DENTAL FIRST AID
Knocked-out Tooth
Find Tooth and hold by crown only. Rinse tooth, do not rub. Avoid any contact with root and do not allow tooth to dry out. If possible, replace tooth in socket. If you are unable to place back in socket, store tooth in milk, water or between cheek and gum. Seek immediate help from a dentist. Having the tooth replaced in its socket within an hour dramatically increases the chance of successful reimplantation.
Broken Tooth
If tooth is broken from trauma, clean up any soft tissue wounds and apply ice to soft tissue. Save any large tooth fragments for possible reattachment. If there is no bleeding from tooth itself, immediate treatment is not necessary although tooth will be very sensitive to temperature and pressure until repaired. If tooth (not gum) is bleeding, obtain help as soon as possible from a dentist.
If tooth fractures during normal chewing and is not painful, contact a dentist soon for repair. The tooth will not start to hurt if this is treated within a few days. This does not usually require emergency treatment. You may cover any sharp edges with orthodontic wax available at most drug stores.
Broken Filling
If tooth is not painful, this is usually not an emergency situation. Contact a dentist soon to have tooth restored. In the meantime, avoid chewing on that tooth and keep as clean as possible.
Lost or Loose Crown (temporary or permanent)
If a crown is lost, the underlying tooth may be somewhat sensitive but is rarely painful. This is usually not an emergency situation. Contact a dentist within a few days for recementation of crown.
Swollen Gum
Consult with dentist as soon as possible. This is usually indicative of some type of infection and should be evaluated by a professional within a few days for small swellings and immediately for larger swellings.
POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
If you have just had any dental procedure done (as shown below), the following information will help you get through those first few days.
Fillings
*
Please do not chew until anesthetic has worn off.
Chewing with a numb mouth can lead to injury of the
tongue, lips and cheek.
* Some sensitivity to temperature after a filling is placed is normal. This will gradually subside over 1-2 weeks. If the sensitivity persists or gets worse, please contact our office for an evaluation.
* Modern, tooth colored fillings set up immediately, so normal chewing is ok once the numbness wears off.
* Some sensitivity to temperature after a filling is placed is normal. This will gradually subside over 1-2 weeks. If the sensitivity persists or gets worse, please contact our office for an evaluation.
* Modern, tooth colored fillings set up immediately, so normal chewing is ok once the numbness wears off.
Extractions
Care
of Mouth after an Extraction:
* DO NOT RINSE MOUTH TODAY. Tomorrow rinse mouth gently every 3 to 4 hours (especially after meals) using one-quarter teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water. Continue rinses for several days.
* BLEEDING. Following extractions some bleeding is to be expected. If persistent bleeding occurs, place gauze pads over bleeding area and bite down firmly for-one half hour. Repeat if necessary
* SWELLING. Ice bag or chopped ice wrapped in a towel should be applied to operated area-one half hour on and one-half hour off for 4 to 5 hours.
* PAIN. For mild to average pain use any aspirin-type of medication you like. 2 tablets of Advil or Nuprin every 4 hours work well.
* FOOD. Soft diet is advised during the first 24 hours.
* BONY EDGES. Small sharp bone fragments may work up through the gums during healing. These are not roots; if annoying, return to this office for their simple removal.
* Refrain from smoking until healing is complete as smoking impedes proper healing.
* If any unusual symptoms occur, call the office at once.
* The proper care following oral surgical procedures will hasten recovery and prevent complications.
* DO NOT RINSE MOUTH TODAY. Tomorrow rinse mouth gently every 3 to 4 hours (especially after meals) using one-quarter teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water. Continue rinses for several days.
* BLEEDING. Following extractions some bleeding is to be expected. If persistent bleeding occurs, place gauze pads over bleeding area and bite down firmly for-one half hour. Repeat if necessary
* SWELLING. Ice bag or chopped ice wrapped in a towel should be applied to operated area-one half hour on and one-half hour off for 4 to 5 hours.
* PAIN. For mild to average pain use any aspirin-type of medication you like. 2 tablets of Advil or Nuprin every 4 hours work well.
* FOOD. Soft diet is advised during the first 24 hours.
* BONY EDGES. Small sharp bone fragments may work up through the gums during healing. These are not roots; if annoying, return to this office for their simple removal.
* Refrain from smoking until healing is complete as smoking impedes proper healing.
