Information for Patients

  1. Within the first 1-2 days, you may feel sensitivity to cold and hot drinks and foods. It’s best to avoid drinks and foods that are very cold or hot. The sensitivity may last longer if the filling is very big and deep. If the symptoms do not improve, please contact us.
  2. Avoid all food and drink until the anaesthetic wears off completely.
  3. On the day of the filling, chew on the opposite side of your mouth from where the filling was done.
  4. Subsequently, avoid chewing hard and chewy foods on the side of the filling if the filling is very big. In such cases, we may advise you to cap the tooth with a crown to protect it.
  5. Brush and floss your teeth every day to prevent food being stuck between the teeth. This will help prevent dental decay.
  6. Limit snacking and intake of sugary foods and drinks.
  7. If you have a habit of clenching and grinding your teeth at night, please contact your dentist to make a night guard for you to wear to protect your teeth and fillings.
  8. It is advisable to take X-rays to check the fillings every 1-2 years, depending on your oral hygiene.
  1. After the anaesthesia wears off, expect some soreness and swelling around the root area of the treated tooth. Take some painkillers if you have no allergies.
  2. A tooth with a treated root canal is not as strong as an intact tooth. That’s why you should avoid biting hard foods with it.
  3. A tooth with a treated root canal should be restored with a crown to reduce the risk of tooth fracture and/or leakage as soon as possible.
  4. Since the tooth that has undergone a root canal treatment has no nerve and can feel no pain, you won’t have any warning signs, such as pain, in the event of tooth decay. It is therefore very important for you to visit the dentist at least twice a year to check for dental decay.
  5. Care for the tooth with a treated root canal the same way as you care for your healthy teeth.
  6.  The most common cause of re-infection in a tooth that has undergone a root canal treatment is the breakdown of the restoration and leakage. This allows the bacteria to travel back into the root canal of the tooth and infect the area around the root tip. This can lead to abscess, pain and tenderness on biting. A good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups with X-rays are therefore necessary to detect problems early.
  1. The initial healing period usually takes about one to two weeks. Relax as much as possible, and avoid all strenuous activities for the first 48 hours following tooth extraction/surgery.
  2. Bleeding will occur after surgery, and it is not uncommon for blood to ooze for 24-48 hours after the extraction/surgery. Keep in mind that oral bleeding represents a little blood and a lot of saliva. Bite down gently but firmly on the gauze packs that have been placed over the treated areas, making sure they remain in place. Do not change them for the first hour unless the bleeding is not controlled. The packs may be gently removed after one hour. If active bleeding persists, place enough new gauze to apply pressure over the site of the surgery for another 30 minutes. Do not rinse your mouth during the first 6 hours of your extraction/surgery. If possible, swallow your blood and saliva.
  3. Do not disturb the treated area on the day of the extraction/surgery. Do NOT rinse vigorously or probe the area with your tongue or any objects. On the second day, start using the mouth rinse (if prescribed) twice a day up to a period of five days. You may brush your teeth gently. Smoking will retard healing, causing more discomfort and increasing the chances of dry sockets developing. We strongly discourage smoking during the healing phase.
  4. Swelling is normal after surgery and will reach its maximum 2-3 days after surgery. It can be minimized by using a cold pack for the first 8 hours following the extraction/surgery (20 minutes on and 20 minutes off). On the second day, warm compress can be used.
  5. Eat any nourishing food that can be taken with comfort. Avoid extremely hot foods. Do not use a straw for the first few days after surgery. Avoid chewing food until tongue sensation has returned. It is best to avoid foods such as rice, nuts, sunflower seeds, popcorn, etc., which may get lodged in the socket areas. Over the next several days, you may gradually progress to solid foods. It is important not to skip meals! If you take nutritious foods regularly, you will feel better, gain strength, have less discomfort and heal faster.
  6. No drinking alcohol while taking antibiotics.
  7. Make sure you complete the course of antibiotics (if prescribed).
  1. You must have a completely empty stomach. It is vital that you have nothing to eat or drink for six hours prior to your sedation.
  2.  You must be accompanied by a responsible adult to drive you to and from the clinics, and stay with you for several hours until you have recovered sufficiently to care for yourself. During your drive home, your seat in the car should be in the reclined position. When you arrive home, lie down with your head elevated. During recovery time, you should not drive, operate complicated machinery or devices or make important decisions.
  3. Absolutely no alcohol 24 hours before or after treatment.

