Post-Op Instructions
Please select a topic below by clicking on the corresponding icon.
- Bitesplint Instructions
- Bonding Instructions
- Post-Operative Instructions -- Fillings
- Post-Surgical Instructions
BITESPLINT INSTRUCTIONS
- Your occlusal bitesplint serves to relieve muscle tension, decrease painful symptoms, protect your teeth, and maintain your teeth in position. The following information will aid you in its effective use.
- You should wear the bitesplint every night for 6 months. You may also wear the bitesplint during the day if you are noticing clenching or grinding while awake.
- During this period, you will begin to learn when you are clenching/grinding your teeth, and how often. After the 6 months period is over, you may begin wearing your bitesplint every other night, and gradually reduce it to once a week. If you notice symptoms returning such as teeth sensitivity, jaw soreness or headaches, you will need to wear it more often.
- At first, you may notice an increase in salivation while wearing your bitesplint.
- You may notice a change in your bite soon within a few days or weeks of wearing your bitesplint. This indicates your jaw moving back to its natural position. Sometimes an occlusal adjustment needs to be done if this occurs, so alert the doctor at your follow up visit if this is the case.
- When positioned each time, the bitesplint may feel somewhat tight for a few moments, however, if certain teeth are sore for more than a few moments after removing bitesplint or seem loose, consult the dentist.
- Initial adjustments are almost always necessary, and future adjustments needed will depend on the nature, complexity, and severity of your individual case.
- If you move or discontinue treatment, do not continue to wear the bitesplint without consulting a dentist.
- If you have any questions or problems concerning your bitesplint, contact the office.
BONDING INSTRUCTIONS
- Do not chew ice, bite your fingernails, chew on pencils or anything else that will cause undue stress on your teeth
- Brush and floss as directed
- Have your teeth cleaned and monitored at least twice a year. Make sure the hygienist knows about your bonding and avoids using the ultrasonic cleaner on those teeth
- Make sure you wear your bitesplint if one has been made for you
- If your bite does not seem right, return to the dentist for an adjustment
- Do not pick at the bonding with your fingernails or a toothpick
- Be careful eating with your newly bonded teeth, especially at first. To prevent fracture, avoid using the bonded teeth to directly bite into hard, sticky or chewy foods including ribs, candy, apples, carrots, nuts, hard rolls & bread, bagels, etc.
- To prevent staining avoid, or keep to a minimum coffee, tea, red wine, soy sauce, colas, grape juice, blueberries, cherries, and other foods known to cause staining. Do not smoke!
POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS -- FILLINGS
- Do not eat on the side of the mouth that you have a filling until the next day.
- Be careful eating until the anesthetic wears off, which is usually 2-4 hours.
- You may experience some degree of hot and/or cold sensitivity, which may last a few days to a few months. This varies with the individual, and with the size of the filling. If the sensitivity gets progressively worse, or if the tooth is very sore upon biting, contact the office.
- Occasionally, especially with deep cavities, the tooth may not respond well to a filling, and may become more sensitive as time goes on, and may even abscess. This can happen soon after a filling is done, or sometimes after months or years.
- You may take a non-prescription pain reliever for any sensitivity. Follow the directions on the label.
- If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the office, and we will be more than happy to help you.
POST-SURGICAL INSTRUCTIONS
Discomfort, Swelling, Bleeding, Heat and Cold
Bite on gauze for 30 minutes. You may change gauze as necessary with clean damp gauze. Swallow saliva that builds up. Do not spit. You may expect some minor bleeding, swelling and soreness. If bleeding starts up again, bite on gauze for 30 more minutes. If you do not have gauze, a tea bag is an excellent substitute. Your dentist will discuss the appropriate pain medication for you. If pain relief is not adequate, please contact the office. Cold packs may be used on the facial area nearest the surgery for the first 24 hours to hold down the swelling. Apply this for 20 minutes out of each hour. After 24 hours, moist heat may be used on the area for comfort.
Diet
Maintain a balanced diet, but eat soft foods such as soup, jello, and mashed potatoes. Avoid hard, chewy foods, or anything that is very hot or cold. Also avoid acidic highly seasoned foods and alcohol. Gradually return to your normal diet as the area feels better.
Activities
It is normal to feel tired after surgery. You may return to work, but do not do any strenuous physical activity for 3 days, and follow a more relaxed physical regimen for 1 week.
Antibiotics
If antibiotics have been prescribed for you, take them to completion. Phone the doctor if you experience any unusual reactions to the medication.
Women
Please remember that antibiotics may interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, so pleas take the appropriate precautions.
Oral Hygiene
Do not brush the area of the extraction site for 24 hours. You may begin carefully brushing and flossing after this time. After 24 hours begin gently rinsing with a warm salt water solution (1/4 tsp. Salt per cup of water.) Do this in the morning, before bed, and after every meal.
General Care of Extraction Site
Do not smoke, spit, rinse vigorously, drink through a straw, drink carbonated beverages or do anything else that might cause a suction effect in your mouth. This may dislodge the blood clot that has formed on the extraction site, and may lead to a condition known as ‘dry socket.’
Some swelling is normal for the first 72 hours, however, if any signs or symptoms of infection or inflammation occur, such as fever or a rapidly increasing swelling, or if pain increases in the area of the extraction, please contact the doctor. If doctor is unavailable please call a hospital emergency room.