John F Messina DDS
"The Dental Family for your Family's Dental Needs"
Est. 1989
Extractions
Do not disturb the wound. By doing so you may invite irritation, infection, and/or bleeding. Please be sure to chew on the opposite side of your mouth during the first 24 hours. Also remember to keep any objects such as eating utensils away from the extraction site.
Do not smoke. Please refrain from smoking for at least 12 hours after your extraction. Smoking will promote bleeding and can interfere with the healing process.
Brushing: please refrain from brushing for the first 8 hours after your extraction. After 8 hours, you may brush your teeth gently, however, please remember to avoid the extraction site.
Mouthwash: please avoid all rinsing for 24 hours after your extraction. Avoidance of rinsing is to insure the formation of a healing blood clot. If the clot is lost, a dry socket may occur. Warm salt water or mild antiseptic rinses may be used after 24 hours under the discretion of the dentist.
Do not spit or suck through a straw. This will promote bleeding and may dislodge the blood clot which could result in a dry socket.
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Pain: some discomfort is normal after an extraction. Analgesic tablets (i.e. Aspirin, Tylenol, etc.) may be taken under the direction of the dentist. If the dentist has given you a prescription, please take this medication as directed. If pain continues or becomes unbearable, please contact the office.
Swelling: to prevent or minimize swelling, apply an ice pack or a cold towel to the outside of your face in the area of the extraction during the first 12 hours. Apply the ice pack or towel alternately, 20 minutes on then 20 minutes off, for an hour or longer if necessary.
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Diet: eat normal meals as soon as you are able after surgery. Cold, soft food, such as ice cream or yogurt may be the most comfortable for the first day. It is also very important to drink plenty of fluids.
Bleeding: Upon completion of your procedure, you will be given a package containing sterilized gauze. A rolled up gauze pad will be placed by the dentist at the completion of your surgery. You will be asked to change this dressing every 20 minutes or so depending upon the amount of bleeding that is occurring. When changing the dressing, please fold the gauze in half and in half again and hold firmly in place by biting down or with finger pressure for approximately 20 minutes. If bleeding continues, you may fold a tea bag in half and bite down on it. Tea contains tannic acid which can assist in the reduction of bleeding. Please remember that it is normal for some blood to ooze from the extraction site for several hours. If you are concerned about the amount of bleeding or the length of bleeding, you may contact the office.
Composite Fillings
Your filling was hardened with a high intensity light, so you are able to use it right away.
You may not be able to see your filling, as it will match the color of your tooth.
You may experience some sensitivity the first few days following your treatment, which will gradually disappear.
Any anesthetia should wear off within a few hours of your procedure. Make sure not to bite your tongue or cheek. Also, do not eat or drink anything extremely hot or cold until the anesthetic has worn off.
Your filling may feel a little different at first, however, it will become smoother after use.
Do not chew extremely hard or crunchy foods with your new filling
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Do not bite anything with your teeth that can damage them (i.e. nails, pens, etc.)
Make sure that you're cleaning the filling meticulously. To prevent any new fillings from being needed, they must be kept plaque free with daily brushing and flossing. Also be sure to see your dentist twice yearly to prevent problems.
Root Canals
Do not disturb the root canal site. By doing so you may invite irritation, infection, and/or bleeding. Please be sure to chew on the opposite side of your mouth during the first 24 hours. Also remember to keep any objects such as eating utensils away from the site.
Food: do not eat anything until the numbness has worn off. The root canalled tooth will have a temporary filling material that can be dislodged if you eat hard, gritty foods on this temporary filling.
Pain: pain control after a root canal treatment is usually achieved with over the counter pain medication such as aspirin, Motrin, or, Aleve. You may experience jaw and muscle soreness, in which case, either prescribed medication or over the counter pain medication can be used to treat it. Make sure to take all medications as prescribed. Do not operate machinery, drive, or make important decisions while taking narcotic pain medications.
A root canal treated tooth will usually feel tender for one week and strange for 2-4 weeks.
It is vitally important to have a crown placed soon after your root canal is completed, to prevent fracture or splitting of the root canalled tooth.
Crowns
While your mouth is still numb, try not to eat anything and avoid all hot liquids.
Your gum tissue will be tender until after the anesthetic has worn off. Please make sure you keep the gum tissue clean, so as to promote quicker healing. If the area is too tender to brush with a toothbrush, use a q-tip that has been saturated in warm water to clean the area. Also, make sure you are flossing daily.
If after the numbness has worn off, you notice that your bite is off or feels rough, make sure to call the office right away. We will get you in as soon as possible and hopefully fix any discomfort.
You may experience some mild temperature sensitivity which will usually disappear within one to two weeks.
Amalgam Fillings
The silver filling placed in your tooth will not reach its final hardness for a period of approximately 24 hours.
Wait a few hours after your filling is placed before eating. After that point, soft foods are suggested until the next day. Do not chew on the side that the filling is placed on for the remainder of that day.
Make sure not to floss near the new filling until the day after it is placed. You may brush this area normally.
You may experience some sensitivity the first few days following your treatment, which will gradually disappear.
Any anesthetia should wear off within a few hours of your procedure. Make sure not to bite your tongue or cheek. Also, do not eat or drink anything extremely hot or cold until the anesthetic has worn off.
Your filling may feel a little different at first, however, it will become smoother after use.
Do not chew extremely hard or crunchy foods with your new filling. Do not bite anything with your teeth that can damage them (i.e. nails, pens, etc.)
Make sure that you're cleaning the filling meticulously. To prevent any new fillings from being needed, they must be kept plaque free with daily brushing and flossing. Also be sure to see your dentist twice yearly to prevent problems.