Patient Instructions

• Wait until the numbness from the anesthesia has fully worn off before eating or chewing.
• If supervising a child who has had treatment, ensure they do not eat, chew, or bite their lips or tongue while numb, as this can cause serious injury.
• Avoid sticky, crunchy, or hard foods for 24 hours.
• Mild sensitivity to cold, heat, or soreness is normal and should subside within a few days.
• Contact our dental office if pain or discomfort persists for more than just a few days.

• Dentures and partials may need multiple adjustments to ensure a comfortable fit.
• Practice reading aloud daily to help yourself get used to wearing dentures.
• Remove your dentures for at least 6 hours a day, or overnight, to allow your mouth and gums to rest.
• Clean your dentures thoroughly at night and store them in a clean container with denture cleaning solution.
• Food particles can get trapped under the dentures, leading to soreness or irritation. Gently brush your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth after removing them.
• Feeling discomfort for a few days after getting your final dentures or partials is normal.

Ongoing Care:

• Brush your teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues after each meal or snack, and floss at least once daily before bed. If you wear full dentures, brush them thoroughly every day.
• Rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash to remove any particles missed during brushing and flossing.
• Schedule a visit to our office at least once each year to have your partial dentures or dentures adjusted and checked by a professional. Wearing ill-fitting dentures or partial dentures without proper care can lead to jawbone loss and oral health issues.
• If you experience pain or discomfort or have concerns about your dentures or partials, don’t hesitate to call our office for assistance.

• You may experience some sensitivity to cold and heat during the first 24 hours.
• Avoid hot foods or drinks until the anesthesia has fully worn off.
• Refrain from intense physical activity and extremely hot or spicy foods for the first day.
• Do not consume alcohol or smoke for at least 48 hours after treatment.
• Light bleeding after a deep cleaning is normal, but contact our office if bleeding becomes excessive.
• Use medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed on the label or by your doctor to manage discomfort.
• Rinse with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water) three times a day to promote healing.
• Brush and floss gently after your deep cleaning and return to normal oral care once soreness subsides.
• Follow any additional instructions provided during your visit.
• Take all prescribed medications as directed.

• Avoid eating or drinking for about 30 minutes after your treatment to allow the temporary filling to harden. Try not to touch the treated tooth with your tongue during this time.
• If you received prescriptions, have them filled promptly and follow the instructions provided. If no prescriptions were given, you can take ibuprofen (e.g., Advil or Motrin) or Tylenol to manage discomfort and swelling, as long as you have no allergies to these medications. Always follow the specific dosage guidelines on the label. If pain continues or you cannot manage it, please call our office.
• You can apply a cold compress near the treatment area to reduce possible swelling. Use a cloth between your skin and the ice pack to avoid direct contact. Apply the compress for up to 20 minutes, then remove it for at least 20 minutes. Repeat as needed for the next 6–8 hours.
• Once you begin eating and drinking again, please refrain from biting or chewing in the treated area until your restoration is complete. The temporary filling or crown placed after your root canal is made of a soft composite material that can crack easily. Avoid chewing hard foods like peanuts, pretzels, hard candy, or ice to prevent damage. You may also notice increased sensitivity before your final restoration is placed. It’s important to see a restorative dentist for a permanent filling or crown within a month. Schedule your appointment as soon as possible, as waiting longer increases the risk of the temporary restoration fracturing or decay developing in the area.
• Keep the treated area clean by both brushing and flossing gently regularly.
• Temporary fillings rarely fall out, though they may wear down slightly with use. If yours does fall out, contact your dentist as soon as possible. If it happens after hours, you can purchase temporary filling material from a local pharmacy and follow the instructions to cover the area until your next appointment.
• Some discomfort is normal for two or so days after root canal therapy. In some situations, the tooth and the surrounding tissue may remain sore for a few weeks.
• Continue brushing and flossing as usual unless instructed otherwise. Follow any additional instructions given during your visit and take all prescribed medications as directed.
• Schedule a follow-up appointment for a crown as soon as possible. It is important to have the restoration placed within a month to protect the treated tooth and reduce the risk of fracture or decay in that area.

This Section Is Very Important, So Please Read It Carefully

Flare-ups are uncommon, affecting about 5% of cases, but can cause significant discomfort. They typically occur in teeth that are highly irritated, infected, or have a history of prior treatment. Occasionally, flare-ups can happen randomly, even in patients who have had root canals without issues before. Symptoms may include moderate to severe pain, throbbing, swelling, or even general discomfort. If you notice any of these, please contact our office immediately. Additional treatment, such as antibiotics or an in-office examination, may be necessary.

Do

• To put in your aligners, use your fingers for better control. Start by positioning them on your front teeth, then carefully push them down over your back molars.
• Ensure that the aligners fit tightly against your teeth, eliminating any spaces between them and the tops of your teeth. They may feel tight at first, but should fit comfortably by the end of the two-week wear period.
• Wear your aligners at all times except when eating, brushing, or flossing. Remove them when drinking warm or hot beverages like coffee or tea.
• To remove your aligners, pull them off both sides of your back teeth simultaneously, then lift them off your front teeth.
• Store your clear aligners in the case provided whenever they are not in use.
• Clean your dental aligner trays with a toothbrush and toothpaste regularly.
• Wear each aligner set for two weeks unless instructed otherwise by our office.
• Follow the numerical order of aligners (each aligner is labeled with a number and a U or L for upper or lower).
• Keep all previous aligners and bring them with you to your appointments.

Do Not

• Avoid placing your dental aligners in a napkin or tissue to prevent accidentally throwing them away.
• Never use your teeth to push your aligners into place.
• Store aligners in a safe place away from pets, since they are drawn to human saliva and might try to chew on them.
• Do not clean your aligners with denture cleaner, bleach, or alcohol.
• Avoid using hot or boiling water on your aligners, as it can damage them.
• Do not chew gum when you have your aligners in.
• Smoking while wearing aligners is not recommended, as it can stain both the aligners and your teeth.

Just in Case

If you happen to lose the tab on your tooth that keeps your aligner in place, please reach out to our office. We will assess whether you need to come in before your scheduled appointment.

Suppose you misplace an aligner tray; put on the next tray you have. If you don’t have that one, go back to wearing the previous tray to help keep your teeth in place. Please call our office to let us know which tray was lost so we can decide if a replacement is needed. Note that replacement trays may incur a fee.

Following Bleaching:

• Teeth are more prone to staining during the first 48 hours after a whitening treatment. To maintain your results, avoid consuming dark-colored foods and drinks that could stain your teeth. If it can stain your clothing, it can stain your teeth.
• Avoid berries, cola or dark sodas, red wine, coffee, tea, tobacco, and dark sauces.