• MOST IMPORTANT DIRECTION: You have been given an IRRIGATION SYRINGE and instructed how and when to use it. You may begin gentle rinsing with IRRIGATION SYRINGE using a saltwater solution (1 or 2 teaspoon salt + 8 ounces warm water). Be sure to RINSE AFTER EACH MEAL OR SNACK, or every 2-3 hours! Refill you syringe 2-3 times and rinse gently until no more food is seating at the site. If you keep your surgical site clean, you will heal, if you do not, it will cause secondary infection. Remember, it takes only one time for food to get into the surgical site and then secondary infection will start, so be sure to RINSE AFTER EACH MEAL OR SNACK!
• CHLORHEXIDINE RINSING:  In addition to warm salt water rinses, you would also need to rinse with “liquid antibiotic” called Chlorhexidine.  If you been given prescription at your appointment, then follow these instructions.  After breakfast and dinner, or morning and evening, when you rinse with warm salt water and get the site cleaned, now you need to rinse with Chlorhexidine, use same syringe and do exactly the same step as with warm salt water, but now use Chlorhexidine.  
• ANTIBIOTICS:  Take all of them as PRESCRIBED AND DIRECTED to you until you finish all of  your antibiotics.  Women: some antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use alternate birth control methods for two months.
• PAIN:  Some discomfort is normal after surgery. To minimize pain, take Tylenol, Motrin or Advil, or similar non-aspirin pain reliever to maintain comfort. Start take it before the anesthesia wears off. If prescription pain medication is prescribed, take it as instructed on the label. Don’t exceed the dose on the label. Taking it with food will help reduce upset stomach. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery when taking pain prescriptions. Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medications.  Strong pain medications, like Norco, must be only taken before bedtime.
• DO NOT: Swish, suck through a straw, spit or smoke, it can all dislodge the clot. Keep anything sharp from entering the wound (crunchy food, toothpicks, eating utensils). Be sure to chew on the opposite side until the area heals completely.  Understand that any food caught inside the extraction socket (place where tooth used to be) can cause infection, pain and additional surgery, so stay on soft or liquid food diet and give your body enough time to heal, BUT BE SURE TO RINSE AFTER EACH MEAL OR SNACK!

• BLEEDING:  When you leave the office, you might be biting on a gauze pad to control bleeding. Keep slight pressure on this gauze for at least 30 to 60 minutes. Don’t change it during this time; it needs to remain undisturbed while a clot forms in the extraction socket. After 30 minutes you may remove it. You may bite on another gauze or a tea bag for another 30 minutes if you feel it is still bleeding.  Small amounts of blood in the saliva can make your saliva appear quite red. This is normal and may be noticed the rest of the day after the procedure.
• DIET:  Eat soft foods until the area is healed. Maintain a good, balanced diet, you need proper nutrition to heal. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol for 48 hours.  Keeping the area clean from food debris will promote good healing.
• SMOKING:  Smoking should be stopped following surgery. Healing and success of the surgery will be substantially reduced by the cigarette smoke chemicals in your body. Also the suction created when inhaling cigarettes can dislodge the clot. Smokers are at greater risk of developing a painful condition called “Dry Socket”, which can hurt worse then a toothache and there is no cure for it.  You must quit for at least 5 day to allow initial healing.
• NAUSEA:  This is most often caused by taking pain medications on an empty stomach. Reduce nausea by preceding each pain pill with soft food, and taking the pill with a large glass of water.
• SWELLING:   Applying an ice bag to the face over the operated area will minimize swelling. Apply for 15 minutes, then remove for 15 minutes. Continue this for the first day.
• NUMBNESS:  The local anesthetic will cause you to be numb for several hours after you leave the office. Be very careful not to bite, chew, pinch, or scratch the numb area. Sometimes the extraction causes residual numbness or tingling for six weeks or longer.  Contact our office if you experience these symptoms.
• BRUSHING:  Do not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After this, you must brush your teeth to reduce bacteria amount, but avoid the area of surgery for few days.
• ACTIVITY:   After leaving the office, rest and avoid strenuous activities for the remainder of the day. Keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
• SINUS:  If your sinus was involved in the procedure, you should avoid blowing your nose or playing a wind musical instrument for one week. Use of decongestant medications might be recommended.
• SUTURES:  If you had resorbable sutures placed, then they will dissolve on its own in 7-10 days and you do not need to worry about suture removal.  If you have sutures that do not resorb, then you need to return back to the office for a sutures removal.
• SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS – Trismus (stiffness) in the face muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for a period of days. Moist heat compresses can minimize this condition. You may experience aching from other teeth. This discomfort is caused by referred pain and is a temporary condition. It is not unusual to develop bruising in the area of the extraction. There may be a slight elevation in temperature for 24-48 hours. If the fever persists, please contact our office.
• FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS:  You WILL NEED TO RETURN to the office for a brief follow-up healing check.  

Following these instructions very closely will greatly help your comfort, and promote uneventful healing of the area. If any of the instructions are not followed, you might have significantly more discomfort, and the success of the procedure may be affected.

Brushing your teeth with a disclosing agent can be a great way to visualize areas you might be missing during your regular routine. Here's how to do it effectively and safely:

Before you begin:

• Gather your supplies: You'll need your regular toothbrush, toothpaste, a disclosing tablet or rinse (click here for list of products on Amazon), and a glass of water.
• Choose your lighting: Good lighting is key for seeing the disclosing agent's effects. Natural daylight or a well-lit bathroom are ideal.