* If any unusual symptoms occur, call the office at once.
* The proper care following oral surgical procedures will hasten recovery and prevent complications.
Temporary Crowns or Bridges
You
have just received a plastic restoration that will
serve you for a short period of time. A few comments
about this temporary restoration will be helpful to
you.
CHEWING:
* The temporary cement requires one-half hour to set. Please do not chew during that period of time.
* Please avoid chewing on temporary as much as possible until the final restoration is placed.
* Temporary restorations are not strong. They may break or come off occasionally. If so, call us and we will replace them. If you are not where you can contact us, go to the pharmacy and get some FIXODENT. Replace the temporary on your tooth with some FIXODENT holding it in place. This denture adhesive will retain the temporary restoration until you can see us. PLEASE NO NOT LEAVE THE TEMPORARY RESTORATION OUT OF YOUR MOUTH, BECAUSE THE TEETH WILL MOVE AND THE FINAL RESTORATION WILL NOT FIT.
* Certain foods will stick to the temporary restoration. This will not happen with the porcelain or gold restoration to be cemented soon.
COLOR:
The color of the plastic temporary does not resemble the final restoration in any way.
SHAPE, SIZE:
The anatomy of the plastic temporary does not resemble the final restoration in any way.
TOOTH SENSITIVITY:
Temporary restorations may leak saliva or food into the tooth. Sensitivity to cold, hot, or sweets is common. This will NOT be the case with your later restoration.
Please call us if you have any questions or problems.
CHEWING:
* The temporary cement requires one-half hour to set. Please do not chew during that period of time.
* Please avoid chewing on temporary as much as possible until the final restoration is placed.
* Temporary restorations are not strong. They may break or come off occasionally. If so, call us and we will replace them. If you are not where you can contact us, go to the pharmacy and get some FIXODENT. Replace the temporary on your tooth with some FIXODENT holding it in place. This denture adhesive will retain the temporary restoration until you can see us. PLEASE NO NOT LEAVE THE TEMPORARY RESTORATION OUT OF YOUR MOUTH, BECAUSE THE TEETH WILL MOVE AND THE FINAL RESTORATION WILL NOT FIT.
* Certain foods will stick to the temporary restoration. This will not happen with the porcelain or gold restoration to be cemented soon.
COLOR:
The color of the plastic temporary does not resemble the final restoration in any way.
SHAPE, SIZE:
The anatomy of the plastic temporary does not resemble the final restoration in any way.
TOOTH SENSITIVITY:
Temporary restorations may leak saliva or food into the tooth. Sensitivity to cold, hot, or sweets is common. This will NOT be the case with your later restoration.
Please call us if you have any questions or problems.
Root Canal Therapy (RCT)
Information
About Your Endodontic Treatment
We strive to make your dental treatment as comfortable as possible. A few comments about endodontic treatment will be helpful to you.
1. Sensitivity: Usually root canal therapy takes 1-3 appointments. After each appointment it is normal for the tooth to be tender to pressure and the gum to be sore for 1-2 days. Taking Tylenol or Advil will help relieve this discomfort. Any swelling or severe ache should be reported to our office right away
2. Chewing: Until a final restoration is placed, a temporary filling will be in your tooth and the tooth will be in a weakened state. To avoid further breakdown of the tooth, please avoid chewing on the tooth until the final restoration is placed. You may feel small pieces of the temporary filling come out. This is usually not a problem.
3. Treatment Completion: Once a root canal is started it is imperative that it be completed within a short period of time. Waiting months in between visits invite reinfection and further pain in the tooth. It is also important to have the final restoration, usually a post and crown, placed as soon as possible to prevent fracture of the tooth.
4. The Future: Once the root canal and final restoration are successfully placed, your tooth will function normally for a long time. You may have some tenderness in the gum around the tooth for up to 6 months as your tissue heals. Otherwise you should have no sensitivity and you should be able to chew comfortably on the tooth.
Please call if you have any questions.
We strive to make your dental treatment as comfortable as possible. A few comments about endodontic treatment will be helpful to you.
