Aftercare Instructions in San Diego, CA

• Do not eat until you are no longer numb, otherwise, you could bite your numb lip, tongue, or cheek. Ensure that a child who is numb also does not eat until their numbness is also gone.
• Some cold sensitivity and soreness of gums may occur for the first few days.
• If your bite feels uncomfortable, wrong, or if the tooth feels too high, or if it is extremely cold sensitive for a week, the filling most probably needs adjustment. Adjustments can be done quickly and do not require anesthetic.
• After a filling, continue with your normal brushing and flossing.
• Please call the office, (858) 278-6444, if you are experiencing pain or discomfort for more than a few days after your fillings, or if you have any questions.

• Do not eat until you are no longer numb, otherwise, you could bite your numb lip, cheek, or tongue.
• If you have a temporary, eat on the opposite side of your mouth.
• Do not floss around the temporary and attempt to chew on it. The temporary could fall off and the tooth becomes very sensitive. Only light brushing around the temporary is recommended.
• If the temporary does fall off, it will need to be placed back in position. You can replace it yourself if you have temporary cement available. Be certain that it is placed on correctly and is not put on backward. If you need assistance with the replacement please call the office and we will have you in to replace the temporary. The temporary does need to be placed back into position so that the affected tooth itself does not move and make it difficult to place the permanent restoration. Please keep the temporary, even if it broke in half, we need to have it.
• For the first few days, it is quite common to experience cold sensitivity and some gum soreness.
• After the permanent restoration is completed, you may feel slight pressure and your bite may feel different for a few days. If your bite feels wrong, or if your tooth is very sensitive to cold for more than a week or feels too high, the restoration most probably needs adjustment. Adjustments are fast and do not require anesthetic.
• Call our office, (858) 278-6444, if you are in pain or if you have any questions.

• It is quite common to experience some moderate discomfort and sensitivity to pressure on your tooth after a root canal. Your healing process may require several days, but the discomfort should gradually subside.
• Take medication that was prescribed according to instructions.
• Do not eat until you are no longer numb, otherwise, you could bite your numb lip, cheek, or tongue.
• Do not chew on the tooth for a few days. If you do, it will most likely be somewhat painful. Eat on the other side of your mouth.
• The affected tooth is often lower in height so you will naturally not bite on it. If the tooth has a crown and was not reduced in height, be certain to be careful and only lightly bite on the tooth.
• Normal brushing and flossing should be continued.
• Be sure to return to the office for your permanent restoration. Without its crown, a root canal tooth can become brittle and possibly break. The tooth can be permanently damaged if the final restoration is not completed in a timely manner.
• If you are experiencing a great deal of swelling or are in severe discomfort, or have any questions, please call the office, (858) 278-6444

• On the first day, cleaned areas will most probably be sore and slightly swollen.
• You will probably not need prescription pain medication. If you need something for pain, over-the-counter medications should be adequate.
• Do not eat until you are no longer numb, otherwise, you could bite your numb lip, cheek, or tongue.
• At night, after the cleaning and the next morning, rinse your mouth lightly with Peroxyl or warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt to an 8 oz. glass of warm water).
• Normal brushing and flossing can be continued – gently brushing the cleaned area.
• For a day or two after the cleaning, slight bleeding is normal, especially after brushing. If excessive bleeding is experienced, please call the office.
• If you experience significant discomfort or if you have questions, please call the office, (858) 278-6444

• Some discomfort will most likely occur for a few days with new dentures.
• A few adjustments are usually required so that the dentures completely and comfortably fit your mouth. If you find a sore spot, please call the office for an adjustment.
• Remove the dentures every night and store them in a clean container with water. This allows your gums need to rest and heal during your sleep.
• Before replacing the dentures in your mouth, clean them thoroughly with a brush, soap, and water. Do not use toothpaste for cleaning because a white fluoride film will gradually coat the denture.
• You may have difficulty talking normally with a new denture for a few weeks if you are not an experienced denture wearer. You will need to train yourself to speak properly again. Reading a book or newspaper aloud every day is good for practicing speech. You will talk normally quite soon as your tongue and muscles adjust to the new denture.
• If you are significantly uncomfortable or if you have any questions, please call the office, (858) 278-6444

Our office is equipped and staffed to provide all levels of sedation to help make your dentistry experience easier for you. Sedation allows you to be very relaxed during treatment. You will not remember much of your visit or even your trip home.

BEFORE
1. Do not eat solid foods for a minimum of 6 hours prior to your dental appointment. Food in your stomach may cause vomiting during or after the procedure. Clear fluids are permitted without pulp and without caffeine (water, apple juice, chicken broth, etc.. up to 3 hours before.
2. No smoking on the day of the sedation. Nicotine interferes with your sedation medications. If wearing “the patch” please remove it the day prior to the appointment.
3. Take your usual medications with a sip of water. Do not take your medications, though, if you are Diabetic or you are taking steroids or you take Aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medications. Please contact our office if you have any questions.
4. Wear short sleeves, comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Flat shoes or sneakers, as you may be unsteady following your visit.
5. Please advise our office of any changes in your health such as fever or flu symptoms prior to your appointment.
6. You cannot go home alone. Please give our front desk the phone number(s. of the person who will be escorting you home if we need to call him/her.
7. You will be required to pay for your appointment and sign any paperwork before you receive sedation. Please come prepared.
8. Please remove your contact lenses before attending your appointment.
9. Please remove your dark nail polish on one finger, as it may interfere with the monitoring of your vital signs.

AFTER
1. Patient may seem alert when he/she leaves the office. This may be misleading, so do not leave the patient alone. The patient should not go up and down stairs unattended.
2. A responsible adult must accompany you home. You may be receiving a prescription, for medications, so please ensure that this person is able to fill your prescription, as well.
3. You should not drive, or operate heavy machinery or make any important decisions for the first 24 hours following your sedation visit. Just plan to rest.
4. Drink plenty of fluids after your appointment. No alcoholic beverages for 24 hours. You may eat soft foods which are not too high in fat content, immediately following your appointment. Always have food in your stomach prior to taking any antibiotics or pain-relieving medications.

Patient should be taken directly home and have someone call our office when they arrive to let us know that they are safe and resting comfortably. (858) 278-6444