Brushing with the disclosing agent:

1. Brush as usual: Start by brushing your teeth with your regular toothpaste for 2 minutes, focusing on all surfaces of each tooth.
2. Use the disclosing agent: After rinsing with water, chew the disclosing tablet or swish the rinse in your mouth for 30 seconds, coating all your teeth.
3. Rinse lightly: Rinse with a small amount of water, leaving some of the disclosing agent on your teeth. This will highlight areas you missed brushing.

Analyzing the results:

• Look for stained areas: The disclosing agent will stain areas where plaque and food debris remain, appearing as pink, red, or purple spots.
• Focus on missed areas: Pay particular attention to the gum line, behind teeth, and in between molars, where plaque often builds up.
• Refine your brushing: Use your toothbrush to carefully remove the stained areas, focusing on gentle circular motions and short back-and-forth strokes.

Additional tips:

• Don't swallow the disclosing agent: It's meant for temporary staining, not ingestion.
• Rinse thoroughly after: Remove all traces of the disclosing agent with water to avoid staining your tongue or lips.
• Brush regularly: Using a disclosing agent once or twice a week can help you develop good brushing habits and maintain optimal oral hygiene.

Remember, even with good brushing, plaque and tartar can build up over time, so regular dental cleanings are still essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

• DO NOT DISTURB THE AREA:  For the next few days, and especially the first 24 hours, it is very important to allow your body to form a good clot and start natural healing process.
• DO NOT: Swish, suck through a straw, spit or smoke, it can all dislodge the clot. Keep anything sharp from entering the wound (crunchy food, toothpicks, eating utensils).

• Be sure to chew on the opposite side until the area heals completely.

• Understand that any food caught inside the extraction socket (place where tooth used to be) can cause infection, pain and additional surgery, so stay on soft or liquid food diet and give your body enough time to heal.

• MOST IMPORTANT DIRECTION: You have been given an IRRIGATION SYRINGE and instructed how and when to use it. You may begin gentle rinsing with IRRIGATION SYRINGE using a saltwater solution (1 or 2 teaspoon salt + 8 ounces warm water). Be sure to RINSE AFTER EACH MEAL OR SNACK! If you keep your surgical site clean, you will heal, if you do not, it will cause secondary infection. Remember, it takes only one time for food to get into the surgical site and then secondary infection will start, so be sure to RINSE AFTER EACH MEAL OR SNACK!
• BLEEDING:  When you leave the office, you might be biting on a gauze pad to control bleeding. Keep slight pressure on this gauze for at least 30 to 60 minutes. Don’t change it during this time; it needs to remain undisturbed while a clot forms in the extraction socket. After 30 minutes you may remove it. You may bite on another gauze or a tea bag for another 30 minutes if you feel it is still bleeding.  Small amounts of blood in the saliva can make your saliva appear quite red. This is normal and may be noticed the rest of the day after the procedure.
• DIET:  Eat soft foods until the area is healed. Maintain a good, balanced diet, you need proper nutrition to heal. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol for 48 hours.  Keeping the area clean from food debris will promote good healing.
• SMOKING:  Smoking should be stopped following surgery. Healing and success of the surgery will be substantially reduced by the cigarette smoke chemicals in your body. Also the suction created when inhaling cigarettes can dislodge the clot. Smokers are at greater risk of developing a painful condition called “Dry Socket”, which can hurt worse then a toothache and there is no cure for it.  You must quit for at least 5 day to allow initial healing.
• PAIN:  Some discomfort is normal after surgery. To minimize pain, take Tylenol, Motrin or Advil, or similar non-aspirin pain reliever to maintain comfort. Start take it before the anesthesia wears off. If prescription pain medication is prescribed, take it as instructed on the label. Don’t exceed the dose on the label. Taking with food or milk will help reduce upset stomach. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery when taking pain prescriptions. Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medications.  Strong pain medications, like Norco, must be only taken before bedtime.
• NAUSEA:  This is most often caused by taking pain medications on an empty stomach. Reduce nausea by preceding each pain pill with soft food, and taking the pill with a large glass of water.
• SWELLING:   Applying an ice bag to the face over the operated area will minimize swelling. Apply for 15 minutes, then remove for 15 minutes. Continue this for the first day.
• NUMBNESS:  The local anesthetic will cause you to be numb for several hours after you leave the office. Be very careful not to bite, chew, pinch, or scratch the numb area. Sometimes the extraction causes residual numbness or tingling for six weeks or longer.  Contact our office if you experience these symptoms.
• BRUSHING:  Do not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After this, you must brush your teeth to reduce bacteria amount, but avoid the area of surgery for few days.
• RINSING:  Avoid all rinsing or swishing for 24 hours after extraction. Rinsing can disturb the formation of a healing blood clot which is essential to proper healing. This could cause bleeding and risk of dry socket. After 24 hours you may begin gentle rinsing with a saltwater solution (1 or 2 teaspoon salt + 8 ounces warm water) after each meal or snack. Avoid commercial mouth rinses that contain alcohol.
• ACTIVITY:   After leaving the office, rest and avoid strenuous activities for the remainder of the day. Keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
• ANTIBIOTICS:  If you were given an antibiotic prescription, take all of them as directed until they are gone. Women: some antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use alternate birth control methods for two months.
• SINUS:  If your sinus was involved in the procedure, you should avoid blowing your nose or playing a wind musical instrument for one week. Use of decongestant medications might be recommended.
• SUTURES:  If you had resorbable sutures placed, then they will dissolve on its own in 7-10 days and you do not need to worry about suture removal.
• SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS – Trismus (stiffness) in the face muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for a period of days. Moist heat compresses can minimize this condition. You may experience aching from other teeth. This discomfort is caused by referred pain and is a temporary condition. It is not unusual to develop bruising in the area of the extraction. There may be a slight elevation in temperature for 24-48 hours. If the fever persists, please contact our office.
• FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS:  You may need to return to the office for a brief follow-up healing check.

Following these instructions very closely will greatly help your comfort, and promote uneventful healing of the area. If any of the instructions are not followed, you might have significantly more discomfort, and the success of the procedure may be affected.

• MOST IMPORTANT DIRECTION: You have been given an IRRIGATION SYRINGE and instructed how and when to use it. You may begin gentle rinsing with IRRIGATION SYRINGE using a saltwater solution (1 or 2 teaspoon salt + 8 ounces warm water). Be sure to RINSE AFTER EACH MEAL OR SNACK! If you keep your surgical site clean, you will heal, if you do not, it will cause secondary infection. Remember, it takes only one time for food to get into the surgical site and then secondary infection will start, so be sure to RINSE AFTER EACH MEAL OR SNACK!
• CHLORHEXIDINE RINSING:  In addition to warm salt water rinses after each meal or every 2-3 hours, you would also need to rinse with “liquid antibiotic” called Chlorhexidine.  If you been given prescription at your appointment, then follow these instructions.  After breakfast and dinner, or morning and evening, when you rinse with warm salt water and get the site cleaned, now you need to rinse with Chlorhexidine, use same syringe and do exactly the same step as with warm salt water, but now use Chlorhexidine.  
• DO NOT: Swish, suck through a straw, spit or smoke, it can all dislodge the clot. Keep anything sharp from entering the wound (crunchy food, toothpicks, eating utensils). Be sure to chew on the opposite side until the area heals completely.  Understand that any food caught inside the extraction socket (place where tooth used to be) can cause infection, pain and additional surgery, so stay on soft or liquid food diet and give your body enough time to heal, BUT BE SURE TO RINSE AFTER EACH MEAL OR SNACK!

• BLEEDING:  When you leave the office, you might be biting on a gauze pad to control bleeding. Keep slight pressure on this gauze for at least 30 to 60 minutes. Don’t change it during this time; it needs to remain undisturbed while a clot forms in the extraction socket. After 30 minutes you may remove it. You may bite on another gauze or a tea bag for another 30 minutes if you feel it is still bleeding.  Small amounts of blood in the saliva can make your saliva appear quite red. This is normal and may be noticed the rest of the day after the procedure.
• DIET:  Eat soft foods until the area is healed. Maintain a good, balanced diet, you need proper nutrition to heal. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol for 48 hours.  Keeping the area clean from food debris will promote good healing.
• SMOKING:  Smoking should be stopped following surgery. Healing and success of the surgery will be substantially reduced by the cigarette smoke chemicals in your body. Also the suction created when inhaling cigarettes can dislodge the clot. Smokers are at greater risk of developing a painful condition called “Dry Socket”, which can hurt worse then a toothache and there is no cure for it.  You must quit for at least 5 day to allow initial healing.
• PAIN:  Some discomfort is normal after surgery. To minimize pain, take Tylenol, Motrin or Advil, or similar non-aspirin pain reliever to maintain comfort. Start take it before the anesthesia wears off. If prescription pain medication is prescribed, take it as instructed on the label. Don’t exceed the dose on the label. Taking it with food will help reduce upset stomach. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery when taking pain prescriptions. Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medications.  Strong pain medications, like Norco, must be only taken before bedtime.
• NAUSEA:  This is most often caused by taking pain medications on an empty stomach. Reduce nausea by preceding each pain pill with soft food, and taking the pill with a large glass of water.
• SWELLING:   Applying an ice bag to the face over the operated area will minimize swelling. Apply for 15 minutes, then remove for 15 minutes. Continue this for the first day.
• NUMBNESS:  The local anesthetic will cause you to be numb for several hours after you leave the office. Be very careful not to bite, chew, pinch, or scratch the numb area. Sometimes the extraction causes residual numbness or tingling for six weeks or longer.  Contact our office if you experience these symptoms.
• BRUSHING:  Do not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After this, you must brush your teeth to reduce bacteria amount, but avoid the area of surgery for few days.
• ACTIVITY:   After leaving the office, rest and avoid strenuous activities for the remainder of the day. Keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
• ANTIBIOTICS:  If you were given an antibiotic prescription, take all of them as directed until they are gone. Women: some antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use alternate birth control methods for two months.
• SINUS:  If your sinus was involved in the procedure, you should avoid blowing your nose or playing a wind musical instrument for one week. Use of decongestant medications might be recommended.
• SUTURES:  If you had resorbable sutures placed, then they will dissolve on its own in 7-10 days and you do not need to worry about suture removal.  If you have sutures that do not resorb, then you need to return back to the office for a sutures removal.
• SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS – Trismus (stiffness) in the face muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for a period of days. Moist heat compresses can minimize this condition. You may experience aching from other teeth. This discomfort is caused by referred pain and is a temporary condition. It is not unusual to develop bruising in the area of the extraction. There may be a slight elevation in temperature for 24-48 hours. If the fever persists, please contact our office.
• FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS:  You WILL NEED TO RETURN to the office for a brief follow-up healing check.  We want to make sure you get checks and evaluated and staying on proper healing course.  You WILL NEED TO RETURN in 6-8 weeks to work on your definitive crown, remember that the crown you are wearing now is temporary only, if it does come off or break, you need to report to us so that we can get your crown back on to prevent for your tooth to decay and fail, so that you do not lose that tooth.

Following these instructions very closely will greatly help your comfort, and promote uneventful healing of the area. If any of the instructions are not followed, you might have significantly more discomfort, and the success of the procedure may be affected.

• • DO NOT DISTURB THE AREA:  For the next few days, and especially the first 24 hours, it is very important to allow your body to form a good clot and start natural healing process.
  • DO NOT: Swish, suck through a straw, spit or smoke, it can all dislodge the clot. Keep anything sharp from entering the wound (crunchy food, toothpicks, eating utensils).
  • Be sure to chew on the opposite side until the area heals completely.
  • Understand that any food caught inside the extraction socket (place where tooth used to be) can cause infection, pain and additional surgery, so stay on soft or liquid food diet and give your body enough time to heal.
  • MOST IMPORTANT DIRECTION: You have been given an IRRIGATION SYRINGE and instructed how and when to use it. You may begin gentle rinsing with IRRIGATION SYRINGE using a saltwater solution (1 or 2 teaspoon salt + 8 ounces warm water). Be sure to RINSE AFTER EACH MEAL OR SNACK! If you keep your surgical site clean, you will heal, if you do not, it will cause secondary infection. Remember, it takes only one time for food to get into the surgical site and then secondary infection will start, so be sure to RINSE AFTER EACH MEAL OR SNACK!
  • BLEEDING:  When you leave the office, you might be biting on a gauze pad to control bleeding. Keep slight pressure on this gauze for at least 30 to 60 minutes. Don’t change it during this time; it needs to remain undisturbed while a clot forms in the extraction socket. After 30 minutes you may remove it. You may bite on another gauze or a tea bag for another 30 minutes if you feel it is still bleeding.  Small amounts of blood in the saliva can make your saliva appear quite red. This is normal and may be noticed the rest of the day after the procedure.
  • DIET:  Eat soft foods until the area is healed. Maintain a good, balanced diet, you need proper nutrition to heal. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol for 48 hours.  Keeping the area clean from food debris will promote good healing.
  • SMOKING:  Smoking should be stopped following surgery. Healing and success of the surgery will be substantially reduced by the cigarette smoke chemicals in your body. Also the suction created when inhaling cigarettes can dislodge the clot. Smokers are at greater risk of developing a painful condition called “Dry Socket”, which can hurt worse then a toothache and there is no cure for it.  You must quit for at least 5 day to allow initial healing.
  • PAIN:  Some discomfort is normal after surgery. To minimize pain, take Tylenol, Motrin or Advil, or similar non-aspirin pain reliever to maintain comfort. Start take it before the anesthesia wears off. If prescription pain medication is prescribed, take it as instructed on the label. Don’t exceed the dose on the label. Taking with food will help reduce upset stomach. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery when taking pain prescriptions. Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medications.  Strong pain medications, like Norco, must be only taken before bedtime.
  • NAUSEA:  This is most often caused by taking pain medications on an empty stomach. Reduce nausea by preceding each pain pill with soft food, and taking the pill with a large glass of water.
  • SWELLING:   Applying an ice bag to the face over the operated area will minimize swelling. Apply for 15 minutes, then remove for 15 minutes. Continue this for the first day.
  • NUMBNESS:  The local anesthetic will cause you to be numb for several hours after you leave the office. Be very careful not to bite, chew, pinch, or scratch the numb area. Sometimes the extraction causes residual numbness or tingling for six weeks or longer.  Contact our office if you experience these symptoms.
  • BRUSHING:  Do not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After this, you must brush your teeth to reduce bacteria amount, but avoid the area of surgery for few days.
  • RINSING:  Avoid all rinsing or swishing for 24 hours after extraction. Rinsing can disturb the formation of a healing blood clot which is essential to proper healing. This could cause bleeding and risk of dry socket. After 24 hours you may begin gentle rinsing with a saltwater solution (1 or 2 teaspoon salt + 8 ounces warm water) after each meal or snack. Avoid commercial mouth rinses that contain alcohol.
  • ACTIVITY:   After leaving the office, rest and avoid strenuous activities for the remainder of the day. Keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
  • ANTIBIOTICS:  If you were given an antibiotic prescription, take all of them as directed until they are gone. Women: some antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use alternate birth control methods for two months.
  • SINUS:  If your sinus was involved in the procedure, you should avoid blowing your nose or playing a wind musical instrument for one week. Use of decongestant medications might be recommended.
  • SUTURES:  If you had resorbable sutures placed, then they will dissolve on its own in 7-10 days and you do not need to worry about suture removal.
  • SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS – Trismus (stiffness) in the face muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for a period of days. Moist heat compresses can minimize this condition. You may experience aching from other teeth. This discomfort is caused by referred pain and is a temporary condition. It is not unusual to develop bruising in the area of the extraction. There may be a slight elevation in temperature for 24-48 hours. If the fever persists, please contact our office.
  • FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS:  You may need to return to the office for a brief follow-up healing check.

  Following these instructions very closely will greatly help your comfort, and promote uneventful healing of the area. If any of the instructions are not followed, you might have significantly more discomfort, and the success of the procedure may be affected.

To minimize the discomfort and encourage proper healing following your scaling and root planing, follow these instructions:

• After the procedure, take aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol®), or ibuprofen (Advil®) before the anesthetic wears off. Continue to take over the counter pain medication for the next two days even if you do not have any discomfort.

• A saltwater solution (1 OR 2 teaspoon salt + 8 ounces warm water) swished in your mouth for 2 to 3 minutes every hour may make your mouth more comfortable.

• Use a soft toothbrush and floss at least two times a day. Be gentle and clean thoroughly.  Plaque (Bacteria) will start to grow and removing it with brushing and flossing at least twice a day will promote a positive outcome of the treatment.

• Slight bleeding may occur while brushing as the tissues begin to heal and is normal up to 4 weeks following treatment.

• Avoid strong spicy seasonings, and hard crunchy foods for the next few days.

• Smoking should be stopped. Success of the treatment will be substantially reduced by the cigarette smoke chemicals in your body.

• As the tissues heal, some temporary sensitivity to cold may occur. Use a desensitizing toothpaste (such as Sensodyne® without whitening), or fluoride gel (such as Prevident® or Gel-Kam®) frequently (at least 4 times/day) for 1 to 2 weeks. Also, the cleaner the teeth are kept, the less sensitive they will be.

• Faithfully use any other oral hygiene aids that have been recommended (floss, waterpick, chlorhexidine, rubber tip, Sonicare®, Proxabrush®, Peridex® mouthrinse, etc).

• If you had antibiotics like Arestin or Atridox applied at the time of deep cleaning, do all the recommended post op instructions but  DO NOT floss or waterpick the treated teeth with antibiotics for at least 10 days.
• Always Follow Up.  Because the bacteria that cause periodontal disease are persistent, the infection can return.  Please be sure to make follow-up  appointments  with  your  dental  professional to maintain healthy gums and teeth.

• Keep Your Scheduled Appointments.  It is important to keep all of your dental appointments so that your dental professional can re-examine your gums, make  sure  the  infection  is  under  control, and measure the success of your treatment.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call our office at 704-837-7701

