatment.
● Return for evaluation. Your follow-up appointment after your deep cleaning will help us determine if the treatment is working as expected. The hygienist will re-record your pocket depths and polish your teeth. If any areas need additional interventions or close monitoring, these will be noted and discussed.
● Return for regular cleanings. Most patients who have had a deep cleaning in their lifetime are recommended to have maintenance cleanings 3x a year to prevent build-up and disease progression. This is not optional. It is essential for the long-term success of your treatment. If you skip several maintenance cleanings, you will most likely need another expensive deep cleaning upon return to the dental office.
Oral Care after Arestin Application
● Avoid hard, crunchy, sticky foods in treated areas for 1 week.
● Postpone the use of interproximal cleaning devices (i.e, floss, waterpik, plaquers, toothpicks, etc.) around the treated sites for 10 days after administration of Arestin
● Moderate sensitivity is expected during the first week. Notify the dentist if swelling, itching, rash, papules, reddening, difficulty breathing, or severe pain occur.