The essential guide to maintaining good oral hygiene after dental work.

Some bleeding can be expected from under the denture. Gently rinse your mouth with warm water, leaving the denture in place as often as needed.

Sore spots will occur due to changes in the tissue after the denture is placed. After the first week, dentures should be taken out at night (always) for best tissue health. Appointments will be made as needed to relieve soreness. Sometimes several appointments may be required. If not excessively uncomfortable, continue to wear the dentures until the adjustments can be made. Otherwise, remove dentures and use warm salt-water rinses several times a day.

Initial looseness may be experienced. The stability of dentures depends mainly on the nature of the supporting tissues, which varies among individuals. Adequate ridges are necessary for maximum stability. The harmonious interaction of dentures with the mouth's environment requires a few days for the best fit to be achieved.

A denture is a substitute for "Nature's Own" and will not be as efficient. It requires time and patience, like adjusting to new glasses. One must relearn to chew by practicing with the dentures. Speech likewise requires some practice. Find a quiet place and practice reading aloud to yourself for a few minutes several times a day.

We will work closely to help you adjust to your new dentures. Keep in touch. There is no substitute for communication. Any problem you are having has been experienced before with new dentures, and our interest is in serving you.

If gauze pads are placed over the surgical sites, change every 20-30 minutes until the bleeding stops. Biting down firmly will help the bleeding to stop quicker. Oozing is not uncommon for 8-10 hours following surgery. Remove the gauze to eat, then replace it with new ones when finished. Do not go to sleep with gauze in. Remove the gauze and place a towel over your pillow.

Keeping your body well nourished is essential to aid the healing process. Eat cold, soft foods the day of surgery (milkshakes, ice cream, jello, pudding, yogurt, etc.) Switch to warm, soft foods for the next five days (scrambled eggs, soup, oatmeal, etc.) and then return to your regular diet. Avoid drinking through a straw for one week. Avoid carbonated beverages for one week.

Pain medication, if required, should be taken 45 minutes after eating. Start off taking just one pill; you can take a second one 45 minutes later if you feel you need it and the first one has not upset your stomach. Avoid alcohol while taking pain medications. Do not drive, use dangerous machinery, or make important decisions while taking pain medication.

Continue gently brushing your teeth after each meal, even on the day of surgery. Use a moist Q-tip instead of a toothbrush near the surgical areas. Keeping your mouth free of bacteria will also help the healing process.

Rest is desirable for two to three days—usually, swelling peaks around the third day after surgery.

Discomfort immediately after treatment is usually a slight throbbing or aching and may be uncomfortable enough to require a mild analgesic such as Ibuprofen (Advil) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol). This discomfort should not be severe and should subside in a few hours to a few days.

Typically, patients may experience a slight throbbing or aching sensation immediately following treatment, which may potentially cause discomfort requiring mild analgesics like Ibuprofen (Advil) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol). It is important to note that this discomfort is not expected to be severe and should resolve within a few hours to a few days.

Teeth may be sensitive to temperature change and/or sweets. The temperature sensitivity may be intense for the first several days and usually diminishes quickly. If tooth sensitivity persists beyond two weeks, a desensitizing toothpaste containing potassium nitrate (Sensodyne, Prevident – dispensed from our office) should be used twice daily. Occasionally, a professional application of a desensitizing agent is required.

Some slight bleeding may occur during the next several brushings, but the bleeding should steadily decrease after two or three days.

Chewing hard foods, such as chewy meat or hard vegetables, may be uncomfortable initially, but this should only last a few days. A diet of a softer consistency would be advised until chewing becomes more comfortable.

Brush your teeth gently but thoroughly using a toothbrush that has been softened by holding it under warm water for thirty seconds. Warm salt water rinses (1 tsp salt per cup of warm water) or antimicrobial mouthwash can be used to rinse the mouth twice daily. The day after cleaning, begin flossing at least once daily.

The upkeep of gum health can be sustained through diligent home care and scheduled professional care. After deep dental cleanings, patients typically observe a reduction in gum tissue redness, bleeding, and swelling. Immediately after the appointment, patients may experience the following effects: