Fluoride Varnish Post-Op Instructions

After the fluoride varnish treatment, a certain amount will remain on your teeth. To achieve the maximum benefit of treatment, please follow the directions below:

• Wait to Brush: Do not brush or floss your teeth for at least 4 to 6 hours after treatment.

• Avoid Hot Drinks: Do not consume hot drinks as well as products containing alcohol (beverages, mouth rinses, etc.) for 4 to 6 hours.
• Reapply: For maximum benefit, fluoride varnish can be reapplied every 3 to 6 months.

A thorough brushing and flossing will remove any remaining fluoride varnish. Your teeth will return to the same shine and brightness as before the treatment.

Whitening Post-Op Instructions

Diet and Beverage Restrictions

Immediately after your teeth whitening treatment, it is essential to be mindful of your diet to preserve your results and protect your teeth:

• Avoid Staining Foods and Drinks: For the first 48 hours, avoid foods and beverages that are known to stain teeth, including coffee, tea, red wine, dark-colored fruits (such as berries), red sauce, soy sauce, curry, turmeric, and mustard. These substances can cause staining to newly whitened teeth.
• Stick to a “White Diet”: To prevent staining during the first 48 hours, follow a “white diet.” This includes foods like chicken, pasta, potatoes, white rice, plain yogurt, milk, and eggs. These foods are less likely to cause discoloration.

Sensitivity Management

It is common to experience mild sensitivity or gum irritation following a teeth whitening procedure. This sensitivity usually subsides within 24 to 48 hours, but here are a few tips to manage it:

• Use Desensitizing Toothpaste: If you experience sensitivity, use a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. Apply a small amount to your toothbrush and gently brush your teeth twice a day.
• Use Desensitizing Gel: We offer desensitizing gel syringes for use in the whitening trays. You may also try desensitizing toothpaste in the trays.
• Avoid Cold or Hot Foods and Beverages: For the first 24 to 48 hours after treatment, try to avoid consuming extremely cold or hot foods and drinks, as these can cause discomfort in sensitive teeth.
• Avoid Acidic or Sugary Foods and Drinks: Acidic or sugary foods and beverages can further irritate sensitive teeth. Limit your consumption of items like citrus fruits, soda, or candy during the first 48 hours post-treatment.
• Gum Irritation: If you experience slight gum irritation, rinse with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) to soothe your gums.

Crown, Bridge, Onlay Post-Op Instructions

Proper care after a crown has been placed will help prevent dislodging and cavity formation. Routine cleaning and maintenance appointments are recommended every 3 to 6 months, depending on the condition of your gums.

Any numbness you’re experiencing from the anesthetic may last for a few hours following the treatment. Until the anesthetic wears off, be careful not to drink hot liquids or bite your lip, cheek, or tongue.

While you have your temporary crown, remember to:

• Eat soft foods and avoid sticky foods like chewing gum and caramel candies.
• Be gentle when brushing and refrain from flossing with floss picks until your permanent restoration is in place.
• Use a salt water rinse to reduce symptoms such as minor bleeding or swelling.
• Should the temporary crown become dislodged, book an appointment to have it replaced as soon as possible. Waiting too long can cause the teeth to shift and the crown to fit incorrectly.

Once you receive your permanent crown, remember to:

• Brush and floss your crown daily, just as you would your natural teeth.
• Look out for abnormal symptoms. While it’s normal to experience some sensitivity to cold, you shouldn’t feel any throbbing or consistent pain.
• Use a salt water rinse to help with any short-term soreness or cold sensitivity.
• If your bite feels uneven following the treatment, call our office for an appointment to make adjustments.

Fillings Post-Op Instructions

Any numbness you’re experiencing from the anesthetic may last for a few hours following the treatment. Until the anesthetic wears off, be careful not to drink hot liquids or bite your lip, cheek, or tongue. Children should be watched carefully to make sure they don’t do this.

• Oral Care: Brush and floss your teeth daily.
• Discomfort: Look out for abnormal symptoms. While it’s normal to experience some sensitivity to cold or gum soreness, you shouldn’t feel any throbbing or consistent pain. Mild sensitivity and soreness should resolve in a few days.
• Rinses: Use a salt water rinse to help with any short-term soreness or sensitivity.
• Bite Adjustments: If your bite feels uneven following the treatment, call our office for an appointment to make adjustments.
• Maintain: Routine cleaning and maintenance appointments are recommended every 3 to 6 months, depending on the condition of your gums.

