Wearing a mouth guard during sports activities is an essential preventive measure to safeguard your oral health against potential injuries. Engaging in physical sports increases the risk of damaging teeth and jaw, but a properly fitted mouth guard acts as a protective barrier, minimizing the impact of blows and collisions. It’s crucial to maintain the hygiene of your mouth guard by cleaning it before and after each use, storing it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve its integrity. Avoiding exposure to high heat is also vital to prevent warping or damage, ensuring your mouth guard remains effective and comfortable to wear during your sporting endeavors.
Do
- Use your fingers to put your aligners in place. First place the aligners over your front teeth, and then use your fingers to push the aligner down gently over your molars. When aligners are correctly inserted, they will fit all the way down on the teeth, with no space between the top of the aligners and the top of the teeth. Aligners will fit tightly at first but should fit well at the end of the two week period.
- Keep aligners in except when flossing, brushing, eating. It’s also best to remove the aligners when drinking warm beverages such as coffee or tea.
- Remove the aligner by pulling it off both sides of your back teeth simultaneously then lifting it off of your front teeth. Place your aligners in the case we provided any time they are not being worn.
- Clean aligners with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Wear each set of aligners for two weeks unless our office directs you to vary from this schedule.
- Wear aligners in the correct numerical order. (Each aligner is labeled by number and with a U or an L to designate upper or lower.)
- Keep all of your old aligners and bring them to your orthodontic appointments.
Don’t
- Don’t place your aligners in or on a napkin or tissue. Many aligners have accidentally been thrown out this way!
- Don’t use your teeth to “bite” your aligners into place.
- If you have pets, don’t place your aligners anywhere that your pets can reach them. Pets are attracted to saliva and would enjoy chewing on your Invisalign trays!
- Do not use Denture cleaner, alcohol, or bleach to clean your aligners.
- Do not use boiling water or warm water on your aligners.
- Don’t chew gum with your aligners in.
- It would be best not to smoke while wearing aligners. The smoke can stain the aligners as well as your teeth.
Just in Case
- If you lose the tab attached to your tooth that helps the aligner snap on, please call our office right away so that we can determine if you need to come in before your next scheduled appointment.
- If you lose one of your aligner trays, please wear the next tray if you have it. If you do not have the next tray, please wear the previous tray. It is extremely important to use a tray to keep teeth from shifting. Call our office to let us know which tray was lost so that we can determine if a replacement tray is needed. There will be a fee if replacement trays are required.
- Immediately following surgery, maintain pressure on the surgical area by biting down on the provided gauze pad or roll until the bleeding stops. A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following a surgical procedure. Placing the gauze pad over the area and biting firmly will help prevent excessive bleeding. Replace the gauze as necessary until the bleeding stops.
- For a few days following surgery, you may become dizzy when getting up. Sit up slowly, and give yourself a minute to adjust before getting up and walking.
- Avoid vigorous activities for three to four days after surgery. You may go back to your normal routine as tolerated.
- Please fill any prescriptions you have been given and take as directed. If you have been prescribed pain medication other than aspirin, Tylenol or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), do not drive, operate heavy equipment, work around machinery or tools, or engage in any other activity that may be unsafe when groggy, as your reflexes and judgment will be affected by the medication.
- Antibiotics may be prescribed to help prevent infection. If you have been placed on antibiotics, take the medicine as directed.
- Swelling and stiffness are to be expected the first 24 hours after surgery. Swelling around the face, eyes, and surgical site is not uncommon and may become more noticeable two to three days following surgery. Applying a cold compress to the face near the extraction site will help minimize swelling. If using an ice pack, please do not apply ice directly to your skin but place a cloth between the ice and your skin at all times. You may apply the cold compress for up to 20 minutes on and at least 20 minutes off as needed. After 36 hours the cold compress will have no further impact on swelling. After this period, the application of moist heat to the sides of the face can help reduce swelling.
- For 24-48 hours following your surgery, do not suck on a straw, drink from a bottle, rinse, spit, or smoke. Avoid hot and spicy foods, carbonated and alcoholic beverages.
- During the first few days after surgery, restrict your diet to liquids and soft foods such as soups, yogurt, juice, and smoothies.
- Do not rinse, spit, or brush your teeth on the day of surgery. Resume brushing the day after surgery, avoiding surgical sites with the toothbrush.
- After brushing, rinse gently with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt mixed with eight ounces of warm water). Start the salt water rinse the day after surgery and repeat 3 times a day for 7-10 days. This will help keep the surgical areas clean and will also help dissolve the sutures.
- Please do not use the irrigating syringe for the first five days. After five days, fill the syringe with warm salt water and flush out the socket. This will flush out any food or debris.