• GUM GRAFT

  • • MOST IMPORTANT DIRECTION: You have been given an IRRIGATION SYRINGE and instructed how and when to use it. You may begin gentle rinsing with IRRIGATION SYRINGE using a saltwater solution (1 or 2 teaspoon salt + 8 ounces warm water). Be sure to RINSE AFTER EACH MEAL OR SNACK! If you keep your surgical site clean, you will heal, if you do not, it will cause secondary infection. Remember, it takes only one time for food to get into the surgical site and then secondary infection will start, so be sure to RINSE AFTER EACH MEAL OR SNACK!
    • CHLORHEXIDINE RINSING:  In addition to warm salt water rinses after each meal or every 2-3 hours, you would also need to rinse with “liquid antibiotic” called Chlorhexidine.  If you been given prescription at your appointment, then follow these instructions.  After breakfast and dinner, or morning and evening, when you rinse with warm salt water and get the site cleaned, now you need to rinse with Chlorhexidine, use same syringe and do exactly the same step as with warm salt water, but now use Chlorhexidine.  
  • STENT/MATRIX: If you being given a clear matrix/stent for your upper jaw to cover the donor site on the roof of your mouth, you may wear it for all the time or during the day, depends on how much discomfort you feel.  Take the stent out after each time you each and rinse it under luke warm water, use toothbrush and soap to clean it, do not use toothpaste.  Everytime  you rinse, take the matrix out and make sure the solution gets to the wound. Do not put matrix into the hot water.
  • DO NOT: Swish, suck through a straw, spit or smoke, it can all dislodge the clot. Keep anything sharp from entering the wound (crunchy food, toothpicks, eating utensils). Be sure to chew on the opposite side until the area heals completely.  Understand that any food caught inside the extraction socket (place where tooth used to be) can cause infection, pain and additional surgery, so stay on soft or liquid food diet and give your body enough time to heal, BUT BE SURE TO RINSE AFTER EACH MEAL OR SNACK!
  • BLEEDING:  When you leave the office, you might be biting on a gauze pad to control bleeding. Keep slight pressure on this gauze for at least 30 to 60 minutes. Don’t change it during this time; it needs to remain undisturbed while a clot forms in the extraction socket. After 30 minutes you may remove it. You may bite on another gauze or a tea bag for another 30 minutes if you feel it is still bleeding.  Small amounts of blood in the saliva can make your saliva appear quite red. This is normal and may be noticed the rest of the day after the procedure.
  • DIET:  Eat soft foods until the area is healed. Maintain a good, balanced diet, you need proper nutrition to heal. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol for 48 hours.  Keeping the area clean from food debris will promote good healing.
  • SMOKING:  Smoking should be stopped following surgery. Healing and success of the surgery will be substantially reduced by the cigarette smoke chemicals in your body. Also the suction created when inhaling cigarettes can dislodge the clot. Smokers are at greater risk of developing a painful condition called “Dry Socket”, which can hurt worse then a toothache and there is no cure for it.  You must quit for at least 5 day to allow initial healing.
  • PAIN:  Some discomfort is normal after surgery. To minimize pain, take Tylenol, Motrin or Advil, or similar non-aspirin pain reliever to maintain comfort. Start take it before the anesthesia wears off. If prescription pain medication is prescribed, take it as instructed on the label. Don’t exceed the dose on the label. Taking it with food will help reduce upset stomach. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery when taking pain prescriptions. Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medications.  Strong pain medications, like Norco, must be only taken before bedtime.
  • NAUSEA:  This is most often caused by taking pain medications on an empty stomach. Reduce nausea by preceding each pain pill with soft food, and taking the pill with a large glass of water.
  • SWELLING:   Applying an ice bag to the face over the operated area will minimize swelling. Apply for 15 minutes, then remove for 15 minutes. Continue this for the first day.
  • NUMBNESS:  The local anesthetic will cause you to be numb for several hours after you leave the office. Be very careful not to bite, chew, pinch, or scratch the numb area. Sometimes the extraction causes residual numbness or tingling for six weeks or longer.  Contact our office if you experience these symptoms.
  • BRUSHING:  Do not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After this, you must brush your teeth to reduce bacteria amount, but avoid the area of surgery for few days.
  • ACTIVITY:   After leaving the office, rest and avoid strenuous activities for the remainder of the day. Keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
  • ANTIBIOTICS:  If you were given an antibiotic prescription, take all of them as directed until they are gone. Women: some antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use alternate birth control methods for two months.
  • SINUS:  If your sinus was involved in the procedure, you should avoid blowing your nose or playing a wind musical instrument for one week. Use of decongestant medications might be recommended.
  • SUTURES:  If you had resorbable sutures placed, then they will dissolve on its own in 7-10 days and you do not need to worry about suture removal.  If you have sutures that do not resorb, then you need to return back to the office for a sutures removal.
  • SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS – Trismus (stiffness) in the face muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for a period of days. Moist heat compresses can minimize this condition. You may experience aching from other teeth. This discomfort is caused by referred pain and is a temporary condition. It is not unusual to develop bruising in the area of the extraction. There may be a slight elevation in temperature for 24-48 hours. If the fever persists, please contact our office.
  • FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS:  You may need to return to the office for a brief follow-up healing check.

  Following these instructions very closely will greatly help your comfort, and promote uneventful healing of the area. If any of the instructions are not followed, you might have significantly more discomfort, and the success of the procedure may be affected.

• Taking care of Invisalign clear aligners is very simple. Every time you brush your teeth you can brush your aligners but without a toothpaste. The best way to clean your aligners is to use the Invisalign cleaning kit. They can also be soaked and cleaned in a denture cleaner.
• It is not advisable to remove your aligners at night.
• Thanks to the removable nature though, you can eat and drink whatever you want while in treatment. In fact, you’re required to remove your aligners to eat and drink. So, unlike undergoing traditional treatment using wires and brackets, there is no need to restrict your consumption of any of your favorite foods and snacks unless instructed otherwise by Dr. Denisovich.
•  Also, it is important that you brush your teeth after each meal and prior to re-inserting your aligners to maintain fresh breath and proper hygiene.
• Dr. Denisovich discourages smoking while wearing aligners because it is possible for the aligners to become discolored.
• You cannot chew gum while wearing your aligners. It will stick to the aligners.
• We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks.

Trays May Cause Some Irritation To The Lips, Tongue, And Cheeks
If This Occurs

• Use wax to stop the irritation
• Rinse with warm salt water to help irritation heal
• Products like Zilactin-B or a peroxide based rinse can be helpful, and are available over the counter

Things TO DO During Invisalign Treatment:

• Wear each set of trays for at least 2 weeks, unless otherwise instructed
• Wear each set of trays for 18- 20 hours a day, unless otherwise instructed
• Use denture cleaner tablets to clean trays at least once a day
• Always place trays in case when not in your mouth
• Always remove trays by starting from the back molars
• Always place trays in from the front of your mouth first, and then move to the back teeth
• You may drink water while wearing trays or use a straw for dark liquids
• If possible, brush or rinse before placing trays back in your mouth
• Clenching into trays w/ your aligner chewies during the first 2-3 days helps teeth move faster and relieve pressure. Only clench for 30-40 sec each quadrant, and repeat for 5-10 min, but only do this if you have no history of jaw problems
• Wear trays as instructed in sequential order
• Keep 2 to 3 of your previous trays in a clean plastic bag

Things NOT TO DO During Invisalign Treatment:

• Throw away trays
• Leave trays out of mouth for long periods of time
• Chew gum with aligners in your mouth
• Leave trays in hot vehicle, or boil them (They are plastic!)
• Leave trays sitting out for pets or small children to chew on
• Wrap trays in a napkin (You will throw them away acidently!)
• Place trays in your pocket without a case
• Have dental work done while in treatment, EXCEPT for regular checkups and cleanings
• Eat while wearing trays
• Remove trays from the front teeth first
• Drink dark teas, coffee or soda with trays in (Use a straw)
• Set trays on table at a restaurant
• Bite trays into position, this may damage them
• Use mouthwash or toothpaste on trays

Teeth may begin to feel slightly mobile or loose during treatment, but this is normal.

