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Here are a few simple rules to promote healing, prevent complications and make yourself more comfortable after your temporary restoration is placed.

Discomfort

After the tooth has been prepared, you may experience some minor tooth sensitivity or discomfort. You can help reduce this by taking 1 to 2 Ibuprofin (Advil or Motrin) or Extra Strength Tylenol) every four to six hours. Also, rinse your mouth with a warm salt-water solution 4 to 6 times a day (1/2 teaspoon of salt in an 8 oz. glass of warm tap water). This will help reduce gum soreness, if it exists.

Cleaning

We encourage you to brush and floss around your new temporary bridge, crown or filling. When brushing, be extra gentle in that area. When flossing, floss as usual but when you remove the floss pull it through the space instead of popping it through the contact between the adjoining tooth and the temporary. If you feel there may by some cement lodged in or around the gum tissue or the tissue around the tooth is still sensitive after 5 days, please call our office.

Dislodgement of the Temporary Crown or Filling

Temporary fillings and crowns occasionally become loose. If it becomes dislodged, don’t be alarmed. Retain the temporary in a safe place and at your convenience call our office for a short appointment to have it replaced. You can clean out the temporary crown or bridge and place some Fixodent denture adhesive in the crown and place it on your tooth until you are able to get into the office to have it re-cemented. Fixodent is available in most drug stores or supermarkets. Do not leave the temporary crown or bridge off for a prolonged period of time. If the temporary crown is off the tooth for a long time the tooth can shift and affect the fit of the final crown or bridge.

Having a beautiful smile may be even easier than you think. Many people achieve the look they have been dreaming of with our simple tooth whitening procedure.

What are the details of teeth whitening?

It’s safe, quick, and very affordable. Just let us know at any appointment if you would like to whiten your teeth. You can lighten only your upper teeth or both the upper and lower, depending on how much you show when you talk and smile.

In only a few days your custom bleach trays will be ready for you to pick up. We provide you with a special bleaching agent that you put into the clear trays. In less than an hour a day, the whitening agent removes stains from your enamel in a very short time without altering tooth structure or existing dental work in any way. Like any cosmetic procedure, whitening requires touch ups. An occasional treatment is needed to maintain your new bright white smile.

Dental whitening can be used to correct tooth discoloration caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Using the most current whitening materials, we can offer a safe method for creating a beautiful “brilliant” smile. In cases of extreme tooth discoloration whitening may not be the answer. In those cases there are other restorative options such as crowns and veneers. In addition, existing dental restorations will not whiten and may need to be replaced after the whitening procedure is done. Ask us about whitening your teeth today!

Key Benefits of Teeth Whitening

• Corrects brown, yellow and spotted tooth staining
• Works on people of any age
• Is an effective and easy solution for a “dull” smile, restoring brightness and brings a smile to life

How is teeth whitening done?

An impression is taken to make a specialized tray to hold the whitening agent against the teeth. The material is used each day for about 1-2 hours for about 2 weeks. At the end of this time, significant whitening should occur.

Depending on the type of discoloration your teeth have, it may take a longer or shorter period of time to get to the level of whitening that we would like to achieve.

Considerations for Teeth Whitening

Over-the-counter whitening agents are available for purchase at drug stores and pharmacies. These products can potentially cause harm to the gums and teeth. We suggest dentist monitored whitening for your safety.

Infection controls and universal precautions protect patients and staff. Everyone benefits from rigorous infection control — you, your dentist, and the dental team. The cornerstone in a good and safe dental practice is the element of trust. You should feel free to discuss this topic with Dr. Chanin.

Dr. Chanin and our entire team follow procedures recommended by several federal agencies: the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These measures include:

• Disinfectant hand soap
• Gloves and face masks
• Chemical disinfection of countertops and all surfaces
• Sterilization of all equipment before every use
• Disposable materials

Our office sterilizes all reusable equipment, including dental hand pieces. We use an autoclave, a device that kills bacteria and viruses by steam, heat and pressure.

The best defense against disease is information. The more you know, the better equipped you are to make wise decisions about your health care. The more you know about our daily procedures and policies, the more comfortable you will feel.

Tooth extraction is a minor dental procedure. We suggest that you follow a few simple rules to help promote healing, prevent complications, and make yourself more comfortable.

Anesthetics

The length of time you experience numbness varies, depending on the type of anesthetic you have received. While your mouth is numb, you will want to be careful not to bite your lip, cheek or tongue. The numbness should subside within a few hours. Do not eat until the numbness wears off.

Bleeding

We will place a gauze pack on the extraction site to limit bleeding and while clotting takes place. This gauze pack should be left in place for 30 to 45 minutes after you leave the office. Do not chew on the pack. There may be some bleeding or oozing after the pack is removed. If so, follow this procedure:

Fold a piece of clean gauze into a pad thick enough to bite on. Dampen the pad and place it directly on the extraction site.
Apply moderate pressure by closing the teeth firmly over the pad. Maintain this pressure for about 30 minutes. If the pad becomes soaked, replace it with a clean damp one as necessary.
Do not suck on the extraction site.
A slight amount of blood may leak at the extraction site until a clot forms. However, if heavy bleeding continues, call our office.
Avoid smoking for 24-48 hours.

The Blood Clot

After the extraction, a blood clot forms in the tooth socket. This clot is an important part of the normal healing process. You should therefore avoid activities that might disturb the clot. Here’s how to protect it:

Do not smoke, rinse your mouth vigorously, or drink through a straw for 24 hours. These activities create suction in the mouth, which could dislodge the clot and delay healing.
Do not clean the teeth next to the healing tooth socket for the rest of the day. You should, however, brush and floss your other teeth thoroughly. Gently rinse your mouth afterward.
Limit strenuous activity for 24 hours after the extraction. This will reduce bleeding and help the blood clot to form.
If you have stitches we will instruct you when to return to have them removed, if necessary.

Medication

Our office may prescribe medication to control pain and prevent infection. Use it only as directed. If the medication prescribed does not seem to work for you, do not increase the dosage. If you have prolonged or severe pain, swelling, bleeding, or fever call our office immediately. We will give you exact instructions on how to care for your problem.

Swelling and Pain

After a tooth is removed, you may have some discomfort and notice some swelling. You can help reduce swelling and pain by applying cold compresses to the face. An ice bag or cold, moist cloth can be used periodically. The dentist may give you specific instructions on how long and how often to use a cold compress. We may also give you an ice pack to use on your way home from the office.

Diet

After the extraction eat soft foods. Avoid alcoholic beverages and hot liquids. Begin eating solid foods the next day or as soon as you can chew foods comfortably. For about two days, try to chew food on the side opposite the surgical site. If you are troubled by nausea and vomiting, call our office for advice.

Rinsing

The day after the extraction, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in an 8 oz. glass of warm water). Rinsing after meals is important to keep food particles out of the extraction site, but remember not to rinse your mouth vigorously. Avoid using a mouth rinse or mouthwash containing alcohol during this early healing period.

Oral Hygeine

It is important to continue to floss your teeth and brush thoroughly at least twice a day using an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. The tongue should also be brushed. This will help eliminate the bad breath and unpleasant taste. Always use a soft-bristled brush so that you do not injure the tissues in your mouth. Following extraction, gently clean the area adjacent to the healing tooth socket for several days after the procedure.