Post-op Advice

TEETH WHITENING

Advice and precautions

• Brush your teeth and floss before each treatment to remove as much plaque as possible from your teeth and between your teeth.
• Avoid eating or smoking while wearing the trays. It is also best not to smoke during the entire treatment period.
• Avoid foods and beverages that stain teeth (red wine, coffee, tea, tomato sauce, etc.)
• during treatment. It is also recommended to avoid these foods for the first few days after treatment.

Side effects

You may experience sensitivity or a tingling or burning sensation in your gums. The gums or inside of the lips may also become temporarily discolored, but this usually resolves after a few minutes or hours. These effects mainly occur when too much product is used and it spills out of the trays, which is why it is important to use the recommended amount and wipe off any excess product with a tissue or soft cloth.

Treatment duration

The duration of treatment varies depending on individual needs and conditions. In general, it takes a minimum of two weeks for the treatment to take effect. It is also recommended that you have touch-ups every 6 to 9 months, ideally after your regular professional cleaning.

ORAL SURGERY AND TOOTH EXTRACTIONS

Bleeding

It is normal to experience bleeding after surgery. To stop the bleeding, bite down on the cotton pads provided by your dentist for one to two hours after the procedure. It is important to change the cotton pads every thirty minutes or when they become saturated with blood. If bleeding persists beyond this time, take a gauze pad or a slightly moistened tea bag and bite down on it for 20 minutes. It is also important not to drink or eat anything until the bleeding has completely stopped.

Diet

You can resume eating and drinking as soon as the bleeding stops. Choose lukewarm foods that are easy to chew and avoid eating on the side of the surgery or extraction. Avoid hot or spicy foods. You can resume your normal diet as soon as you feel comfortable.

General precautions

• Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol for several days after the procedure.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity; take time to recover after the procedure.
• Avoid rinsing your mouth vigorously or spitting.
• Avoid drinking through a straw.

Dental hygiene

You can resume brushing your teeth on the day of the surgery. However, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently. Be careful not to brush the surgical site or extraction site to avoid weakening the stitches.

Medication

If you have been prescribed antibiotics, it is very important to take them for the full course, even if your symptoms or pain disappear. Take painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication for the first three days after the procedure. After that, they should only be taken as needed. If you experience any side effects, stop using the medication and contact us as soon as possible.

Healing

To disinfect the surgical site and prevent the growth of bacteria that could cause infection and/or interfere with healing, rinse your mouth three times a day with warm water and salt (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of water).Start this procedure the day after the procedure and repeat it until healing is complete.

Swelling and bruising

To reduce swelling, apply ice to the cheek for 20 minutes every hour on the day of the surgery. Continue applying ice for the next few days if the swelling persists. However, it should gradually subside. The same is true for any bruising that may occur; it usually disappears within five to seven days.

Pain

It is normal to experience some pain in the first few hours or even days after surgery. However, if the pain persists after three days, cannot be controlled with pain medication, or if it worsens, please call us immediately.

INSTALLATION OF A CROWN OR BRIDGE

Diet

• Avoid hot beverages while you are still under the effects of the anesthetic.
• Avoid sticky and hard foods such as chewing gum and candy.
• In the days following the installation of the crown or bridge, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth.

Dental hygiene

• Brush your teeth as usual. However, be careful not to apply too much pressure on the crown or bridge, especially in the days following installation.
• Use a floss threader so you can get under the bridge.
• Once the crown or bridge is in place, be sure to remove the dental floss from the side and not by pulling it up toward the tooth, as this may cause it to come loose.

General tips

• It is normal to experience slight sensitivity, which should subside over time.
• If it persists, tell your dentist.
• If a temporary crown or bridge comes loose, contact us so we can reattach it as soon as possible. This will prevent other teeth from moving and ensure optimal conditions for the replacement tooth.
• If you experience pain, have difficulty closing your mouth, are unable to eat normally, or have any other questions, contact us immediately.

DENTAL IMPLANTS

Medication

To relieve pain, take the painkillers and/or anti-inflammatory medication prescribed by your dentist for the first three days after the procedure. After that, take them only as needed. If your dentist has not prescribed anything, you can take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen. Again, it is important to follow the dosage instructions.

If you have been prescribed antibiotics, take them until the end of the treatment, even if you no longer feel any pain or symptoms of infection. If you experience any side effects, stop using them and contact our team immediately.

Swelling and bruising

It is normal to notice some swelling. This should peak after 48 to 72 hours. To control it, you can apply ice for about 20 minutes every hour for the first 24 hours after surgery. After that, we recommend using warm compresses. Bruising may also appear in the days following the procedure. This should subside after one to two weeks.

Bleeding

To stop bleeding, apply pressure to the surgical site by biting down on sterile cotton pads. If bleeding persists, you can bite down on a tea bag for about 20 minutes. It is also normal to see a clot at the implant site. This is beneficial to the healing process. Therefore, it should be kept in place by avoiding spitting, drinking through a straw, or smoking for 48 hours after surgery.

Diet

It is important to eat a soft diet for 24 hours after the procedure, or even a little longer. After that, avoid very hot, spicy, or acidic foods and beverages (tomatoes, citrus fruits, apple juice, etc.). The same goes for raw vegetables, croutons, steaks, and leafy vegetables, which could cause a shearing effect.

Dental hygiene

You can quickly resume your dental hygiene routine using a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoiding brushing the implant.

General advice

• In the first few days after implantation, raise your head when lying down or sleeping.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity or exertion for 72 hours after the procedure.
• Avoid alcohol for 72 hours and smoking for two weeks after the implant.
• Use the chlorhexidine formula prescribed by your dentist or a mixture of warm water and a teaspoon of salt to rinse your mouth.
• Two weeks after the procedure, see your dentist for a follow-up appointment.
• They will then remove any remaining stitches. However, these may have dissolved on their own before your appointment.
• If you experience increased or persistent pain or uncontrolled bleeding, contact us as soon as possible.