Home Care Instructions

After Cosmetic Reconstruction

Remember that it will take time to adjust to the feel of your new bite. When the bite is altered or the position of the teeth is changed it takes several days for the brain to recognize the new position of your teeth or their thickness as normal. If you continue to detect any high spots or problems with your bite, call our office so we can schedule an adjustment appointment.

It is normal to experience some hot and cold sensitivity. The teeth require some time to heal after removal of tooth structure and will be sensitive in the interim. Your gums may also be sore for a few days. Warm salt water rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) three times a day will reduce pain and swelling. A mild pain medication (one tablet of Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Motrin) every 3-4 hours) should ease any residual discomfort.

Don’t be concerned if your speech is affected for the first few days. You’ll quickly adapt and be speaking normally. You may notice increased salivation. This is because your brain is responding to the new size and shape of your teeth. This should subside to normal in about a week.

Daily brushing and flossing are a must for your new dental work. Daily plaque removal is critical for the long-term success of your new teeth, as are regular cleaning appointments.

Any food that can crack, chip or damage a natural tooth can do the same to your new teeth. Avoid hard foods and substances (such as beer nuts, peanut brittle, ice, fingernails, or pencils) and sticky candies. Smoking will stain your new teeth. Minimize or avoid foods that stain such as coffee, red wine, tea and berries.

If you engage in sports let us know so we can make a custom mouthguard. If you grind your teeth at night, wear the night guard we have provided for you. Adjusting to the look and feel of your new smile will take time. If you have any problems or concerns, please let us know. We always welcome your questions.

After Dental Crown and Dental Bridge Appointments

Dental crowns and dental bridges usually take two appointments to complete. In the first visit, the teeth are prepared and molds of the mouth are taken. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the custom restoration is being made. Since the teeth will be anesthetized, the tongue, lips and roof of the mouth may be numb. Please refrain from eating and drinking hot beverages until the numbness is completely worn off.

Occasionally a temporary crown may come off. Call us if this happens and bring the temporary crown with you so we can re-cement it. It is very important for the temporary to stay in place, as it will prevent other teeth from moving and compromising the fit of your final restoration.

To keep your temporaries in place, avoid eating sticky foods (gum), hard foods, and if possible, chew on the opposite side of your mouth. It is important to brush normally, but floss carefully and don’t pull up on the floss which may dislodge the temporary but pull the floss out from the side of the temporary dental crown.

It is normal to experience some temperature and pressure sensitivity after each appointment. The sensitivity should subside a few weeks after the placement of the final restoration. Mild pain medications may also be used as directed by our office.

If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at 434-374-2137.

After Tooth Extraction

After tooth extraction, its important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. Thats why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times.

After the blood clot forms, it is important not to disturb or dislodge the clot as it aids healing. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. These activities will dislodge or dissolve the clot and retard the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours as this will increase blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.

After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.

Use the pain medication as directed. Call the office if the medication doesn’t seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluid and eat nutritious soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.

It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least once a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.

After a few days you will feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately at 434-374-2137, or call the emergency number 434-738-5012.

After Composite Fillings (white fillings)

When an anesthetic has been used, your lips and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid any chewing and hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off. It is very easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while you are numb.

It is normal to experience some hot, cold & pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Injection sites may also be sore. Ibuprofen (Motrin), Tylenol or aspirin (one tablet every 3-4 hours as needed for pain) work well to alleviate the tenderness. If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days or if the sensitivity to hot or cold increases, contact our office.

You may chew with your composite fillings as soon as the anesthetic completely wears off, since they are fully set when you leave the office.

If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at 434-374-2137.

After Dental Implants

As your appointment date with Dr. Young for placement of dental implants  approaches, it becomes more important to take excellent care of yourself:

  • Eat a liquid diet the first 6 hours following surgery unless otherwise directed
  • Avoid strenuous work or exercise for one week after surgery : heavy lifting, jogging, tennis, aerobics, sit-ups
  • Take prescribed medications as directed and finish all antibiotics
  • Drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest during the first 48 hours
  • Elevate the head with 2-3 pillows the first 24 hours including at night
  • Maintain excellent nutrition during the healing period

Things to Avoid after Surgery

After placement of your dental implant, it is important to follow these homecare instructions:

  • Do not smoke after surgery: smoking hinders the healing process and can cause complications leading to the failure of the implants and bone grafts
  • Avoid chewing hard foods for 6 months after surgery

Normal Healing Process:

  • Swelling around the mouth and face is normal and may peak around the third day
  • Bruising around the face can occur and will fade within one week
  • Nose bleeds in upper jaw implant placement can occur in some patients

Abnormal Healing:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Fever greater than 101F
  • Any reactions to prescribed medications
  • Persistent and/or severe pain
  • Any questions or concerns during the healing process, please call our office 434-374-2137 or cell 434-738-5010

After Perio Therapy

Deep scaling and Root Planning

Sequence of appointments:

Your first appointment we will take a series of x-rays and begin treating the periodontal disease of the left side. You will be numb on the top and bottom of your left side. In about one to two weeks we will repeat the same procedure on your right side. After both sides have been completed your next appointment will be approximately 6 weeks later, called a 6week PT.

What to expect after perio therapy:

Your mouth may feel sore and tender after the treatment. Continue brushing and flossing teeth after each meal. Rinse with warm salt water every few hours to aid with any tenderness. Pain medication may be suggested if you need it.

What to expect at 6 week PT:

At this time we will polish away any stain that may have accumulated on the teeth. We will re-evaluate all areas to ensure that all areas of mouth are healing as expected. At this time you may be taken off any oral rinses that you may be on.

Brushing:

In a cup or the palm of your hand, mix a teaspoon of baking soda and a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide into a paste. Brush with this mixture with a soft toothbrush, concentrating at the gum line.

You may add Listerine or Scope to the mixture to add a fresh taste.

Avoid substituting toothpaste that has baking soda and peroxide in it since this concentration of ingredients is not strong enough.

Flossing and Interdental Aids:

  • Floss between all teeth at least once a day.
  • Use any other aids given to you in between the teeth at least once a day.

Prescriptions: 

Peridex Oral Rinse

This is an antiplaque mouth rinse. Please rinse with this two times a day after brushing and flossing teeth. You will remain on this until tissue has healed and periodontal disease is under control. For some this is 3 weeks for some it is much longer.
NOTE: Minor staining of the teeth may occur with this rinse. The less plaque accumulation the less stain accumulation. The stain will be gently removed after completion of procedure.

Pre and Post-Operative Medications

ANTIBIOTICS:

KEFLEX 500mg.
Take 2 capsules after surgery and then 1 capsule four times a day until gone.

ANTIPLAQUE RINSE:

PERIDEX ORAL RINSE

Rinse with oz. two times a day. (After you have brushed your teeth.)

SWELLING CONTROL:

MEDROL DOSEPAK

Take as instructed on the package. Please take all six tablets the first day.