Ensure a Smooth Recovery
Trusted Knowledge For a Smooth Recovery
Our team understands that proper dental aftercare is essential for a smooth recovery following any procedure. This is why our office in Cortland, NY, takes the time to provide you with personalized post-operative instructions tailored to your specific needs, ensuring you feel supported every step of the way. From managing discomfort to understanding dietary adjustments, we’ll guide you through essential practices to promote healing, manage discomfort, and prevent complications. At Cortland Dental, we believe that effective dental aftercare not only enhances your recovery, but also strengthens the trust you place in us as your dental care provider.
Post-Operative Care Instructions
Tooth Extraction
After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That’s why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 45 minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing persists, insert another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times
- Do not rinse or spit for 24 hours after surgery.
- Keep your fingers and tongue away from the socket or surgical area.
- Use ice packs on the surgical area (side of face) for the first 48 hours; apply ice 20 minutes on and 10 minutes off. (Note: Bags of frozen peas work well.)
- For mild discomfort, take Tylenol® or ibuprofen every 3–4 hours.
- For severe pain, use the medication prescribed to you.
- Drink plenty of fluids. (Do not use a straw—this creates suction in the mouth that could cause complications.)
- We suggest that you do not smoke for at least five days after surgery.
- Avoid strenuous activity and do not exercise for at least three to four days after surgery. After that, be careful: your regular caloric and fluid intake have been reduced, so you may get light-headed, dizzy, or weak.
- If the muscles of the jaw become stiff, apply warm, moist heat on the outside of your face over the spots that are stiff to relax these muscles.
- After the first post-operative day, use a warm salt water rinse following meals for the first week to flush out particles of food and debris that may lodge in the surgical area. (Mix ½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Mouthwash can be added for better taste.)
- Your diet should consist mainly of soft, easily swallowed foods and cool drinks. Avoid anything that might get stuck in your teeth; so no seeds, nuts, rice, popcorn, or similar foods.
- Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions/concerns you may have. You may call us at 607-753-9361. Thank you.
Permanent Crown
Oral hygiene
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Floss once a day, threading the floss through at the gum line around the crown. Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash after brushing to remove food particles and plaque.
Avoid certain foods
- For the first 24 hours after getting a permanent crown, avoid hard, sticky foods like nuts, chips, caramel, celery, carrots, and popcorn while the cement sets. You can slowly reintroduce these foods into your diet after that. Also, avoid biting on ice, pens, or other objects.
Limit staining substances
- Coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco can discolor crowns over time, so try to limit your intake. The heat from smoking can also loosen the crown.
Protect against grinding
- If you grind or clench your teeth, ask your dentist about wearing a custom mouth guard.
Regular dental visits
- Get regular checkups and cleanings so your dentist can evaluate the condition of your teeth and perform any necessary maintenance.
Temporary Crown
Brushing and flossing
- Brush and floss gently at least three times a day, ideally after each meal. When flossing, use a gentle sliding motion instead of pulling up and down.
Eating
- Avoid hard, sticky, chewy, or crunchy foods, like nuts, caramel, apples, and chewing gum. You should also avoid sweet foods and drinks, which can cause decay between the crown and gumline. If you’re still hungry, try eating soft foods or chewing on the opposite side of your mouth from the crown. You can also try lukewarm or room temperature foods and beverages.
Temperature
- Avoid very hot or cold foods, as the temperatures can affect the dental cement and weaken the crown.
Other tips
- If you were given an anesthetic to place the crown, wait until the numbness wears off before chewing to avoid biting your cheek, tongue, or lip.
- You can also rinse your mouth with warm salt water three times a day to reduce swelling or bleeding.
- If the crown becomes dislodged, you should make an appointment to have it replaced as soon as possible.
Dentures
Give it time
- It can take a few days to weeks for your mouth to get used to dentures. Your tongue, gums, and facial muscles need time to adjust to having teeth again. You might feel like your mouth is crowded at first, but this should pass.
Wear them every day
- Even if they feel unnatural, try to wear your dentures all day. You can take them out every few hours to give your gums and jaw a break, but put them back in for the rest of the day. You can also keep them out while you sleep, but you should soak them in water or a denture cleanser to keep them hydrated.
Practice eating and talking
- Start with small bites of soft foods that are easy to chew. You can work your way up to more difficult foods like apples or red meat. When you’re ready to try tougher foods, cut them into small pieces so you can chew them with your back teeth. You can also try reading aloud to practice speaking with your dentures.
Take care of your dentures
- Brush them twice a day to remove plaque and prevent bad odors. You can also try using a denture adhesive or cream to help keep them in place and reduce discomfort.
Try facial exercises
- You can try smiling wide for 10 seconds several times a day, or practicing other expressions in the mirror. This can help you get used to your new appearance and give your facial muscles more work.
Visit your dentist
- Your dentist can readjust your dentures to help relieve discomfort. You can also consult with them if you’re experiencing minor irritation, soreness, or excessive saliva flow.
Caring For Dentures
Some tips for caring for dentures:
Cleaning
- Brush your dentures daily with a denture brush, mild soap and water, or denture paste. You can also soak them in a denture cleaner or diluted mouthwash for 30 minutes. Make sure to brush all surfaces, including the fit surface that touches your gums, and clean any nooks and crannies. Rinse thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth.
Removing
- Take out your dentures after eating and before bed, or for at least six hours a day. This gives your mouth a break and allows the tissues to recover. It also prevents your dentures from drying out and cracking or warping. When you take them out, remove any denture adhesive and place them in a bowl of water, diluted mouthwash, or denture cleaner overnight.
Handling
- Handle your dentures carefully, and don’t hold the lower dentures by the ends. Avoid hot water and harsh chemicals, and don’t try to adjust them with sandpaper or files.
Other tips
- Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth with a soft-bristled toothbrush every day. You can also occasionally use an ultrasonic cleaner.
With proper care, dentures can last up to seven years.
If you need more information about procedures and what to do after them, contact our office today at
LOCATION
Cortland Dental
4313 US-11
Cortland, NY 13045
CONTACT
HOURS
Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
REVIEWS