Post Operative Care
Extractions
- 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 20 minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 20 minutes.
- 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 the extraction site with toothbrush for 48hours. These activities will dislodge or dissolve the clot and slow 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 applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. Take pain medications as prescribed. Swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.
- Use the pain medication as directed. Call the office if the medication doesn’t seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them as indicated by your dentist, 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 twice a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.
- After a few days you can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, please call our office immediately on
(07) 5541 2296.
Restorations
- Try and avoid eating on a new filling until all the numbness has gone.
- Often you can bite on your lip or tongue while numb and this can cause serious injury to soft tissue so it's important that you remind yourself to steer clear of playing with these areas while numb.
- Cold and heat sensitivity and gum soreness may be experiences, however this usually subsides within a few days.
- It is important to resume your normal dental routine. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.
- If you are experiencing pain or discomfort for more than a few days after your appointment, or if you have any questions, feel free to contact our office on (07) 5541 2296.
Root Canal Treatment
- Some discomfort, sensitivity and in some cases, pain may be experienced for a few days following root canal treatment. The healing process can take several days and in some cases, the dentist will prescribe medication to help with this process.
- As root canal treatment is done in stages, often there is a temporary restoration placed on the tooth. It is important to be gentle with this temporary material until the permanent restoration is placed.
- Whenever anesthesia is used, avoid chewing on teeth until the numbness has worn off. You can try and chew with the opposite side.
- It is important to resume your normal dental routine. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.
- Continue root canal treatment as advised by your dentist. Any unnecessary delays in placement of the root filling and permanent restoration may damage the tooth.
- If you are experiencing pain or discomfort for more than a few days after your appointment, or if you have any questions, feel free to contact our office on (07) 5541 2296.
Deep Cleaning
- It is common to experience some cold and heat sensitivity, especially after periodontal cleaning.
- Whenever anesthesia is used, avoid chewing on teeth until the numbness has worn off.
- Some bleeding for a day or two after cleaning is normal, however excessive bleeding isn't and you should contact the dentist immediately if you experience this.
- It is important to resume your normal dental routine. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.
- If you are experiencing pain or discomfort for more than a few days after your appointment, or if you have any questions, feel free to contact our office on (07) 5541 2296.
Tooth Whitening
Preparation of bleaching tray:
- Thoroughly brush and floss your teeth prior to using the tooth whitening gel.
- Remove the cap from the Pola Day/Night tube and attach the syringe tip.
- Squeeze a small dot (¼ of a pea size) amount of the gel evenly into each tooth imprint and into the deepest surface toward the lip side of the tray.
- Seat the tray completely and firmly over the teeth. Using a toothbrush or Q-tip, gently remove any excess gel that may have flowed beyond the edge of the tray. You may gently rinse your mouth taking care not to swallow.
Treatment Regimen:
- Pola Night (high concentration 22%) is usually used for 45min-1hr during the day. You may also go about your normal daily routines while wearing the tray. Yet the tray should be removed before eating or drinking.
You are recommended to wear the trays every day/night for a 1 to 2 week period or until desired results are reached.
- If you prefer you can start by whitening the upper teeth first and compare the whitening progress against the lower teeth as a guide. Also, many patients find it more comfortable to wear only one tray at a time. Once you have completed whitening of the upper teeth you may commence the treatment of the lower teeth.
- Once you are ready to remove the tray, brush and rinse the residual gel from the teeth and the tray. Trays should be dried and stored in the case provided in a cool place out of the reach of children or pets.
Tips:
- To protect the bleaching gel, do not expose the syringes to heat and/or sunlight. Store syringes in the fridge.
- As a safety precaution, do not use Pola Day/Night while pregnant or breast-feeding.
- Do not use household products to attempt to whiten your teeth.
- DO NOT SMOKE or use tobacco products while whitening your teeth.
- Take care to avoid high coloured or staining food/beverages during the whitening process e.g beetroot, red wine, curry, tomato based sauces, artificial food colourings, etc.
After care and maintenance:
- Teeth are naturally darker along the gum line. These areas may require more time to lighten than the rest of the tooth surface and usually remain slightly darker after treatment. Coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco and other products can prevent an optimal whitening effect and will re-stain your teeth over time.
- A small percentage of patients experience tooth sensitivity with home bleaching. Should this occur, stop using the product for a few days and then complete the process by whitening every third night.
-If sensitivity remains, please contact Wagner Dental on (07) 5541 2296 for further instructions
Pola Night 22% 3g syringes are available for purchase in reception