At 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 at Pleasanton Office Phone Number 925-425-7545 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 Crown and Bridge Appointments

Crowns and bridges usually take two or three 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 at Pleasanton Office Phone Number 925-425-7545 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 crown but pull the floss out from the side of the temporary 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 Pleasanton Office Phone Number 925-425-7545.

After Tooth Extraction

After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That’s 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. Take pain medications as prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.

Use the pain medication as directed. Call the office at Pleasanton Office Phone Number 925-425-7545 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 Pleasanton Office Phone Number 925-425-7545

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 and 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 at Pleasanton Office Phone Number 925-425-7545

You may chew with your composite fillings as soon as the anesthetic anesthesia? 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 Pleasanton Office Phone Number 925-425-7545.

After Immediate Denture Delivery

The dentures you have received are a replacement for your missing teeth. They will provide better support for your jaw, restore your chewing ability and achieve your desired appearance. Your dentures were made to fit the anticipated shape of your mouth after the removal of the teeth. Modifications to the denture are always necessary and will continue during the healing period. Many changes have occurred at one time and it will take time to become adjusted to your new dentures.

The First 24 Hours:

It is VERY IMPORTANT to keep the immediate denture in your mouth until your first post-delivery appointment. The denture serves as a dressing to help stop the bleeding. If the denture is removed, you may not be able to replace it due to swelling of the tissue. (If you do feel the need to rinse your denture, you may remove it, rinse it, and put it back in immediately). Plan to wear your denture 24 hours a day for the first week.

Changes of the Mouth: You may experience some of the following commonly known symptoms that occur when an immediate denture is delivered. These symptoms can be resolved once you’ve become more familiar with the new prosthesis and as minor adjustments are made by the doctor:

  • Immediate Swelling 
  • Difficulty Swallowing 
  • Difficulty Chewing
  • Increase in Saliva 
  • Mouth Odor 
  • Gagging
  • Speech Alteration 
  • Minor Bleeding 
  • Discomfort

First Post – Delivery Appointment:

The day after you receive your dentures, Dr. Chao or Dr. Nguyen will see you to adjust the denture for sore areas, the bite and any other initial problems. You will be given further instructions for the use and care of the dentures at this appointment.

Further Appointments:

As you heal and use the dentures during the weeks after surgery, the dentures will occasionally become loose due to the normal shrinkage of the gums from healing. This will be adjusted as needed until healing is complete.

After Final Denture Delivery

The new dentures you have received are a replacement for your missing teeth. They will attempt to restore support to the jaw, increase your chewing ability and improve your appearance. Each person is an individual therefore, please be patient. Your experience will be unlike anyone else. Please allow at least 7-10 days before your dentures feel as though they are part of your body. If you have difficulty with speech at first, practice by reading or talking aloud and you will soon master this skill. It is normal to have difficulty chewing efficiently during your first few meals. Some suggestions are to cut food into small pieces, take small bites, eat slowly and use your back teeth. Tearing into food with your upper front teeth will loosen your upper denture. Learning to use your new denture will take time and patience.

Denture Care:

Always keep your mouth and your denture as clean as possible. Failure to do so may damage your gums. We recommend that you remove and clean the dentures after each meal. You can use regular liquid soap or special denture toothpaste to do this. Denture cleansers can be used, but only after you have scrubbed your dentures. Dentures are slippery when wet, so brush them over a basin filled with water, or over a towel. If you should drop and damage the denture, please DO NOT attempt to make your own repairs. When your dentures are out of your mouth, store them in fresh clean water. This prevents the plastic from drying and warping. Develop the habit of examining your mouth in the mirror. This is the best insurance against oral diseases and damage to your tissue.

Return Appointments:

Your first scheduled appointment after receiving your new dentures is a very important office visit. Drs. Chao or Nguyen will treat any sore tissues or make adjustments that may need to be done at that time. Several return appointments may be necessary until you are completely comfortable. Dentures are not a final treatment. Your gums can change or recede. We recommend yearly examinations which include oral cancer screening, evaluation of the fit of the dentures and radiographs every 2 years. Implant attachments may need changing every 6 months to a year. Home remedies for ill fitting dentures will aggravate the situation and probably cause greater bone and tissue loss. If you have any questions or concerns about your dentures or your oral health, please ask Drs. Chao or Nguyen.

After Laser Gum Therapy

Laser therapy is not a standalone treatment but works in conjunction with traditional therapies.  In periodontal laser therapy, your provider uses a laser to access and remove the inflamed gum tissue from around your tooth’s root.  They then remove the tartar and plaque buildup below and around your gumline.  Next, they use a different tool to smooth out any rough spots on your tooth above and below the gumline.  Removing these rough spots mitigates the chance your teeth and gums will attract more bacteria and get future infections.

After laser therapy, your mouth will need time to heal and regenerate.  During this healing process, your gums should be infection-free and be able to tighten back up around your tooth, like a turtleneck that fits nicely around your neck!  

Laser procedures usually result in little discomfort but for the first 24 hours after the surgery you may find it helpful to take Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol) according to the label.  Do not be alarmed if you notice light bleeding, mild swelling, some soreness, or mild tooth sensitivity.

An antibmicrobial rinse like Listerine can be used several times a day to reduce the amount of bacteria in the treated area. 

For the first 24-hour period following surgery, you may want to stick to a liquid or soft food diet.  Stay away from spicy foods and things like chips, popcorn, and pretzels to avoid irritating the surgical site.  Do not use straws to avoid suction for the next couple of days.  Carefully avoid chewing food in the area where the laser was used to avoid interfering with the healing process. 

A good rule to follow is that if it hurts the surgical site, don’t do it.

Smoking is a bad idea in general but particularly bad during healing.  Refrain from smoking for at least 48 hours after the procedure.

Do not be alarmed with any color changes or the appearance of the tissue following the use of the laser. You may notice that the tissue becomes grey, yellow, red, blue, or purple. These are normal responses.

It is okay to spit, rinse, and wash your mouth. Between rinsing with Listerine, you can rinse with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in an 8 oz. glass of warm water).

After the first 24 hours of healing is complete, brush and floss the adjacent teeth normally and gently clean the area where the laser was used using a Q-tip dipped in Listerine.

Do not play with the area using your tongue or cheek. Call us at (925)425-7545 if you experience prolonged severe pain, prolonged or excessive bleeding, or a considerably elevated or persistent temperature.