After Cementation of Crowns/Bridges:

  1. Do not chew on your new crowns/bridges for at least 24 hours after they have been cemented to let the cement gain its maximum strength.
  2. Brush and floss your crown/bridge like your normal teeth. Follow your dentist’s instructions on how to clean under the bridge with either a floss or interdental brush.
  3. For the first few days after you get your crown or bridge, your vital – alive – teeth may experience slight sensitivity to extreme cold/hot foods and drinks.
  4. Regular dental check-ups and X-rays are necessary to reduce the risk of undetected decay underneath the crowns.
  1. Expect some discomfort and/or ulcers in certain areas.
  2. Initially, you may have some difficulties with swallowing and speaking.
  3. Do not compare your new dentures to your old dentures. Remember: your old shoes are always more comfortable than your new shoes.
  4. Be patient, and give yourself time to adapt to the new dentures.
  5. DO NOT wear the dentures if the gums are very painful and ulcerated. If ulcers are present, apply ulcer cream and rinse your mouth with warm salt water 3 times a day. Remember the painful areas, and inform your dentist so he or she can adjust the dentures accordingly. Do not wear your dentures to sleep (unless your dentist specifically tells you to).
  6. Brush your dentures, both the teeth and the fitting surfaces, and place them in a glass of tap water every night.
  7. You may soak your dentures in denture cleansing tablets dissolved in water a few times a week, following manufacturer’s instructions.
  1. Your dentist will inform you how often you should wear your night guard. Follow the instructions.
  2. You must bring your night guard at each review appointment for the dentist to check your bite. Certain night guards have been shown to change the bite after prolonged wear.
  3. Brush your night guard in the morning on the biting and fitting surfaces with tap water.
  4. You may soak your night guard in denture cleansing tablets dissolved in water a few times a week, following manufacturer’s instructions.
  5. In the morning, store your night guard in the container given to you, and leave the lid open to avoid moisture building up, which can result in mould growth.
  1. Expect some soreness and/or ulcers especially after each wire adjustment/change.
  2. Take soft foods after each wire tightening/change.
  3. As teeth start to move, a wire may get longer on one side, poking into the cheek and causing ulcers. Use the wax given to cover the end of the poking wire.
  4. As traditional metal/ceramic braces tend to trap food, brush your teeth after all meals.
  5. Floss your teeth every night before sleeping.
  6. Avoid snacking and sugary foods/drinks to prevent tooth decay.
  7. Avoid hard foods as they’ll break your brackets, delaying the completion of your case.
  8. Do not miss your adjustment appointments. Doing so will delay the completion of your case.
  9. Follow the instructions of your orthodontist, e.g., wearing rubber bands, turning the screw of your appliance, etc.
  1. Your orthodontic retainers have been carefully designed to hold your teeth in their corrected position until they are stable. This retention phase will help maintain a healthy and beautiful smile.
  2. Wear your retainers as directed except during sport activities or eating. Do not follow the instructions of friends wearing retainers. Remember, they ARE NOT your orthodontist!
  3. You may salivate more when you first get them, and your mouth might be sore. This will subside, and your speech will return to normal after a few days of wearing your retainers.
  4. Brush your retainers with toothpaste when you brush your teeth after meals. Occasionally, soak them in denture cleaner.
  5. Avoid exposing them to hot water and sunlight. Do not soak them in mouth wash. The plastic may break down or warp.
  6. Be careful not to “click” them in and out with your tongue. This will weaken the wires and may cause them to break.
  7. When you need to remove your retainers, store them in a retainer case. If you wrap them in a moist napkin, do not just leave them on the table – they may be thrown away by mistake! Remember: your mouth is the safest place to keep your retainers.
  8. Call for an appointment if you lose or break your retainers or have concerns about their fit.

Always remember to

  1. Wear your aligners according to your doctor’s instructions, usually 20-22 hours per day.
  2. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling your aligners.
  3. Handle only one aligner at a time.
  1. Make sure you have the proper aligner: the upper for your top teeth and the lower for your bottom teeth.
  2. To help avoid confusion, each aligner is engraved with your unique case number, the letters “U” for upper and “L” for lower aligner, and the stage number.
  3. You may insert either the upper or lower aligner first. When inserting aligners, gently push them over your front teeth. Then, using your fingertips, apply equal pressure to the tops of your left and right molars until the aligner snaps into place.
  4. Do not bite your aligners into position. This may damage them.
  1. Using your fingertips, start on one side of the molars, and slowly work your way to the other side, gently pulling the aligners off your teeth.
  2. To help prevent damage to the aligners, avoid unnecessary removal.
  3. Do not use any sharp object to remove your aligners, or else you may injure yourself or break the aligners.
  4. Immediately rinse aligner with water, shake off excess water, and store your aligners in the protective case provided with your starter kit. Do not keep your aligners in tissue paper during meal times as they may be thrown away by mistake.
  1. Clean your aligners prior to each insertion. Use a soft bristle toothbrush with water and a small amount of toothpaste.
  2. Do not use denture cleaners to clean aligners. Do not soak them in mouthwash. These products can damage the surface of the aligner, causing it to become dull and more visible.

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