Patient Information

Used to fill in the pits and fissures of groovy teeth, sealants keep out plaque and food while decreasing staining of the rear adult molars, thus decreasing the risk of decay. Since the sealant only covers the biting surface of the tooth, areas on the side and between teeth cannot be coated with the sealant. Flossing is the only means capable of preventing cavities in between the teeth. Good oral hygiene, flossing and nutrition are all EQUALLY important in preventing dental decay.

**The American Dental Association recognizes that sealants can play an important role in the prevention of tooth decay. When properly applied and maintained, they can successfully protect the chewing surfaces of your child’s teeth against dental decay. A total prevention program includes: regular visits to the dentist, the use of topical fluoride (like in your toothpaste or the ACT fluoride rinse), daily brushing and flossing, and limiting the amount of sugary foods eaten on a daily basis.

If these measures are followed, in conjunction with sealants used on the child’s teeth, the risk of decay can be significantly reduced, or possibly even eliminated!

You have just received your new silver (Amalgam) filling. Here is some important post operative information that applies to this time tested restoration. If we used a local anesthetic to numb the area we treated, this numbness in your lips, teeth and tongue might last for several hours after the procedure. To avoid damage to your tongue and lips, you should avoid any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off.

With silver fillings, you should not chew hard or sticky foods or chew directly on the new fillings for the first 24 hours. If possible, chew only on the opposite side of your mouth. New silver fillings can be sensitive to hot and cold liquids and other foods.

If the sensitivity should continue for longer than two weeks or if the discomfort is extreme, please give us a call so that we can evaluate the situation and prescribe the appropriate therapy. Your gums may also be sore after your appointment.

Sometimes, due to the effects of the local anesthesia, it is quite difficult to make sure that your bite is exactly right. If you feel any discomfort in chewing, please let us know. A minor adjustment is usually all it takes to make you comfortable. Don’t wait too long! Teeth can become quite sensitive if the bite is “high”. You can generate in excess of 40,000 pounds per square inch when chewing on your back teeth. Fillings which have not had the appropriate amount of time to harden, or are “high”, cannot stand this kind of pressure and may break. If you have any questions please feel free to call us at any time. 

During your appointment today, one or more of your teeth was prepared for a crown or bridge. A temporary crown was fabricated for each prepared tooth. Temporary crowns are cemented with a temporary dental cement to allow for easy removal at your next appointment.

Until your next appointment:
Whenever anesthesia is used, avoid chewing on your teeth until the numbness has worn off.

You may experience sensitivity to temperature and pressure, gum soreness and slight discomfort on the tooth/teeth; it should subside after the placement of permanent crown.

Avoid hard or sticky foods that may dislodge temporary crowns, such as:

• Hard chewy breads such as bagels or French bread.
• Chewy candies such as taffy, caramels or gum.
• Hard crunchy foods such as corn nuts or popcorn kernels
• Do not bite into foods such as corn on the cob or apples.

 If a temporary crown becomes loose or comes off, try to place it back onto the tooth and call the office at your convenience to get the crown re-cemented. Denture adhesive can be used to hold the temporary crown in position.

Rinse your mouth with Listerine Mouthwash or warm salt water to minimize inflammation of the gum tissue.

Acrylic temporaries attract more bacterial plaque than natural teeth; therefore it is important to brush normally, at least three times a day. Floss at least once a day, but floss carefully and don’t pull up on the floss which may dislodge the temporary. Pull the floss out from the side of the temporary crown.

You may experience sensitivity to hot or cold foods or beverages after treatment.

Mild to moderate discomfort after dental work is common. An over-the-counter pain reliever/anti-inflammatory is recommended for patients who are able to tolerate them. (Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, etc.) If discomfort increases, please call the office.

***If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call your doctor. 

• Most new dentures require an adjustment period. This period will require the patient and the dentist to work together for the best result for you and your dentures.
• Start slowly with a new denture. Eat easier softer foods first before attempting to chew more challenging foods. Also, practice speaking with your new teeth. Even if your new dentures are very similar to a previous set, there will differences that will require you to learn to eat and speak all over again.
• Dentures will not fit as well as they can initially. It generally takes several days for a new set of dentures to settle into the tissue of the mouth.
• After several days of trial wear with a new set, you will generally be instructed to return to your dentist for a check. Adjustments can then be made based on your experiences. Any soreness of the gums, looseness, difficulties with chewing, or difficulties in speech can be evaluated. Your dentist can than make necessary adjustments or give you suggestions for dealing with any concerns that you have.
• The most important way of caring for your dentures is to clean them at least once a day inside and out! You can use a soft tooth brush or special denture brush. Occasional soaking in a denture cleansing solution can also be helpful. Generally, soaking on a weekly basis followed by a thorough brushing will be adequate.
• Take care not to drop your dentures when cleaning them. It is helpful to clean your dentures over a washcloth or over a sink full of water to prevent breaking the denture if dropped.
• Dentures require regular professional care. We suggest that all denture patients have their dentures and gum tissue checked on a yearly basis. This assures that any problems are identified and corrected before damage is done to the mouth. Adjustments and relines can be made to dentures that will keep them working well and fitting well longer than if no preventive care is taken.
• Most often, it is best to sleep with dentures out of the mouth. This gives the tissues of the mouth a rest too.
• If you have existing dentures and have any questions about the fit or appearance of your teeth, call the office for an evaluation appointment today at 320-693-8131.

You have just received your new white (composite or resin) filling. Here is some important post operative information. If we used a local anesthetic to numb the area we treated, this numbness in your lips, teeth and tongue might last for several hours after the procedure. To avoid damage to your tongue and lips, you should avoid any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off.

