Better patient care extends well beyond the dental chair
Get the download here on how to take better care after your treatment with us.
As a patient of Dentists on the Gold Coast, your health and wellbeing is important to us.
That’s why we’ve put together these resources for you.
If you have any concerns regarding your post-operative healing, call us immediately. We are here to help.
- Extraction
- Fillings
- Crowns and Bridges
- Root canal treatment
- Teeth cleaning
- Braces
- Gum surgery
- Dentures
Our post-operative healing
Pressure should be placed on the gauze pad on the extraction site for one hour. If bleeding continues, new gauze should be placed and pressure applied for another 20 minutes.
If you are supervising children who have had an extraction done, ensure they refrain from biting on their numb lips or tongue, as this can cause serious injury to soft tissue.
Avoid eating or drinking anything hot on the day of the extraction. Refrain from rinsing your mouth or using a straw to drink. Do not spit and do not drink carbonated beverages.
Do not brush on the day of the surgery. Gentle brushing and flossing can be resumed the following day.
Some pain may be experienced, together with bruising around lips, and/or some swelling, especially after extraction of impacted wisdom teeth. Ice bag application and medication will help to minimize discomfort.
Taking pain relief in the form of Nurofen or paracetamol prior to the anaesthetic wearing off will help to minimise discomfort. Follow the recommended dosage as advised on the packaging.
DO NOT take Aspirin or aspirin based medication unless prescribed by your doctor.
Please take all prescribed medication in accordance with instructions outlined by your doctor.
In the first two to three days after surgery, follow a diet of soft food and liquids (e.g. soup, yogurt, milkshakes, and juice).
After the first day, rinse your mouth out with warm salt water, especially after meals. This will help keep the area clean and free of food debris.
DO NOT smoke or consume alcohol in the 48 hours after your procedure as this will minimise the risk of post-operative complications such as a dry socket or infection.
And please call us if you experience excessive bleeding, severe pain or swelling, or if you have any questions or concerns.
Do not eat on a new filling for at least one hour and until all numbness has gone.
If you are supervising children who had fillings done, ensure they do not bite on their numb lips or tongue, as it can cause serious injury to soft tissue.
Cold and heat sensitivity and some gum soreness may be experienced, however this usually subsides within a few days.
Call our office if you experience pain or discomfort for more than a few days after the filling, or if you have any questions.
Call our office if you experience pain or discomfort for more than a few days after the filling, or if you have any questions.
Crowns and bridges usually take a number of appointments to complete, so symptoms may vary depending on the stage of delivery.
Sensitivity, gum soreness, and slight discomfort on the tooth/teeth may be experienced, however this should subside after placement of the permanent crown(s).
Whenever anesthesia is used, avoid chewing on teeth until the numbness has worn off.
A temporary crown is usually made of plastic-based material. Be mindful this can break if too much pressure is placed on it. The crown may also come off; if it does, save the crown and call our office. The temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth and prevent other teeth from moving. If it comes off it, should be replaced as soon as possible.
To avoid losing the temporary crown, do not chew on sticky or hard food (chewing gum, ice). As far as possible, try chewing on the opposite side of the temporary as much as possible.
Continue normal brushing, but avoid flossing around the temporaries.
After the permanent restoration is placed slight pressure may be felt for a few days and the bite may feel different for a day or two. If after this period, the bite still feels uneven or discomfort when chewing on the tooth continues, call our office. Delaying the necessary adjustments may damage the tooth permanently. Hot and cold sensitivity is common post cementation of the restoration.
Call our office if you are in pain or if you have any questions.
Moderate pain and sensitivity to pressure on the tooth may be experienced, as could gum soreness for few days following treatment. The healing process may take several days, but pain and discomfort should subside gradually.
Take any medication prescribed by your dentist.
As a temporary filling will probably have been placed on the tooth, do not bite on the tooth for one hour and while numbness continues. Until the permanent restoration is placed, be very gentle with the tooth. Try to chew with the opposite side.
Continue brushing and flossing.
Follow up as advised by your dentist with the placement of the permanent restoration. Any unnecessary delay in placement of final restoration may damage the tooth permanently.
Call our office if you experience severe pain or swelling, or if you have any questions
Some cold and heat sensitivity (especially after deep cleaning) may be experienced.
If anesthesia has been administered, do not eat anything until the numbness has worn off.
Continue regular brushing and flossing.
Some bleeding for a day or two after cleaning is normal, however if you experience excessive bleeding, call our office.
Some pressure and discomfort on your teeth may be experienced.
Be gentle with braces and avoid chewing hard and/or sticky food.
Brushing and flossing around braces is sometimes challenging and time consuming, but very important.
call our office if you have any questions.
Some pain, swelling, and bleeding after the surgery may be experienced.
Take all medication in accordance with prescribed instructions.
Apply an ice bag over the surgical site on the day of surgery for ten minutes on and five minutes off.
DO NOT raise your lips with your fingers to inspect the treated area.
DO NOT brush teeth near the surgical site. Brush teeth in the rest of your mouth.
There is often a temporary loss of feeling in the operated area and the tooth may feel loose.
Do not smoke, spit, or use a straw on the day of the surgery (avoid smoking for a few days after the surgery).
Should any difficulties occur, call our office.
Expect to experience some discomfort with any new denture for a few days. All new dentures need several adjustments to completely and comfortably fit your mouth.
Dentures should be removed every night and be kept in a clean container filled with water or denture cleaning solution. Your gums need to rest and be without the dentures every day for a period of time.
Clean dentures thoroughly with a brush and water before putting them back in your mouth.
It may be difficult to talk normally with the new dentures for a few days. One way to practice is to read a book or newspaper out loud for a period of time. Gradually, your tongue and muscles will adjust to the new dentures and very soon you’ll be back to normal.
Call our office if you are experiencing pain, discomfort, or if you have any questions.