Non-compliant wear of aligners may result in the need for new impressions and additional fees

Post-Operative Care After a Dental Night Guard

Here are some post-operative care instructions to follow after receiving a dental night guard:

General Care:
Traditional Way

Clean your night guard daily. Rinse it with cool water and brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap. DO NOT use toothpaste, as it can be abrasive and damage the night guard. https://www.carebywally.com/blog/cleaning-your-night-guard-or-retainer-with-toothpaste-our-hygienists-say-stop

New and Better Way

Just simply take it out of your mouth after wear. Rinse it under luke warm water, then put it into your mini dental ultrasonic cleaner which will help you save time and keep your night guard in pristine conditions.  It is that simple! Dr.D uses this one from ZimaDental  or you can find similar products on Amazon.  Store your night guard in a clean, dry place. A hard case is ideal for protecting your night guard from damage and dust.

Bring your night guard to all dental appointments. We will need to check it for wear and tear and make sure it is still fitting properly.

Wearing Your Night Guard:
Wear your night guard as directed by your dentist. This is usually every night while you sleep.  REMEMBER - It only works when you wear it.

Do not chew on your night guard. This can cause it to break or become misshapen.

Do not let your lovely dog or a cat find it, if they do, then this would be the last time you will see it.

If your night guard feels uncomfortable, contact us. You may need adjustments for a better fit.

Additional Tips:
You may experience some minor discomfort when you first start wearing your night guard. This is normal and should subside within a few weeks.

You may also experience increased saliva production while wearing your night guard. This is also normal and should subside over time.

By following these post-operative care instructions, you can help ensure that your night guard is effective and lasts for many years.
Please note: These are general post-operative care instructions. It is important to follow the specific instructions provided to you at your visit.
Over time, night guards can wear down and lose their effectiveness.
If you have any questions or concerns about your night guard, call us.

• New dentures always require a period of adjustment.  First-time denture patients may require several weeks or months to get used to their new appliance.  Speech may be altered, and may require adaptation of the tongue and lips.
• For the first few days, you should wear your dentures for as long as possible, and chew soft food in small bites on both sides of your mouth.  Remember, dentures do not have the same chewing efficiency as natural teeth and may affect your taste of food.
• If your bite feels uneven after several days, please let us know, we can adjust the way your teeth contact at follow-up visits.
• It is not unusual for sore spots to develop in isolated areas of the mouth.  These areas can be relieved easily at follow-up appointments.
• If a severe sore spot develops which prevents wearing the denture and an appointment is made for adjustment, please wear the denture for 24 hours prior to the appointment.  This will greatly aid in locating the exact area, and make adjustments significantly easier and more predictable.
• Proper cleaning of your denture is important to prevent stains and bacteria from accumulating on your appliance.  Since cleaning procedures differ for various types of appliances, please follow the directions given to you at your insertion appointment.
• DO NOT wear your complete or partial dentures to bed.  It is important to allow your gum tissues and jaw bones to rest in order to prevent further tissue irritation, infection, and future bone shrinkage.
• Over time, or with weight change, the supporting gum tissues and bone will change shape and size.  Periodic relines of your dentures may be necessary to ensure a retentive fit.  Denture teeth will wear or chip over time.  For this reason, an annual check of your tissues and dentures is recommended.