It is normal to experience some sensitivity to heat, cold and pressure after your appointment. It is not uncommon for the tooth to be sensitive for several weeks or months. You can also expect some soreness in your gums for several days.

White fillings are set completely after they are placed, so as soon as the numbness from the anesthetic subsides, you can chew as you would normally. If your bite feels uneven, or if you have any questions or concerns about your new filling, be sure to give us a call.

Sometimes, due to effects of the local anesthesia, it is quite difficult to make sure that your bit is exactly right. If you feel any discomfort in chewing, please let us know. A minor adjustment is usually all it takes to make you comfortable. Don’t wait too long! Teeth can become quite sensitive if the bite is “high.” You can generate in excess of 40,000 pounds per square inch when chewing on your back teeth. If the filling feels high, come in for an adjustment. If you do not do this, your tooth will become irritated and a toothache could result. If you have any questions, please feel free to call at any time. 

• Though some of the root canal procedures we perform are completed in 1 appointment, root canal therapy may take more than 1 appointment to complete.
• Since anesthetic has been used, parts of your mouth may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid chewing and hot beverages until the numbness has worn off.
• Between appointments, a temporary filling is placed to protect the tooth. It is common (and not a problem) for a small portion of your temporary filling to wear away or break off. If the entire filling falls out, please call our office and set a time to come in and have it replaced.
• It is normal to experience some discomfort for several days after a root canal procedure. To control discomfort, take a pain medication prescribed by the dentist as recommended. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them as directed, even if all signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Taking ibuprofen before the numbness wears off can greatly reduce post-operative pain.
• To protect the tooth and keep the temporary filling in place, avoid eating hard or sticky food (such as gum), and try to chew on the other side of your mouth. Continue to brush and floss normally. Usually, the last step in a root canal is the placement of a crown or permanent filling in the tooth. A crown will help protect the tooth from breaking in the future.
• If you have signs of swelling or increasing pain, or if you have any further questions or concerns, please contact our office at 320-693-8131.

We understand that having a tooth extracted can be very stressful, so we just want to follow up with a few suggestions to help make your recovery more comfortable.

• Bite on wet gauze, and change every 20-30 minutes. Make sure that the gauze is directly over the extracted area. If you feel that the gauze is soaked with saliva or blood you can change it more often.  You can stop using the guaze, where the tooth used to be, is a light pink and everything has weeped onto the gauze. If bleeding persists for more than 1 hour with strong pressure applied, you can bite on a wet tea bag to stop the bleeding.
• Rinsing out mouth, spitting, sucking on a straw  for 24-48 hours.
• No cigarrettes for 2 or 3 days.
• Stay away from hot foods while you are still numb. Maintain a soft diet for 48 hours after your extraction. Avoid sharp foods like chips and crackers; stay away from peanuts and popcorn for the next 24-48 hours.
• Start cleaning the area with toothbrush today, be very careful.
• Place a towel over your pillow when you go to sleep, if you drool there will be blood in your saliva.
• You will see blood in your saliva for the next couple of days but that is normal.
• Starting the day after extraction gently rinse with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon in 8 ounces of warm water) after each meal and at bedtime to soothe your gums.
• Apply an ice pack at 20 minute increments to reduce swelling. After 48 hours you can place warm packs.
• For pain relief use OTC(Ibuprofen/Tylenol) medications that you would use for a headache. If you are able to take ibuprofen, you can safely take up to 800mg every 6-8hours.
• A small percentage of patients with recently extracted teeth will experience dry sockets. If you are seeing improvements and 3-4 days after your extraction you begin to experience tooth-ache type pain in that area, please call our office at (320)693-8131. You may have a dry socket and simple medication placed in the socket can offer relief.

You should be fully recovered in a few days, but if you experience abnormal pain or if something seems wrong, please call the office. 

Scaling and Root Planing After-Care Instructions
Following Scaling and Root Planing, you can expect to notice less redness, and less bleeding, and less swelling of your gum tissue. Your gum health can be maintained with proper home care and regular professional care.

Discomfort/Pain
Discomfort or pain should be acute and should subside in a few days. Discomfort immediately after treatment is usually associated with slight throbbing or aching and occasionally may be uncomfortable. This discomfort usually subsides in about twenty-four hours. Any discomfort due to brushing should get better in one to three days. Ibuprofen/Tylenol is generally recommended for minor discomfort.

Tooth Sensitivity
Teeth may be sensitive to temperature changes and/or sweets. The sensitivity to temperature may be intense the first two or three days.

Bleeding
Some slight bleeding may occur during the next several brushings but the bleeding should steadily decrease after two or three days.

Appearance
Root surfaces may be more exposed as the inflammation subsides. This may result in more spaces between teeth.

Instructions to Minimize Symptoms
Diet/Eating-If extensive root planning was performed, chewing hard foods, such as meat or raw vegetables may be uncomfortable; this should last no longer than a few days. A diet of softer consistency would be advised until chewing becomes more comfortable.

Discomfort/Pain/Sensitivity
If a local anesthetic was used, avoid chewing foods until feeling returns to avoid injury to the tongue or cheeks. Acetaminophen or a non-aspirin analgesic should be taken as needed to reduce discomfort. If tooth sensitivity persists, use a desensitizing dentifrice (toothpaste) containing potassium nitrate. If the sensitivity is severe and prolonged, professional application of a desensitizing agent may be required.

Oral Hygiene
If gum tissues are tender, brush your teeth gently but thoroughly; this may take a little more time than normal. By the third to fourth day, normal oral hygiene techniques can be resumed. Mouth rinsing is recommended with a antimicrobial rinse, OR a warm salt water rinse.