1. Sensitivity: Usually root canal therapy takes 1-3 appointments. After each appointment it is normal for the tooth to be tender to pressure and the gum to be sore for 1-2 days. Taking Tylenol or Advil will help relieve this discomfort. Any swelling or severe ache should be reported to our office right away
2. Chewing: Until a final restoration is placed, a temporary filling will be in your tooth and the tooth will be in a weakened state. To avoid further breakdown of the tooth, please avoid chewing on the tooth until the final restoration is placed. You may feel small pieces of the temporary filling come out. This is usually not a problem.
3. Treatment Completion: Once a root canal is started it is imperative that it be completed within a short period of time. Waiting months in between visits invite reinfection and further pain in the tooth. It is also important to have the final restoration, usually a post and crown, placed as soon as possible to prevent fracture of the tooth.
4. The Future: Once the root canal and final restoration are successfully placed, your tooth will function normally for a long time. You may have some tenderness in the gum around the tooth for up to 6 months as your tissue heals. Otherwise you should have no sensitivity and you should be able to chew comfortably on the tooth.
Please call if you have any questions.
Partial Dentures
Information
About Your New Removable Partial Dentures
We have done our best to provide you with well fitted, functional, and esthetic artificial dentures. We feel confident that after a few weeks of becoming adjusted to the new dentures, you will have years of satisfaction and use from them. The following information will be helpful to you at this time:
1: Your first few weeks: Dentures always feel strange when first placed in your mouth. Several days or weeks will be required for you to feel accustomed to them.
2: Sore Spots: Usually, your mouth will have a few sore spots after wearing the dentures for the first day. The sore areas can be eliminated in a few appointments. Using a product called ORABASE with benzocaine on these spots will provide some relief until the sore spots can be eliminated.
3: Chewing: The new “bite” or occlusion will not feel comfortable for a period of days. We may adjust the contacting surfaces of your teeth after the dentures have “settled” into place.
4: Cleaning the dentures and your mouth: Your dentures can be cleaned easily by using a toothbrush and a denture toothpaste or regular hand soap. Use special care to clean parts of the partial that contact your natural teeth. Both the partial denture and the natural teeth must be kept very clean on a daily basis to reduce the chance of new dental decay starting. We recommend leaving your dentures out at night. Leave them soaking in water or in a commercial denture soak.
5: The Future: Your jaw bone and gums shrink up to 1/32 of an inch per year when your teeth are missing. This is one of the main disadvantages of artificial dentures. Because of this shrinkage, you should plan to have your dentures and oral tissues evaluated every 6 months. We will inform you when relining of the dentures is necessary. Wearing ill fitting dentures for too long without refitting can cause severe bone loss.
We look forward to helping you adjust to and enjoy your new partial dentures.
We have done our best to provide you with well fitted, functional, and esthetic artificial dentures. We feel confident that after a few weeks of becoming adjusted to the new dentures, you will have years of satisfaction and use from them. The following information will be helpful to you at this time:
1: Your first few weeks: Dentures always feel strange when first placed in your mouth. Several days or weeks will be required for you to feel accustomed to them.
2: Sore Spots: Usually, your mouth will have a few sore spots after wearing the dentures for the first day. The sore areas can be eliminated in a few appointments. Using a product called ORABASE with benzocaine on these spots will provide some relief until the sore spots can be eliminated.
3: Chewing: The new “bite” or occlusion will not feel comfortable for a period of days. We may adjust the contacting surfaces of your teeth after the dentures have “settled” into place.
4: Cleaning the dentures and your mouth: Your dentures can be cleaned easily by using a toothbrush and a denture toothpaste or regular hand soap. Use special care to clean parts of the partial that contact your natural teeth. Both the partial denture and the natural teeth must be kept very clean on a daily basis to reduce the chance of new dental decay starting. We recommend leaving your dentures out at night. Leave them soaking in water or in a commercial denture soak.
5: The Future: Your jaw bone and gums shrink up to 1/32 of an inch per year when your teeth are missing. This is one of the main disadvantages of artificial dentures. Because of this shrinkage, you should plan to have your dentures and oral tissues evaluated every 6 months. We will inform you when relining of the dentures is necessary. Wearing ill fitting dentures for too long without refitting can cause severe bone loss.
We look forward to helping you adjust to and enjoy your new partial dentures.
Dentures
Information
About Your New Complete Dentures
We have done our best to provide you with well fitted, functional, and esthetic artificial dentures. We feel confident that after a few weeks of becoming adjusted to the new dentures, you will have years of satisfaction and use from them. The following information will be helpful to you at this time.