- If you are experiencing numbness of the lip, chin, or tongue, be aware that this is usually temporary in nature and normal feeling should return after a few days. Until then, please be cautious while eating and chewing in order to avoid accidentally biting your tongue, cheek or lip.
- A dry socket can develop when blood clot gets dislodged prematurely from the walls of the tooth socket. Symptoms of a dry socket include throbbing pain at the surgical site, the ear, chin, adjacent teeth, and/or jaw. These symptoms indicate a dry socket when they occur three to four days following surgery and do not respond to pain medication.
- Please call our office if you experience severe pain, excessive bleeding or swelling, or if you have any questions or concerns. If you are experiencing a serious or life threatening emergency, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.
Following Bleaching:
- Teeth are more susceptible to staining for the first 48 hours following bleaching treatments. For the first 48 hours after whitening, it is best to avoid dark-colored foods or beverages that can stain your teeth. Any item that can stain your clothes can also stain your teeth.
- Avoid berries, cola or other dark sodas, red wine, coffee and tea, tobacco, and ketchup, soy, or other dark sauces.
Following Custom Trays:
- Follow the instructions given by our office, placing the bleaching gel in the center of each tooth position on the tray so that the gel will rest against the anterior surface of the teeth once it is placed in your mouth.
- Wear trays for the recommended time.
- Rinse the mouth, and gently remove any gel remaining on your teeth with a soft bristle toothbrush.
- Clean the trays.
- For the first 24 hours you may experience some cold and heat sensitivity.
- Do not consume hot foods or beverages until the anesthesia and numbness have worn off.
- Avoid vigorous physical exercise as well as extremely hot or spicy foods for the first 24 hours.
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages or smoke for at least 48 hours following treatment.
- Some bleeding following a deep cleaning is normal, but if you experience excessive bleeding, please call our office.
- You can take ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed according to the instructions on the label or those provided by your doctor.
- A warm salt water rinse, approximately one teaspoon in an eight-ounce glass of water, three times a day can be helpful.
- Brush and floss gently following a deep cleaning, resuming normal brushing and flossing when the soreness is gone.
- Follow any other instructions provided by our office during your visit.
- Please take all medications as prescribed.
Please follow the guidelines below and contact us with any questions.
- No eating or drinking for the first 30 minutes following your treatment. Also, avoid feeling around your tooth with your tongue. This is to allow the temporary filling sufficient time to harden.
- If you were given any prescriptions, please have them filled promptly and take them as directed. If no prescriptions were given, you may choose to take ibuprofen medications such as Motrin or Advil (as long as you do not have any allergies to these medications) for alleviation of discomfort and swelling. Alternatively, you may use Tylenol. Do not exceed the guidelines printed on the label for any medication. If you are unable to achieve adequate pain control, please call our office.
- Applying a cold compress to the face near the treatment area will help minimize swelling. If using an ice pack, please do not apply ice directly to your skin but place a cloth between the ice and your skin at all times. You may apply the cold compress for up to 20 minutes on and at least 20 minutes off for the next 6-8 hours as needed.
- Once you resume eating and drinking, avoid chewing or biting on the treatment area until your permanent restoration is placed. The temporary filling or crown placed immediately following root canal treatment is usually a soft composite that is vulnerable to fracturing (cracking). For this reason, it is important to avoid chewing on hard substances such as peanuts, pretzels, hard candy, ice cubes, etc.. You may experience increased sensitivity prior to the placement of the final restoration. You will need to see a restorative dentist within a month to have a permanent crown or filling placed. Please contact your restorative dentist to make an appointment at your earliest convenience. Waiting longer than a month increases the chances that the temporary will fracture or that decay will develop in the affected area.
- Please keep the treated area clean by gently brushing and flossing regularly.
- It is rare for a temporary filling to fall out although it may divot while in use. If the temporary falls out, please contact your general dentist as soon as possible. If your temporary falls out after office hours, you may purchase some temporary filling material from a pharmacy and follow the included instructions to cover the area until you can be seen in our office.
- Some discomfort is normal for 2 to 4 days following root canal therapy. In some cases, the tooth and surrounding tissue may be sore for a few weeks following treatment.
- Please brush and floss as usual unless otherwise instructed by our office. Follow any other instructions provided by our office during your visit. Please take all medications as prescribed.
THIS SECTION IS VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
While flare-ups are rare, they occur in about 5% of cases and may cause significant pain. They generally only occur with teeth that are extremely irritated and/or infected or with teeth that have a history of prior treatment. These sometimes occur randomly, even on patients that have had root canals done in the past without problems. If you have a flare-up, you may experience moderate to severe pain, swelling, throbbing, or general discomfort; please contact our office right away. You may be prescribed additional medication such as antibiotics, and/or you may be asked to come to the office for further treatment.