• • MOST IMPORTANT DIRECTION: You have been given an IRRIGATION SYRINGE and instructed how and when to use it. You may begin gentle rinsing with IRRIGATION SYRINGE using a saltwater solution (1 or 2 teaspoon salt + 8 ounces warm water). Be sure to RINSE AFTER EACH MEAL OR SNACK! If you keep your surgical site clean, you will heal, if you do not, it will cause secondary infection. Remember, it takes only one time for food to get into the surgical site and then secondary infection will start, so be sure to RINSE AFTER EACH MEAL OR SNACK!
  • DO NOT DISTURB THE AREA:  For the next few days, and especially the first 24 hours, it is very important to allow your body to form a good clot and start natural healing process.
  • DO NOT: Swish, suck through a straw, spit or smoke, it can all dislodge the clot. Keep anything sharp from entering the wound (crunchy food, toothpicks, eating utensils). Be sure to chew on the opposite side until the area heals completely.  Understand that any food caught inside the extraction socket (place where tooth used to be) can cause infection, pain and additional surgery, so stay on soft or liquid food diet and give your body enough time to heal, BUT BE SURE TO RINSE AFTER EACH MEAL OR SNACK!
  • BLEEDING:  When you leave the office, you might be biting on a gauze pad to control bleeding. Keep slight pressure on this gauze for at least 30 to 60 minutes. Don’t change it during this time; it needs to remain undisturbed while a clot forms in the extraction socket. After 30 minutes you may remove it. You may bite on another gauze or a tea bag for another 30 minutes if you feel it is still bleeding.  Small amounts of blood in the saliva can make your saliva appear quite red. This is normal and may be noticed the rest of the day after the procedure.
  • DIET:  Eat soft foods until the area is healed. Maintain a good, balanced diet, you need proper nutrition to heal. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol for 48 hours.  Keeping the area clean from food debris will promote good healing.
  • SMOKING:  Smoking should be stopped following surgery. Healing and success of the surgery will be substantially reduced by the cigarette smoke chemicals in your body. Also the suction created when inhaling cigarettes can dislodge the clot. Smokers are at greater risk of developing a painful condition called “Dry Socket”, which can hurt worse then a toothache and there is no cure for it.  You must quit for at least 5 day to allow initial healing.
  • PAIN:  Some discomfort is normal after surgery. To minimize pain, take Tylenol, Motrin or Advil, or similar non-aspirin pain reliever to maintain comfort. Start take it before the anesthesia wears off. If prescription pain medication is prescribed, take it as instructed on the label. Don’t exceed the dose on the label. Taking with food will help reduce upset stomach. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery when taking pain prescriptions. Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medications.  Strong pain medications, like Norco, must be only taken before bedtime.
  • NAUSEA:  This is most often caused by taking pain medications on an empty stomach. Reduce nausea by preceding each pain pill with soft food, and taking the pill with a large glass of water.
  • SWELLING:   Applying an ice bag to the face over the operated area will minimize swelling. Apply for 15 minutes, then remove for 15 minutes. Continue this for the first day.
  • NUMBNESS:  The local anesthetic will cause you to be numb for several hours after you leave the office. Be very careful not to bite, chew, pinch, or scratch the numb area. Sometimes the extraction causes residual numbness or tingling for six weeks or longer.  Contact our office if you experience these symptoms.
  • BRUSHING:  Do not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After this, you must brush your teeth to reduce bacteria amount, but avoid the area of surgery for few days.
  • RINSING:  You may begin gentle rinsing with IRRIGATION SYRINGE using a saltwater solution (1 or 2 teaspoon salt + 8 ounces warm water). Be sure to RINSE AFTER EACH MEAL OR SNACK! If you keep your surgical site clean, you will heal, if you do not, it will cause secondary infection. Remember, it takes only one time for food to get into the surgical site and then secondary infection will start, so be sure to RINSE AFTER EACH MEAL OR SNACK!   Avoid commercial mouth rinses that contain alcohol.
  • ACTIVITY:   After leaving the office, rest and avoid strenuous activities for the remainder of the day. Keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
  • ANTIBIOTICS:  If you were given an antibiotic prescription, take all of them as directed until they are gone. Women: some antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use alternate birth control methods for two months.
  • SINUS:  If your sinus was involved in the procedure, you should avoid blowing your nose or playing a wind musical instrument for one week. Use of decongestant medications might be recommended.
  • SUTURES:  If you had resorbable sutures placed, then they will dissolve on its own in 7-10 days and you do not need to worry about suture removal.  If you have sutures that do not resorb, then you need to return back to the office for a sutures removal.
  • SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS – Trismus (stiffness) in the face muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for a period of days. Moist heat compresses can minimize this condition. You may experience aching from other teeth. This discomfort is caused by referred pain and is a temporary condition. It is not unusual to develop bruising in the area of the extraction. There may be a slight elevation in temperature for 24-48 hours. If the fever persists, please contact our office.
  • FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS:  You may need to return to the office for a brief follow-up healing check.

  Following these instructions very closely will greatly help your comfort, and promote uneventful healing of the area. If any of the instructions are not followed, you might have significantly more discomfort, and the success of the procedure may be affected.

• When anesthesia has been used, your lips, teeth, and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment.  Avoid any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off.  It is easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while numb.
• It is normal to experience some hot, cold and pressure sensitivity after your appointment.  Your gums may be sore for several days.
• Rinse your mouth three times a day with warm salt water (put a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, rinse and spit) to reduce pain and swelling.
• Your new composite fillings are fully hardened before you even leave the office and you can chew shortly after the numbing goes away!
• One of the most common problems following filling placement with anesthesia, is an uneven bite.  It is simply because its hard for the patient to feel correct bite due to numbness.  Most of the time it resolves within few days by it self.  However,  if it does not and if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please contact our office at 704-837-7701
• When decay is deep, a medication is placed under the filling to help preserve nerve vitality to avoid root canal.   This procedure has very good success rate, but occasionally root canal might still be required.

• Bead the bleaching gel inside your custom tray, using caution not to overload the tray. Insert the tray into your mouth over teeth and gently wipe any excess gel from around the edges of your tray, taking extra care not to leave any gel on your gums. Irritated gums usually means you have used too much gel in your tray.
• Wear the tray for brief time, 30 minutes, to see how your mouth reacts to it.  If you feel comfortable, then wear the trays as directed to you at your delivery appointment. The time  of wear is based on the concentration and type of bleaching material utilized for your case.  If the sensitivity is too uncomfortable, stop and reduce time and/or frequency. Usually sensitivity stops after several days.
• While bleaching, do not rinse your mouth, since this may dilute the bleaching agent.
• Do not swallow the whitening gel.
• Never drink, eat, or smoke while wearing your tray.
• Do not consume any red, black or staining foods like: coffee, sodas, red wine, etc.
• After completing your bleaching session, remove the tray and gently clean it with a toothbrush and tap water without toothpaste. Rinse it completely, and let dry thoroughly before the next session.