Post-Operative Instructions

Post-Op Instructions

In addition to the above instructions, it is essential to remember a few additional points if you have received a graft within the socket site after we removed your tooth.

The bone graft is made up of many fine particles. You may find some small granules in your mouth for the first several days. Do not be alarmed by the presence of these small granules. It is entirely normal for some granules to become dislodged from the graft site, but there are some things you can do to minimize the number of granules that become dislodged:

• Do not rinse vigorously or spit for the first 3 to 5 days. Do not apply pressure with your tongue or fingers to the grafted area. The material is movable during the initial phases of healing, and it is best to leave the site undisturbed as much as possible. Do not lift or pull your lip back to look at the sutures. This pulling or stretching can damage the wound, tear sutures and decrease the success of the graft. If you have been told that you have received external silk sutures, we must remove them. These sutures may or may not be resorbable. Sometimes your dentist may even place a barrier for the graft, which may not be resorbable and may have to be removed.

On the first day, it is best to settle the area and allow the blood clot to stabilize the graft material. Therefore, do not even rinse your mouth the first day. After the first day, you may begin gentle rinsing with warm salt water, but avoid rinsing vigorously and avoid forced spitting.

Immediate or Transitional Dentures

These dentures are delivered as soon as the remaining non-restorable teeth are removed. They serve as a bandage to the sockets and help control the bleeding. For the next 24 hours, do not remove the dentures from your mouth. Apply firm pressure by biting on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes following the appointment. You may have to repeat this several times. Apply cold pack externally to control bleeding and swelling. Your immediate dentures will contain the swelling. Take the prescribed pain medication and antibiotics. Do not rinse your mouth vigorously. Restrict your diet to soft and cold foods. It is normal to see your pillow stained with blood. Do not panic. The following morning gently rinses your mouth.

Pain and sensitivity following teeth whitening are common. You may be sensitive to cold air & fluids; however, the pain will fade within 24-36 hours.

It is essential not to consume any colorants in the first 24- hours following the procedure. Anything that colors such as red wine, dark colas, coffee, tea, red sauces, soya sauces, and smoking must be avoided.

Following the whitening procedure, instant lightening is usually seen in most cases. However, a rebound is not uncommon. Rebound means that your teeth may have returned to the color after about two years prior to bleaching. On average, during the first month, there may be a loss of one shade unit, another shade unit during the next six months, and another shade unit during the subsequent six months. Everyone responds differently, so your rebound effect may be less or greater than the above averages.

• Careful diet control avoiding high colorants,
• Meticulous oral hygiene,
• Using a whitening toothpaste
• Using home bleaching trays,
• An annual repeat of the in-house teeth whitening.