Scaling and Root Planing Post-Op Instructions

Following scaling and root planing, you can expect to notice less redness, less bleeding, and less swelling of your gum tissue. Your gum health can then be maintained with proper home care and regular professional care every 3 to 4 months. 

Your gums may feel a little sore after the anesthesia wears off. This typically will resolve within a day or two. As your gums, heal they will shrink, possibly exposing root surfaces to the oral environment, and you may experience some sensitivity to cold water or air. This is normal, and with continued home care, sensitivity should resolve. You also may notice a reduction in tenderness, redness, swelling, and bleeding. These are all signs of healthier gum tissues. 

To minimize the discomfort and aid proper healing following your treatment, we suggest the following: 

• Medication: After the procedure, take medication as directed before the anesthetic wears off. This may include over-the-counter medication such as aspirin, Tylenol (acetaminophen), or Advil (ibuprofen). Discuss amount and frequency with your doctor.
• Salt Water Rinse: Rinse with a warm salt-water solution (mix ½ teaspoon salt in 8 oz. warm water) two or three times per hour for the next day or two. 
• Oral Rinse: If you have been prescribed or provided an oral rinse to be used as an aid to maintaining proper oral hygiene at home, it is important to follow the instructions on the bottle for use and incorporate it into your daily regimen of home care.
• Oral Care: Use a soft toothbrush at least two times a day. Be gentle and clean thoroughly. Slight bleeding may occur while brushing as the tissues begin to heal.
• Food and Drink: Avoid strong, spicy seasonings and hard foods for the next few days. Avoid alcohol for the next few days.
• Sensitivity: If sensitivity to cold occurs, use a desensitizing toothpaste (Sensodyne), or prescription fluoride gel (PreviDent or Clinpro) at least 4 times per day for 1 to 2 weeks.
• Cleaning Aids: Faithfully use any other oral hygiene aids that have been recommended (floss, Proxabrush, rubber tip, Sonicare/Oral-B, Waterpik, mouthrinse, etc).
• Smoking/Tobacco: Refrain from all tobacco products, including but not limited to: smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco for 24 hours or longer. Tobacco interferes with healing.
• Maintain: Lastly, please be diligent about returning for your recall hygiene appointments. Continuing care is critical to preventing relapse and additional scaling and root planing treatments.

Dry Mouth (Xerostomia) Instructions

Causes of dry mouth can include dehydration, medication use, autoimmune diseases (e.g., Sjögren disease), toxicity of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy of the head and neck, other chronic diseases (uncontrolled diabetes, infections, hormonal changes), and nerve damage.

Dry mouth and reduced saliva flow can cause difficulties in tasting, chewing, swallowing, and speaking; it can also increase the chance of developing cavities, demineralization or softening of teeth, tooth sensitivity, and/or oral infections.

General Palliative/Preventive Interventions

Management of dry mouth includes adequate hydration, lifestyle modifications, and preventive measures, including topical fluoride, saliva substitutes, and use of sugar-free gum/mints. Examples of coping strategies for relieving dry mouth include:

• sipping water or sugarless, caffeine-free drinks
• sucking on ice chips
• using lip lubricants frequently (e.g., every two hours)
• chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candy
• avoiding salty or spicy food or dry, hard-to-chew foods
• avoiding sticky, sugary foods
• avoiding irritants such as alcohol (including alcohol-containing mouthrinses), tobacco, and caffeine
• drinking fluids while eating carefully
• using a humidifier at night

Dental and oral health-specific recommendations from the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research and others include the following for patients with dry mouth:

• brush teeth gently at least twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste
• floss teeth every day
• schedule dental visits at least twice a year (with yearly bitewing radiographs)
• use of a prescription-strength fluoride gel (0.4% stannous fluoride, 1.1% sodium fluoride) daily to help prevent dental decay
• prompt treatment of oral fungal or bacterial infections
• application of 0.5% fluoride varnish to teeth 
• dental soft- and hard-tissue relines of poorly fitting prostheses and use of denture adhesives