* Your first few weeks: New dentures always feel strange when first placed in your mouth. Several days or weeks will be required to feel accustomed to them.
* Sore Spots: Usually, your mouth will have a few sore spots after wearing the denture for the first day. These sore areas can be eliminated in a few appointments. Using a product called ORABASE with benzocaine on these spots will provide some relief until the sore spots can be eliminated.
* Chewing: The new “bite” or occlusion will not feel comfortable for a period of days. We may adjust the contacting surfaces of your teeth after the dentures have “settled” into place.
* Cleaning the dentures and your mouth: Your dentures can be cleaned easily by using a toothbrush and a denture toothpaste or regular hand soap. You may also brush your gums with a regular toothbrush to toughen and clean them. We recommend leaving your dentures out at night. Leave them soaking in water or in a commercial denture soak.
* The Future: Your jaw bone and gums shrink up to 1/32 of an inch per year when your teeth are missing. This is one of the main disadvantages of artificial dentures. Because of this shrinkage, you should plan to have your dentures and oral tissues evaluated every 6 months. We will inform you when relining of the dentures is necessary. Wearing ill fitting dentures for too long without refitting can cause severs bone loss.
We look forward to helping you adjust to and enjoy your new dentures.
We have done our best to provide you with well fitted, functional, and esthetic artificial dentures. We feel confident that after a few weeks of becoming adjusted to the new dentures, you will have years of satisfaction and use from them. The following information will be helpful to you at this time.
* Your first few weeks: New dentures always feel strange when first placed in your mouth. Several days or weeks will be required to feel accustomed to them.
* Sore Spots: Usually, your mouth will have a few sore spots after wearing the denture for the first day. These sore areas can be eliminated in a few appointments. Using a product called ORABASE with benzocaine on these spots will provide some relief until the sore spots can be eliminated.
* Chewing: The new “bite” or occlusion will not feel comfortable for a period of days. We may adjust the contacting surfaces of your teeth after the dentures have “settled” into place.
* Cleaning the dentures and your mouth: Your dentures can be cleaned easily by using a toothbrush and a denture toothpaste or regular hand soap. You may also brush your gums with a regular toothbrush to toughen and clean them. We recommend leaving your dentures out at night. Leave them soaking in water or in a commercial denture soak.
* The Future: Your jaw bone and gums shrink up to 1/32 of an inch per year when your teeth are missing. This is one of the main disadvantages of artificial dentures. Because of this shrinkage, you should plan to have your dentures and oral tissues evaluated every 6 months. We will inform you when relining of the dentures is necessary. Wearing ill fitting dentures for too long without refitting can cause severs bone loss.
We look forward to helping you adjust to and enjoy your new dentures.
TMJ Problems
SELF
MANAGEMENT FOR TMJ/JAW PAIN AND GRINDING/CLENCHING
We use our mouths for many activities: talking, eating, yawning, and laughing. When we are not engaged in these, we need to allow our jaw muscles and joints to relax. Many people have developed habits that do not permit their jaw muscles or joints to relax sufficiently. The steps listed below will help you learn how to relax these muscles and joints, thereby reducing your discomfort and destruction of your joints and teeth.
* Reduce Stress. Identify areas of stress in your life and try to reduce this stress. This step alone will help relieve many symptoms associated with TMJ and jaw muscle problems.
* Eat soft foods. Confine your diet to soft foods such as casseroles, canned fruits, soups, eggs, yogurt, and Carnation instant breakfast. Do not chew gum or eat hard foods (such as raw carrots) or chewy foods (such as caramels, steak, or bagels). Cut other foods into small pieces, and chew on both sides of your mouth to reduce the strain on one side.
* Rest your jaw muscles. Keep your teeth apart and practice good posture. When you’re not chewing, your teeth should never touch (except occasionally when you swallow). Closely monitor your jaw position for signs of clenching. Try placing your tongue lightly on the top of your mouth behind your upper front teeth, allowing the teeth to come apart and relaxing the jaw muscles.
* Avoid caffeine. Caffeine stimulates your muscles to contract and to become more tense. Caffeine or caffeine like drugs are in coffee, tea most sodas, and chocolate.
* Watch your habits. Avoid oral habits that put strain on the jaw muscles, joints and teeth. These include clenching or grinding your teeth; touching or resting your teeth together; biting or chewing on your cheeks, lips, pencils, pens, fingernails, chewing gum, pushing tour tongue against your teeth; and tensing your jaw.