Instructions Following a Prophy (Cleaning)
Your child may experience some tenderness for a day or two. If this persists, you may have them rinse with warm salt water 2-3 times per day. For discomfort you may also give your child Children’s Tylenol, Advil or Motrin as directed for the age and weight of your child.
Instructions Following Fluoride Treatment
Patients should not rinse, eat, or drink for at least 30 minutes to maximize the fluoride’s direct contact with the teeth.
Instructions Following Sealant Placement
Your child may notice that the tooth feels different because of the new sealant. The teeth and bite will feel normal again in a couple of days. Your child should avoid sticky, crunchy, or hard foods for 24 hours following the placement of the sealant.
1. Some BLEEDING after surgery is normal. If the bleeding is excessive, place gauze or a moistened (not soaked) tea bag over the surgical area and “pinch” the gum line. Apply CONSTANT FIRM PRESSURE for 15 to 30 minutes. After this time has elapsed, if the bleeding continues, repeat the procedure. If bleeding does not cease, call the office or if it is after office hours, please call the emergency number.
2. To minimize swelling apply ICE to the outside of the face adjacent to the surgical site for the first 24 hours after surgery. Use firm pressure for intervals of 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off. The ice is removed periodically to prevent frostbite from occurring.
3. If SWELLING occurs, it will usually start the day after surgery. This is a normal and common occurrence, and it may be accompanied by bruising. Do not be alarmed if swelling occurs. After the first day, keep repeating the icing protocol. If the swelling seems excessive, do not hesitate to call 516-799-2222.
4. After the first night, you should rinse your mouth regularly with salt water (1 cup of warm water to 1 teaspoon salt) or peroxide and water (50:50). This will help healing and promote better breath. It will also make your mouth feel better. If you have high blood pressure, use the peroxide mixture.
5. Soft foods are generally advisable following surgery and for the first few days. Fluids, soups, yogurt, soft cheeses and foods mixed in a blender are all good choices. It is important that you are nourished adequately to promote healing. Return to a normal diet as quickly as possible.
6. If your lips become dry or chapped or if cracks develop at the corners of your mouth, use Vaseline often to soften your lips, especially at bedtime.
7. Start to brush the surgical site after about 5 days. You can soften the bristles of the brush by running them under hot tap water. Be gentle at first and gradually increase the pressure on the bristles, as you feel more comfortable. You can try to floss after about 5 days also.
8. Be certain to take the prescribed antibiotic at the recommended dosage and to return to the office for all scheduled post-operative visits. These will usually be weekly for the first few weeks and monthly until the second stage surgery.
9. Smoking has been shown to delay healing in the mouth and should be completely eliminated for at least the first week or two following the surgery. Smoking after surgery is one possible cause for early implant failure.
In the case of an emergency you may contact Dr. Kaur at 914-980-2682 or Dr. Gewant at 516-376-5442, please leave a message including your name and phone number, and we will call you back.
- Some pain, bleeding, swelling, and seeping is normal following oral surgery. Please do not try to view the site by pulling on your lip and do not probe the area with your tongue or fingers.
- Avoid forcefully rinsing or spitting or drinking through a straw. Biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the wound for 30 minutes will help reduce bleeding. Some bleeding is normal for the first 24 hours. If bleeding continues please call our office.
- Please take all medications, including mouth rinses, as prescribed.
- After 24 hours, warm salt water rinses (one-half teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) can be used 4-5 times a day after meals.
- After 24 hours, brush your teeth with a soft manual toothbrush. Be gentle with brushing the surgical areas.
- Sutures may be placed after the surgery, and most sutures dissolve on their own.
- Swelling and bruising may occur. Applying a cold compress to the face near the surgical site will help minimize swelling. If using an ice pack, please do not apply ice directly to your skin but place a cloth between the ice and your skin at all times. You may apply the cold compress for up to 20 minutes on and at least 20 minutes off as needed. After 36 hours the cold compress will have no further impact on swelling. After this period, the application of moist heat to the sides of the face can help reduce swelling. Alternate the warm pack on and off in 15-minute intervals as needed.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Stay away from spicy or acidic foods. Also avoid sharp and crunchy foods like tacos, chips, and nuts. Tobacco and alcohol should not be used. Alcohol should not be used in combination with pain medications nor antibiotics.
- Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery.
- Do not eat or chew until any numbness from anesthesia has worn off.
- If you are supervising a child who has had treatment, make certain that they are not eating or chewing while numb. Please make sure they do not bite their lips or tongue as doing so can cause serious injury to their soft tissue.
- Avoid sticky, crunchy, or hard foods for 24 hours.
- Sensitivity to cold and heat, as well as any soreness, should not last more than a few days.
- Please call our office if you experience pain or discomfort for more than a few days.