* Sleep smart. Avoid sleeping habits that strain your jaw muscles and joints. Don’t sleep on your stomach. Don’t sleep with your hand under your jaw.
* Don’t open wide. Avoid activities that involve opening the jaw wide including yawning, yelling, and prolonged dental treatments.
* Use medications. Use anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing medications like Advil, Nuprin, Aleve or Tylenol to reduce joint and muscle pain. Avoid medications with caffeine such as Anacin, Excedrin or Vanquish.
* Use hot or cold packs. Apply moist heat, ice or a combination of both to the painful area. Most people prefer heat, but if that increases your pain, use either the combination or ice alone. Apply moist heat for 20 minutes two to four times each day. Wet a towel with very warm water, keeping it warm by wrapping it around a hot water bottle or by placing a piece of plastic wrap and a heating pad over it. The towel can also be rewarmed in the microwave oven or under very warm tap water.
Use the combination of heat and ice two to four times each day. Apply the heat as recommended above for 10 minutes, then lightly brush the painful area with an ice cube wrapped in a thin washcloth. Repeat this sequence four or five times.
We use our mouths for many activities: talking, eating, yawning, and laughing. When we are not engaged in these, we need to allow our jaw muscles and joints to relax. Many people have developed habits that do not permit their jaw muscles or joints to relax sufficiently. The steps listed below will help you learn how to relax these muscles and joints, thereby reducing your discomfort and destruction of your joints and teeth.
* Reduce Stress. Identify areas of stress in your life and try to reduce this stress. This step alone will help relieve many symptoms associated with TMJ and jaw muscle problems.
* Eat soft foods. Confine your diet to soft foods such as casseroles, canned fruits, soups, eggs, yogurt, and Carnation instant breakfast. Do not chew gum or eat hard foods (such as raw carrots) or chewy foods (such as caramels, steak, or bagels). Cut other foods into small pieces, and chew on both sides of your mouth to reduce the strain on one side.
* Rest your jaw muscles. Keep your teeth apart and practice good posture. When you’re not chewing, your teeth should never touch (except occasionally when you swallow). Closely monitor your jaw position for signs of clenching. Try placing your tongue lightly on the top of your mouth behind your upper front teeth, allowing the teeth to come apart and relaxing the jaw muscles.
* Avoid caffeine. Caffeine stimulates your muscles to contract and to become more tense. Caffeine or caffeine like drugs are in coffee, tea most sodas, and chocolate.
* Watch your habits. Avoid oral habits that put strain on the jaw muscles, joints and teeth. These include clenching or grinding your teeth; touching or resting your teeth together; biting or chewing on your cheeks, lips, pencils, pens, fingernails, chewing gum, pushing tour tongue against your teeth; and tensing your jaw.
* Sleep smart. Avoid sleeping habits that strain your jaw muscles and joints. Don’t sleep on your stomach. Don’t sleep with your hand under your jaw.
* Don’t open wide. Avoid activities that involve opening the jaw wide including yawning, yelling, and prolonged dental treatments.
* Use medications. Use anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing medications like Advil, Nuprin, Aleve or Tylenol to reduce joint and muscle pain. Avoid medications with caffeine such as Anacin, Excedrin or Vanquish.
* Use hot or cold packs. Apply moist heat, ice or a combination of both to the painful area. Most people prefer heat, but if that increases your pain, use either the combination or ice alone. Apply moist heat for 20 minutes two to four times each day. Wet a towel with very warm water, keeping it warm by wrapping it around a hot water bottle or by placing a piece of plastic wrap and a heating pad over it. The towel can also be rewarmed in the microwave oven or under very warm tap water.
Use the combination of heat and ice two to four times each day. Apply the heat as recommended above for 10 minutes, then lightly brush the painful area with an ice cube wrapped in a thin washcloth. Repeat this sequence four or five times.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call during office hours or after hours/weekends, (708) 258-6281.
DENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION LINKS
American Dental Association - Extensive database of dental topics from the American Dental Association
Academy of General Dentistry - Information for the consumer
Illinois State Dental Society - Information on dangers of soft drinks to oral health
Center for Disease Control - Informative website on all current health issues
Dental Health Online - Answers to common dental health questions